Chapter Six

"You have to cast the spell again," Keylon said.

He sounded desperate, and it broke Penley's heart. Keylon had finally been about to get his shield back, but everything was falling apart around him instead. No one knew what being unable to find Alvin meant for Alvin, and Penley didn't want to consider the possibility that something had happened to the dragon.

But why else would Ansley be unable to locate him?

"Could someone have put some kind of block on him?" Jarvis asked.

Ansley frowned. "You mean that someone didn't want us to find him? Do you think Carlyle cast a spell on him and Kent?"

"It would make sense, since he doesn't want us to find them. We got Meyer and Bennett back at the same time and are only missing Alvin and Kent. He knows that with our shields, we're stronger and that without them we might not be able to win the fight against him. Even if he hasn't located them, he might have found a way to stop your spell from working."

"I don't see how. I created the spell."

"He could have simply put a spell on them so they wouldn't be located through any seeking spell," Tyne pointed out with a grunt. "He might have done the same with Meyer, but we wouldn't know because we didn't need to use Ansley's spell to find him."

Penley was surprised to hear Tyne speak. He'd always been the silent kind, and he'd gotten worse since Meyer had moved into the castle. Penley prayed it meant that Tyne was finally getting over whatever he had against Meyer, but he didn't want to get his hopes up. After all, Tyne still wasn't looking in Meyer's direction, let alone at him.

"How do we find out what happened?" Keylon asked.

Penley wanted to promise him that everything would be all right. He hoped it would be but didn't want to make empty promises.

"The only thing I can think of is to cast the spell again," Ansley said slowly. "Without having Alvin and Kent here, we can't find out if someone cast a spell to make them impossible to find through seeking spells."

"That's not going to help, is it?" Keylon snapped. "We can't know if they were spelled if we don't find them, and we can't find them if they were spelled."

Parker stepped closer to Ansley. He was glaring at Keylon, and while Penley understood that Parker's main job was to protect Ansley, he didn't want anyone to fight. Besides, Ansley understood what Keylon was going through. They'd all lost their dragons. They'd all been through this.

Penley stepped closer to Keylon. He needed to calm Keylon down if he didn't want a fight to break out. He put a hand on Keylon's shoulder, gently squeezing. "Ansley needs time to rest," he murmured.

Keylon's attention turned to him, and he wasn't sure it was a good thing when he saw the fierce expression on his friend's face. "It's easy for you to say. You have your shield back, and even though you're terrified of what you could share with him, you know where he is and that he's safe. How is it fair? Why do you and Tyne have your shields back when you don't want anything to do with them, but Dallin and I don't have ours?"

Penley quickly stepped back. Keylon's words hurt, even though they were true. Penley had been avoiding Bennett. Well, he had until they'd talked, but he'd made a conscious effort to stop after they had. He wouldn't say they were best friends yet, but he was trying to let go of the dream he had of the two of them being a couple. It would make it easier to welcome Bennett back into his life.

"I don't even know if Alvin is alive," Keylon continued. "Why do you think Ansley can't find him? It could be a spell hiding him, but what are the odds? He could have died decades ago. He might not have made it through Carlyle's spell on him and the others. For all I know, I lost him a long time ago, and I'll never get him back."

There were tears in Keylon's eyes. He angrily rubbed his face, and Penley moved forward again. He grabbed Keylon and pulled him into his arms, and even though his friend resisted, it didn't last long.

Keylon slumped against Penley and wrapped his arms around him, clutching at his sweater and holding on for dear life. A sob escaped him, and Penley rubbed his back.

He couldn't promise that everything would be all right, but he could make sure that Keylon knew he wasn't alone. Even if something had happened to Alvin and Keylon never got him back, he would never be alone.

"Don't think that way yet," Jarvis said quietly. "We all know that Carlyle doesn't want us to get our shields back. We were lucky and are only missing two. If he's discovered that, I wouldn't be surprised if he's tried to ensure we wouldn't find the last two. We're stronger with our shields, and more importantly, we're better protected. If he's going to attack us, he'll want to make sure we're as weak as possible, which means taking our shields."

Keylon sniffed and pushed away from Penley. "He already did that."

"And he'll want to make sure we don't get them back. Ansley, can you cast the spell again?"

