“Yes.”
“I don’t know much about sewing, but he was well-made.”
Taylor flashed me an appreciative smile. Then his brows knitted in concentration as he worked. He was clearly skilled in his craft. It suddenly struck me that hobbies or interests were something I never had the opportunity to indulge. It was all battle training, all the time.
And for what? Nothing except rapid reflexes and a quickness to fight that I didn’t even want. How much time had the tundra clan stolen from me?
“Taylor,” I said slowly.
“Hm?”
“Can you do whatever you want here?”
He penciled measurements in a small notebook. “How so?”
I felt embarrassed at my ignorance and stupid questions.
“What is your life like?” I asked. “Here, on the island, mated to a dragon. Can you do whatever you please, whenever you want?”
Taylor paused, looking at me with concern. “Yes, of course.” He measured my waist, then jotted more notes down. He seemed accepting of my large gut, which made me feel even more comfortable with him. “And when you live here, you can do the same.”
Embarrassed heat flooded my cheeks. “So, you know about me and Saffron?”
The corner of Taylor’s mouth curled up. “Everybody knows. It’s not rocket science. We can all see how you two look at each other.”
I recalled Poppy had said the same thing. “Is it that obvious?” I mumbled.
Taylor let out a laugh. “You sound like me when I first arrived here. The last thing I wanted to do was fall in love with a dragon. Now here I am.”
That surprised me. “Really? I thought I was the only person who was…” I trailed off, not knowing the right word.
“Stubborn? Emotionally stunted?” Taylor offered with a knowing grin. “You’re not alone, Rorik. Not anymore.” He walked over to his large crafting table and hauled out a roll of rustic blue fabric. “In fact, get used to never having alone time unless you ask. Dragons are clingy, even the ones you’re not mated to. Add the gaggle of kids, and there’s always a commotion.”
I blinked, taking in his statement. I was never really alone in the tundra clan—the crowded barracks made sure of that—but Taylor spoke of it in a positive way.
“Do you enjoy it?” I asked, wanting to make sure.
Taylor’s back was turned to me as he cut the fabric, but I heard the smile in his voice. “It took me a while to get used to, but yeah. The noise and footsteps and background laughter and group hugs… they grow on you.” He pinned the fabric together, then ran it through a loud metal machine with practiced ease. The process took about ten minutes. “There we go. It’s not perfect, but it’ll do.”
I was stunned when Taylor stood up and revealed a completed jumpsuit. The fabric was a dark denim, complete with silver trim and buttons that reminded me of glinting ice. I didn’t know how Taylor sewed a garment so fast, or how he made a jumpsuit look so fashionable, but he did.
As Taylor handed it to me, I was at a loss for words. Did I deserve this kindness?
“I… I don’t know what to say,” I murmured. “Thank you.”
Taylor looked bashful. He cleared his throat. “Don’t worry about it. If I had more time, I could’ve whipped you up a pair of underwear, too. But it is what it is.”
I got the hint:Don’t get horny at dinner.
When I was around Saffron, that was easier said than done.
Taylor ledme downstairs to the restaurant, which turned out to be the same room Cobalt and Jade interrogated me in. As if I wasn’t anxious enough. But the room looked different from that awful afternoon. Now it was decorated with candles, adding a warm glow to the newly placed tables, chairs, and food.
My nerves were frayed. I didn’tdodinners. I shoveled supper into my mouth with an old spoon, or ate it raw with my bear muzzle. What if I totally fucked this up?
“Here it is. I’ll leave you to it,” Taylor said, patting my arm as he turned to leave. “Good luck.”
Why did he wish me luck? Was it that obvious I was totally out of my element?
