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Matthias thought of the night he’d shared with Thorne and Samuel. They had definitely taken care of him, but again, that wasn’t something he wanted to tell Parker. “I do have people,” he admitted. “You don’t have to worry about me being alone anymore.”

“Are you going to tell me who?”

Parker wasn’t pushing. He would back down if Matthias told him he wasn’t ready, but Matthias suspected he would never be ready. It wasn’t an easy thing to say when he didn’t know how his best friend would react, but it had to be said.

He licked his lips and looked down at his plate. Then, he glanced at Tyne, who might as well not have been there. Now that Matthias was looking more carefully, he could see that the man had earbuds in. He definitely wouldn’t hear what Matthias was about to say.

“Fine,” he murmured, twisting his napkin between his fingers. “You know I’ve been spending a lot of time with Thorne and Samuel.”

“I do know. That’s why I’m asking,” Parker said, nodding and still smiling.

“Well, it’s both of them. I’m dating both of them.”

Parker blinked. “As in you’re cheating on one of them with the other?”

Matthias gaped at his best friend. “Of course not. I would never do that.”

“I know. That’s why I ruled it out. I just had to ask.”

“Because me dating both of them at the same time sounds crazy, right?”

“Look, I don’t know what’s going on in your head, but it wouldn’t be crazy because I don’t think you could choose between those two men. It’s not something I expected from you, or from anyone else, to be honest. It’s not something we’re used to seeing, you know?”

“Apparently, it’s pretty common in dragon clans.”

“Maybe, but I don’t remember mine. The life I remember has been spent with humans, and three people being together isn’t that common. As long as you’re happy, though, I don’t care who you’re dating. You could be dating Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, and I would be happy for you.”

Matthias bit his lower lip. “Who would Santa Claus be in this scenario?”

“Definitely Thorne.”

That was true, and Matthias had to work hard not to giggle like an idiot.

He was relieved. He hadn’t really thought that Parker would shun him or anything like that, but he’d been a little scared. He really felt like he’d been losing his best friend in some ways, and he didn’t want to lose him further. Thankfully, it didn’t look like that was what would happen.

“So how is it going to work?” Parker asked as he resumed eating. “Have the three of you talked? Because I think that’s the main problem in a relationship. If you don’t talk, you don’t understand each other, and I have a hard time imagining Thorne and Samuel talking.”

“We did talk, amongst other things,” Matthias said, still grinning. “And yes. We’re all aware that it won’t be easy, but we’re fine with that. We want to give this a try.”

“Good. I don’t like the fact that I would have to threaten to kick someone’s ass if they hurt you, but as long as they don’t, I guess I’ll never have to worry about you ever again. They’ll take care of you.”

“No one will be kicking anyone’s ass. You’re not going to give them the third-degree interrogation treatment, either. I know what I’m doing. I don’t need you to protect me.”

Parker raised his hands. “I know, but I’m still going to try. You’re my best friend. We might not have spent a lot of time together lately, but that’s not something I will ever forget. I care about you.”

“And I care about you, but please, keep your overprotective instincts focused on Ansley. I don’t need them.” Not anymore. Now, Matthias had a dragon and a fierce human to protect him if he ever needed it. His life wasn’t as dangerous as Ansley’s, though. He wasn’t a mage. He was just a human, with a human boyfriend.

And the dragon. He couldn’t forget the dragon.

* * * *

THORNE LOOKED AROUND the living area. He was used to messiness with the number of people who lived at the castle, but this had reached a level he didn’t want to deal with.

As much as he liked Samuel, he was glad to see Samuel’s family leaving. He could tell they’d tried not to be messy, but it truly seemed to be a family trait. Even now that the horde had left the castle and was in the courtyard saying goodbye, Thorne was surrounded by empty glasses and cups, unfolded blankets, and one shoe he wasn’t sure belonged to anyone who lived at the castle. He could also see the edge of a pillow that should’ve been on one of the window seats two floors up.

He sighed. At least the source of the mess was leaving. Once this was over, it wouldn’t happen again.

Until the next time Samuel’s family visited.