Ansley nodded. He was pale and a bit sweaty, and from the way Parker was holding him up, Penley wouldn't be surprised if Ansley fell on his face if his shield let go.

"He's going to need to rest first," Parker warned. "It's not going to help anyone if Ansley faints when he recasts the spell. He'll do it, but not today."

Keylon opened his mouth, possibly to argue, but pressed his lips together instead. He might want Alvin back, but he understood that casting this spell took a lot out of Ansley. Penley squeezed his shoulder, wanting Keylon to know he was there for him. He wasn't offended by the way Keylon had snapped at him earlier. Anyone would have in his place.

"I'm sorry," Keylon muttered. "I shouldn't have talked to you and Ansley like that."

Penley rubbed his back again. "It's fine. Anyone would have reacted the way you did."

Penley's gaze found Bennett, who was still on the other side of the courtyard. He looked as worried as Penley felt, even though he couldn't remember Alvin. Penley couldn't help but wonder how he would have taken it if Ansley had cast the spell to find Bennett and hadn't been able to find him. He'd probably have broken down.

Keylon was stronger than him. He didn't know if Alvin was dead or alive, yet he wasn't screaming or crying. He needed support, but he was still rational.

Besides, he was right. Penley was one of the lucky ones. He had Bennett back, and it was time for him to stop running. He didn't have a reason to. Bennett didn't care that he was young or that his magic wasn't as useful as the other mages' magic. He cared about Penley and wanted to keep him safe, and it was time to allow him in. Penley couldn't imagine a life without Bennett, even though they still needed to find their way to each other. Penley was finally ready to do it.

He wouldn't waste one more second of the time he could spend with Bennett. Carlyle was out there, plotting against them, and Penley couldn't afford to ignore that or to act like it wasn't happening.

* * * *

Bennett had no idea what was happening. For some reason, the spell hadn't worked, but that was all he was able to tell. He wanted to ask for more details but wasn't sure it was a good idea. Keylon was distraught, while Ansley looked like he might faint at any moment.

He leaned sideways toward Jarvis. "So we don't know why it didn't work?"

"Unfortunately, no. I doubt we'll ever find out."

This could mean a lot of things. Maybe Carlyle had already gotten to the last shields. Bennett didn't remember facing the man, but from everything he'd heard about him, he knew it would be best for everyone to stay away from him. Unfortunately, the last two shields might not have been allowed to do that.

Would he kill them? The thought made Bennett swallow hard. What would happen to Keylon and Dallin if Carlyle had killed their shields? Or, like Keylon had pointed out, if one of them had died a long time ago? There would be no way for anyone to know. The only way they could find the remaining shields was to cast this spell, and if it didn't work, they'd stay in the dark.

Bennett looked at Keylon and Dallin. It wasn't fair to them, and Bennett wanted to help them, but he didn't know how. He doubted anything he could do or say would change anything. They'd need time to grieve if they'd lost their shields, but Bennett didn't think they would have it. If Carlyle was behind their disappearances, he'd use that. He'd know they were missing two shields, and nothing would stop him from taking advantage of that.

"It might not have been Carlyle," Meyer said out loud.

Everyone turned to look at him, including Tyne. Bennett narrowed his eyes at the mage, but Tyne wasn't paying attention to him.

"You're right," Jarvis agreed. "We have no way to know it was him."

"Who else could it be?" Keylon asked with a sniff. "Alvin is a dragon. He doesn't have the ability to hide from a spell."

"But he might not be alone," Meyer pointed out. "Bennett and I found each other and lived together for years. The same might have happened to Alvin. You guys are not the only mages in the world, are you?"

Penley's expression said that he wanted to believe what Meyer was saying. Bennett did, too. Besides, it made sense. Meyer and Bennett had found each other, and maybe Alvin had found a friend, too—not a dragon, but a mage.

"Would Alvin be able to tell that you were looking for him?" Bennett asked.

Ansley frowned. "Not through my spell, but if he has another spell on him that warns him that someone's looking for him, sure. And if he does have that kind of spell on him, then maybe whoever cast it made sure he couldn't be found through seeking spells."

"I think that right now, everyone needs to take a step back," Jarvis announced. "Ansley needs rest, and Keylon and Dallin should take a break, too. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I suggest everyone take the afternoon off. Ansley, how long will you need to be able to cast the spell again?"

