Page 60 of Draven

"He's gone," Doyle finally said, his voice heavy with old grief.

Hearing it made me swallow hard. Until Tobias, I had limited contact with people, and I wasn't sure what to do in a situation like this.

"Sorry," I muttered.

"Don't be," Doyle said, his eyes clearing. "Before the love of my life left this world, he gave me a gift."

Doyle pulled up his shirt, revealing a faded rune where Belladonna's mark had once been.

I felt a pang of envy at its disappearance, but I quickly reminded myself that Doyle had trusted me enough to show me something private, something I suspected he didn't share with others.

Right over Doyle's chest, as if almost protecting his heart, was a handprint.

It looked like it was almost branded there, but...something told me that mark wasn't a curse but some sort of special magical protection left by the man he loved.

Doyle tugged his shirt back down as Tobias joined us, carrying a tray with food.

"Hi Doyle, hope you're feeling hungry. I heated up some mushroom soup and bread. I got you water, but if you want something else, I have other drinks in the fridge," Tobias said, setting the tray down on the table in front of the sofa.

Doyle regarded him for a few seconds. I didn't need to wonder what Doyle was thinking because he would probably say it out loud soon.

That was Doyle for you, always blunt.

"So you're the Draven's little wolf," Doyle said.

Tobias froze from grabbing a pillow from the armchair. "Little wolf?" Tobias asked, looking at me.

"That's how Draven described you to Zane," Doyle explained.

Tobias moved the pillows and arranged them so Doyle would be more comfortable.

"You are kind," Doyle murmured, glancing at me. "Perhaps too good for the likes of him."

I scoffed, knowing Doyle hadn't meant anything by that. He was probably just teasing Tobias.

"That's not true," Tobias blurted out. "Draven's mine. There's no one else I'm interested in."

"Glad to hear that," I said, flashing my little wolf a smile. Tobias flushed.

"He's adorable," Doyle remarked, reaching for the bowl of soup and taking a few sips. "A good cook too."

"You know, when Draven mentioned he was bringing a fellow dragon here, I thought you'd be... I don't know, more scary,"Tobias said. "Do you want something else? More soup? Something else to drink?"

"More soup is good," Doyle said. "And water is fine. Also, we're just like everyone else."

Tobias smiled at that. As Tobias retreated to the kitchen to give Doyle a second helping of soup, I wondered if Tobias truly understood how special he truly was.

Most paranormals distanced themselves from our kind.

Even if they couldn't tell what we were right away, they gave us a wide berth, as if deep down, they understood we were a potential threat.

"He's a keeper," Doyle murmured. "He'll fit right in."

Right in Sky Stead, was what Doyle meant to say. Truth be told, I was sick of staying in Red Vine.

Tired of constantly being watched and judged by paranormals who viewed me as a bomb waiting to go off... But this was Tobias' home.

I wasn't sure if he was ready to leave it and start fresh somewhere else.