“We wouldn’t have gotten anywhere without your investment of your grandfather’s money.”
“Which wouldn’t have lasted long had it not been for your forethought and investment plan,” Cryss said. “From the start, I never saw his money as mine. It was ours to use as we needed to survive here after the crash. We have always shared one another’s burdens and joys, as it should be.”
“Thank you for that,” Qylar said, even though he didn’t quite think the same. He was in Cryss’s debt and would be for the rest of his life.
“Now I hope that you will find the same joy I’ve found and have a family of your own. We can make it happen if we set our minds to it.”
“It can’t be forced. Either it happens or it doesn’t.”
“Thereissome truth to that. I never anticipated finding Alex, yet there he was in the place I least expected it,” Cryss said. “Is he the only man with Nefyrian blood on Earth? I think we both now know that’s not likely the case.”
“Well, why don’t I just add aliens and tentacles to my preferences on Grindr and see if I can’t dig up another fusion of human and Nefyrian genetics like Alex. That should make it simple, hmm? Not the needle in a haystack it is.”
Cryss grinned. “Alex doesn’t really have tentacles, so you might want to make that one optional.”
“Don’t let him hear you say that,” Qylar said, wriggling the fingers of both hands. “You’ll hurt his feelings.”
“His siblings shift well enough. I don’t know why he can’t.” Cryss sighed. “Speaking of his siblings, have you ever thought much of Aken and Zorim. They’re both quite handsome.”
“Even if I was attracted to either of Alex’s brothers, it’s not like their father would allow me to run away with one of his princelings,” Qylar said. “King Krythar barely speaks to me when I’m in the same room as he is.”
“He’s warmed up. Some,” Cryss said.
Qylar looked at Cryss, seeing the man didn’t completely believe what he’d just said.
“A tiny, tiny bit,” Cryss added. “He nodded and said your name in passing the last time he came for Christmas.”
Qylar scoffed.
“Eventually, people have to realize that you’re not like your parents.” Cryss searched his face. “You haven’t stepped foot on Nefyria in some time. Maybe you could go for a visit in the near future and test the waters.”
“No thank you,” Qylar said. “I’d much rather remain here where no one knows my story.”
“We’ll be going soon. Alex, me, and the babies.”
He cast a look at Cryss. “When are you leaving?”
“A month.” Cryss asked. “And hopefully return just before Christmas.”
“When was this decided?”
“Recently,” Cryss replied.
“You were just there. Why are you going back so soon?”
Cryss’s expression tightened.
Qylar searched Cryss’s face, realization hitting him. “Alex is pregnant again,isn’t he?”
Cryss nodded.
“You have some time before you have to go back. Why the sudden rush?”
“He’s nearly four months along.”
“Four months?And you’re just telling me now?”
Cryss’s shoulders sagged. “You know how devastated we were when we lost those eggs last summer. Seeing pity in everyone’s eyes nearly broke Alex. He asked me to not tell anyone until we were out of the most dangerous period—in case we lost another.”