Parker looked ready to take on anyone who suggested he story again too soon, including Ansley himself. Ansley patted his shoulder as if to reassure him, but Parker stayed grim. He looked pissed, but Bennett didn't know if it was because of the situation or because Jarvis was pushing Ansley too hard. Parker was fiercely protective of Ansley, as he should be.

Bennett looked at Penley. He was still hovering by Keylon, rubbing his back and gently talking to him. When Bennett saw how caring Penley was, it made him want to drag the man into his arms and do the same for him. Penley would need comforting, too, once he was done with Keylon.

Bennett wanted to be the person to do that for him.

"Tomorrow," Ansley said.

"The day after tomorrow," Parker interjected. He glared at Ansley as if daring him to contradict him. "You need rest, and trying to cast the spell and failing won't help."

"If I take the rest of today off, tomorrow, I should be fine," Ansley argued.

"Should. There's no way to know if you will be, and I don't want to find out what happens if you cast the spell and you're too tired to sustain it. Give yourself time. I know you and everyone here want to find the missing shields, but pushing yourself to exhaustion and depleting your magic isn't going to help anyone, least of all Alvin and Kent."

"It's fine," Keylon reassured. "I've waited so long. I can wait a little longer. I'm sure Dallin feels the same, so don't worry, Ansley. Parker's right. I'm sorry for treating you badly and saying what I said."

"And I'm sorry this didn't work," Ansley said.

"It's not your fault. You did everything you normally do. I'm sure that tomorrow you'll be able to find Alvin, and even if you can't, you'll find Kent. I have faith in you and your ability. You found the other dragons. You can do it with them, too."

For once, that seemed to be all Keylon had to say. He rubbed his face and stepped away from Penley, who looked like he wanted to follow. Keylon shook his head, though, and after quickly talking to Penley, he strode away from their group.

That seemed to be the signal everyone needed. The rest of the group started drifting away, smaller groups forming as the mages talked to each other and tried to find a solution. Bennett looked at Penley, who was moving toward the castle, then back at Meyer, who was staring at Tyne.

"I'm going to try to talk to him again," Meyer said as he squared his shoulders.

Bennett grimaced. "Are you sure?"

"Not really, but he's going to have to break eventually."

Bennett wasn't sure that was true, but he wouldn't stop his friend from trying. Meyer needed answers, and Tyne was the only one who could provide them. "Just leave if he snaps. We don't want him to cast a spell on you because you dared to ask questions," he said gently.

"Don't worry about me, and go to your mage. He needs comforting."

Bennett suspected they all did. He hoped Tyne would give Meyer what he was looking for.

Answers.

Bennett hesitated one second longer, then turned and hurried to go after Penley. He wasn't sure what Penley was planning on doing that day, but he probably needed to talk things out, and he looked a little down. As his shield and dragon, Bennett's job was to be there for him.

He hoped Penley would allow him to do so.

* * * *

"Penley!"

Penley sucked in a breath at the sound of Bennett's voice. He wanted some time alone, but even more, he wanted some time with Bennett.

He still felt it was unfair that he and Tyne had their mages back while Keylon and Dallin didn't. He'd already decided that Keylon was right when he'd said that Penley should stop running, and he'd vowed that he would. He didn't know if Ansley would ever be able to find Alvin, but even if he did, Penley wanted to honor Keylon.

He stopped walking just inside of the castle and turned.

Bennett was hurrying toward him, and the way he smiled when he saw that Penley was waiting for him made Penley's heart race. Bennett appeared genuinely happy to spend time with him, something Penley didn't fully understand.

The mages loved Penley, but they were his family. The humans living at the castle had been there long enough to become friends. But Bennett was new. He was Penley's shield, but that didn't mean they had to be best friends. His job was to protect Penley, nothing more.

But he seemed to want more, and so did Penley.

Bennett reached Penley, and Penley braced himself for whatever was about to happen. He had no idea what Bennett wanted from him, but since Bennett was smiling, it probably wasn't bad.

"I'm sorry for leaving without saying anything," he said. "I just feel powerless and need time alone."

Bennett cocked his head. "Are you sure? I mean, I understand you need time to wrap your mind around what happened, but do you have to be alone to do so?"

