“I have seen them, but I haven’t had time to enjoy them, so I’d love that,” Palmer said softly.He unhooked his arm from Rune’s, which briefly made Rune wonder if he’d done something wrong.When Palmer linked their fingers together, though, he knew that wasn’t the case.
Palmer was making this public.He wanted people to know that the two of them were together.They were holding hands and walking down the hallways, and anyone walking past them would know that they were together.
Rune loved it.
He knew he’d made the right decision when they reached the garden, and Palmer’s shoulders instantly relaxed.He took a deep breath, maybe to smell the flowers, and his whole body went loose.Rune desperately wanted to protect that.He never wanted Palmer to be stressed or to have to fear that he was going to lose patients.It was unrealistic, but Rune supposed that a lot of things were unrealistic when love was involved.
Because that was what would happen between them.If they let this thing grow, they would fall in love.As much as it scared Rune, he was also eager to see what that looked like.It had been a long time since he’d had feelings like these for anyone, but even then, it hadn’t felt like this.
It hadn’t felt like forever.
They walked in silence, and Rune was happy to give Palmer space.There weren’t a lot of people in the garden since most were in the dining hall with their families, but they did cross paths with a few dragons.Most of them didn’t seem to be bothered by who they were and what they were doing.They didn’t stop to ask questions or to stare.Maybe people really wouldn’t care.Well, Pearl would, but she was an outlier.
“I like this,” Palmer eventually said, squeezing Rune’s fingers.“And I needed it.Thank you.”
“You did need it,” Rune agreed.“I don’t think I’ve seen you this relaxed, well, ever.”
Palmer snickered.“Nothing’s helped me relax since I arrived at the palace.It’s been complicated to say the least.”
“I know.I’m not going to say that everything is perfect now, but I like to think that things are better.”
Palmer’s expression turned more serious.“They are.I’m relieved I don’t have to worry about Twig, Ash, and Yorga anymore.They’ll all be okay, and nothing I did hurt them permanently.”
“Of course not.”
Palmer shook his head.“I know it’s useless to point out that Ididmake their situation worse before it got better.You’re just going to find an excuse for me.”
“Because you have nothing to blame yourself for.You didn’t know they were being poisoned, and you didn’t cause their suffering.Pearl did.”
Palmer slowly nodded.“She’s one of the reasons I’m still hesitant about us.”
Rune wasn’t surprised.“I can’t promise that she won’t try anything else.In fact, I’m pretty sure I can promise that shewill.Are you going to let that stop you, though?”
“I probably should.It would be safer for both of us.”
“You’d let her win?”
“It’s not about her winning.It’s about us being safe.”
“I’ll keep you safe,” Rune promised.
“But what I want isn’t a bodyguard.What I want is a partner.”
Rune stopped walking and turned to face Palmer.“And that’s what I want to give you.Being your partner will sometimes mean protecting you when I can, just like you’ll protect me, maybe in different ways, but still.”
Palmer stared, and Rune told himself not to fidget.This was a big decision for both of them.Rune had taken the time to think about it, and he knew what he wanted and what he was ready for, but Palmer had been busy.He’d barely made the time to have regular meals.
“All right,” Palmer said.
Rune blinked.“All right?”
“You’re right.As much as I want nothing to do with Pearl, I also don’t want to let her rule my life.She has no say in who I’m with, even though you’re her brother.The only one who decides is you, and you seem to want to be with me.”
Rune pressed closer.“I do.”
“And I want to be with you.”
“That sounds like there’s an easy way to go about this.”
