Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 93267 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93267 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
His mate waved a hand at him. “I know, I know. Not your fault. Dragon instincts and all that.”
“Would you like a quick tour now?” It seemed safer to divert their conversation away from their first argument and the subject that remained a giant, tender purple bruise between them.
“Sure. I can already see your living room is bigger than my entire apartment.” Salem gestured with both hands at the room they were standing in, which had a dark brown leather sofa and chairs set around a big coffee table. When they entered, a couple of tall lamps had flicked on, and the air smelled sweetly of tropical flowers. It was nice to know all the spells on his place to keep it clean and tidy were still working, despite his extended absence.
“I actually don’t spend a lot of time in this room anymore. Before we discovered Amaru, Luka and Vasily would pop by in the evenings for a chat or we’d play cards if we could get Ilya or Dimitri to join us.”
From the living room, he led Salem to his private office and library—a large room with walls covered in bookshelves loaded with books.
“Whoa. This is…whoa. I never really took you to be much of a reader.” Salem slapped his hand over his mouth and turned to face Gregori. “Not that I think you can’t read or aren’t intelligent. I mean, I know you’re incredibly smart. I—”
Gregori took pity on a very sleepy Salem and stopped his stammers with a kiss to the tip of his nose. “I know what you mean. I also think it’s adorable when you forget exactly how old I am. Most of my life stretched in those long years before the invention of television, movies, and video games. The most common form of entertainment and gaining knowledge was books.”
“Yeah. Duh. Sorry.”
“No apologies necessary. The clan has a large central library. Though, I hear it’s not nearly as big as the library in Burkhard Castle with the fire dragons. However, most dragons will also have a large personal library.” Gregori walked over to a set of shelves, his eyes skimming over the familiar spines. “Old favorites you can’t bring yourself to get rid of.”
“It’s a beautiful library.”
Gregori turned back to his mate, his heart skipping to see him standing in this room, looking as if he’d always belonged there. Currently, he appeared sleepy and mussed, his dark brown hair in a freefall around his forehead, those ocean blue eyes intent on him. Gregori would never tire of seeing him like this, so casual and comfortable. “Thank you. When you start your studies with Sora and the other mages, feel free to use this room if you like.”
Salem made a noncommittal noise and Gregori wisely chose to continue the tour. There was no kitchen since there was a central kitchen and dining hall used by all the dragons and mages. He did have a small cupboard for snacks and a table and chairs for when his fellow trackers stopped by with beer and junk food.
“Okay, I definitely remember this room,” Salem announced as they stepped into the bedroom. A king-sized bed with an elaborately carved headboard dominated it. On the opposite wall was a large TV and a low dresser covered in random knickknacks Gregori had collected on his travels. The extra thick area rug squished under their feet and a happy hum escaped Salem as he squeezed his toes in it. The man had shed his shoes while they were on the beach.
In fact, Gregori wasn’t entirely sure where the bag Salem had packed, his winter clothes, or his shoes were. He mentally shook his head at himself. He’d track down Salem’s possessions after the mage fell asleep, as well as try to figure out what he would still need while he stayed in Brazil.
“I like this carpet,” Salem murmured, his words slightly slurred.
And that had to be the end of the tour. He was about to pass out.
“Through there is the bathroom,” Gregori said, pointing toward one of the open doors. “Off the bathroom is my closet.”
Salem snorted. “That’s it? This giant apartment doesn’t have a billiards room or a conservatory? Or a ballroom?” He groaned and squeezed his eyes shut. “No wonder you were so horrified by my apartment.”
Gregori hurried to his side and wrapped his arms around Salem’s waist while standing behind him. “I wasn’t horrified. It was just smaller than I was expecting. Like most people, I live under the notion all doctors are rich and have enormous homes.”
“Yeah, the rich part happens after you manage to pay off all your student loans. If you can pay them off.”
It rested on the tip of Gregori’s tongue to say he would personally see to it all of Salem’s debts were paid off. If not him, then definitely Rodrigo. The king was not going to pass off a chance to have a skilled surgeon in their ranks. Add in a few years of magic training, and Salem would be a priceless gem within the mage community.