Penley did, because if he wasn't alone, he'd break down in front of Bennett, and he wasn't sure he could deal with that or how Bennett would react.

Penley felt like crying. He hated that two of his brothers were in pain and even more that they didn't know if Alvin and Kent were alive. What if something had happened to them? What if Carlyle had hurt them? Keylon and Dallin would never see them again, and Penley couldn't even begin to understand what that would mean for them.

For all these years, the main thing that had pushed them forward had been that one day, they'd get their dragons back. Now, Keylon might never see Alvin again, and they had no idea what would happen with Dallin and Kent yet. Penley's heart hurt for his friends and their dragons, even though he hadn't known them as well. Bennett from the past had been friends with them, though, and Penley remembered the time they'd spent together. Their dragons had become close while they worked together to defeat Carlyle. Bennett might not remember it, but he might have lost a friend.

"Whatever you need, I'm here for you," Bennett said in a voice so gentle that it was enough to break Penley's heart.

A sob escaped him, and he slapped his hand over his mouth. He looked at Bennett with wide eyes, but Bennett didn't seem to care that Penley was about to cry. To Penley's surprise, his shield reached out and pulled him into his arms.

Those arms wrapped around him, strong and steady. Penley and Bennett hadn't been together before, but they'd been growing close, and Penley remembered this. He remembered the feeling of Bennett's body against his, the way Bennett always gently cradled him when he needed it. He remembered how gentle and sweet he'd been and how fiercely he'd defended him at the same time.

Penley felt guilty because he had Bennett back, but at the same time, he wasn't sure how he would have dealt with all of this if he didn't have him. He needed Bennett now more than ever. It might not be fair that Penley had him while Keylon and Dallin were still on their own, but there was nothing Penley could do about that.

Penley had to stop wasting this opportunity. It didn't matter that he was scared or that he didn't know how to deal with his feelings. Bennett was here. Penley was in his arms, and that was all that mattered in the end. Penley needed to get his shit together.

But not right now. Right now, he would allow himself to break down for just a few minutes. He wasn't afraid to do so anymore.

Because Bennett would hold all of his pieces together.

* * * *

Bennett hadn't expected Penley to accept the comfort he was offering so readily. Penley had been keeping him at arm's length since he'd arrived, but thankfully, that seemed to be over. Penley was pressed against Bennett as if his life depended on him, and Bennett was more than happy to give him whatever comfort he needed.

He understood Penley better now. Penley was happy to have Bennett back, but he also felt guilty because Keylon and Dallin were still alone. Even worse, after what had just happened, there was no way for them to know if Alvin and Kent were all right.

Bennett didn't remember them. He didn't remember anything about his life before Carlyle's spell, not even Meyer. He and Meyer had become friends over the years, but initially, they hadn't recognized each other. Hell, they hadn't even been aware that they'd known each other in the past until the mages had told them.

The same went for the last two dragons. Bennett couldn't remember them, even though he knew they had a history together. He'd seen the pictures hanging on the walls of the castle, so he was aware that he and the other dragons had been friends. It didn't matter that he and Penley had been the last to become part of this group. They were family, and he wanted all the dragons at the castle, safe and sound.

He didn't know how to make that happen. He didn't have magic, and even the mages had been unable to locate Alvin. There was also the fact that they didn't know where Kent was, and now, they had to choose. Who did they go after next? Should Ansley attempt to cast the spell a second time to find Alvin, or should he focus on Kent?

Bennett was glad he wouldn't have to answer that question. He wouldn't know how. He didn't like the feeling of having to choose between two people who'd been his friends, but it was the only thing they could do. Ansley was only one person, and while the other mages could cast the spell, it would take much more out of them than it did out of Ansley, and, more importantly, Ansley was more precise. Bennett had been told that his specialty was seeking spells, but it wasn't just that. Ansley had created the spell, which meant that he knew it inside and out and was the best person to use it.

Penley was still snuggled against Bennett's chest. He was sniffling, and while Bennett felt powerless, he wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The hallway they were standing in was empty, and while he could hear people talking somewhere in the castle, they didn't matter. Only Penley and his comfort did.

Bennett rubbed Penley's back, making what he hoped were soothing sounds. Penley was crying now, and while he wasn't sobbing, it still broke Bennett's heart. He wished there was more he could do for this man, but he wouldn't know where to start. As Penley's shield, it was his job to protect him, but how could he do that when he had nothing to fight?

"I'm sorry I blubbered all over you," Penley said as he tried pushing away, his voice still thick with tears.

Bennett would have none of that. "You have nothing to be sorry about. I knew what I was getting into when I offered comfort, and I'm glad I did. You needed it."

Penley sniffed and looked up at Bennett. He gave him a small smile that went straight to Bennett's heart. "I don't know what I would do without you," Penley admitted.

"What you always do. You'd forge ahead, no matter how difficult things are."

"I did for many years, and I don't ever want to do it again."

If Bennett had anything to say about it, he'd be by Penley's side for the rest of his life. He'd protect him against anyone who tried hurting him, especially Carlyle. That man had taken so much from Penley and the other mages, and that was without even considering what he'd taken from the dragons. They'd lost everything—their mages, families, past, and memories. They could rebuild some of it, but it would never be the same. Knowing how much he'd lost made Bennett want to scream sometimes, but then, he remembered that he'd also gained a lot.

He had new friends. He had the man in his arms, who was looking up at him as if he were a gift to the world.

He wasn't. He wasn't sure he was a gift for anyone, not even Penley. Not remembering made every decision complicated, but that wouldn't stop Bennett from doing what he was supposed to do.

Protect Penley.

Penley was looking at Bennett as if Bennett had hung the moon, and Bennett wanted to do that for him. He wanted to do anything Penley wanted or needed. That didn't just include protection. They might not have been a couple before, but Bennett hoped that would change this time around. They had a second chance, and Bennett wouldn't waste it.

He leaned down, unsure of what Penley wanted. He suspected it was the same as he did, but he didn't want to push Penley into something he wasn't ready for. Maybe Penley wanted Bennett, too, but not right now. Maybe he was overwhelmed by what had just happened.

Or maybe he'd kiss Bennett back.

There was only one way to find out, and Bennett took the last step when he pressed their lips together.

Even though Penley had to have understood what was about to happen, he still gasped. The sound was sweet and gentle, and it went straight to Bennett's cock. He told himself to behave and that this was only a first kiss—hopefully not the last.

Penley made a soft sound and pressed closer to Bennett, almost as if he wanted to burrow inside of him. Bennett wished he could give him that, but since he couldn't, he decided that the next best thing would be to tighten his hold around his mage.

That seemed to please Penley, and when the tip of his tongue tickled Bennett's bottom lip, Bennett opened to him.

He might have taken the first step, but Penley was taking the next one, and through that, he was telling Bennett that he wanted this. It was all Bennett had hoped for, but he still had to be sure that Penley wasn't uncomfortable.

He leaned back, even though there was nothing he wanted less. "Are you sure you want this?"

Penley's cheeks were flushed and his eyes were wide, but he nodded. He tried to press closer again, but Bennett needed to say something before he kissed his mage again. "I know you said there was nothing between us before, but I don't care. I'm not Devon, and I'll never be him again. I hope you'll be able to learn to like me for the man I am now, and if you can, I'm ready to give you everything you'll ever ask for."

Penley's blue eyes were like deep lakes that Bennett wanted to lose himself in. If he had a choice, he'd never emerge, and he'd forget about the world around them. He wanted to take Penley to a place where Carlyle wouldn't be able to get to him. He wanted to stand between the two of them and protect Penley with his life.

Even though he hoped it wouldn't come down to that.

"I like Bennett," Penley said. "I liked Devon, too, and I don't think you're that different from him, but I know he's not coming back. I've watched the others go through this, so I knew what to expect. I didn't think I would ever have this with you." He looked away as his cheeks flushed a deeper pink. "I'm not sure what I'm ready and not ready for, but I know I'm not giving you up. I lost you once already, and I'm not going to lose you a second time."

"As long as I have a say in it, you'll never lose me again," Bennett promised.

This time, when Penley kissed him, Bennett gave in. He had no idea where this would lead them, but he knew what he wanted.

To protect Penley and get rid of Carlyle. To make Penley happy for the rest of their lives. To hold him like this until both of them had enough.

Something told Bennett that neither of them would ever feel that way.