When Qylar glanced down at Kenji, he found his mate staring up at him.
“I promised to give them to him for Christmas, so they’ll arrive upon the stroke of midnight.”
“They came upon a midnight…tentacle…”Alex sang, grinning behind the words. “About time, Q.”
“Can I talk to you outside?” Kenji whispered.
Qylar rose. “Excuse us a moment.”
He took Kenji’s hand, and they stepped into the back hallway, out of earshot. When he turned to Kenji, he wasn’t sure what emotions he was seeing in the mix on his mate’s face.
“I told you that you didn’t have to.”
“You want them. I want to give them to you. We both know the dangers. We’ll do it and let the chips fall where they may.” He eyed Kenji closely. “Unless you’ve changed your mind and don’t want them?”
“I’ve not changed my mind, but I’m curious what changed yours.”
Qylar collected Kenji’s face in his hands. “I’m watching you withdraw from me, and I refuse to let that happen. If you’rethatsure you want to suffer to show the universe you’ve been claimed, then… I guess I have to give you what you want. I think that you’re a sadomasochist but luckily for you, I don’t kink shame.”
Kenji smiled up at him. “Are you really sure you want to do this?”
“No matter what I do, you end up hurt,” Qylar said. “At least choosing this path, I’m not the one directly causing it. The ones treating you like shit will be the ones to blame, not me.”
Kenji shook his head.
Qylar coaxed Kenji back towards the dining room. “We’ll figure it out as we go.”
Just as they returned to the table, Cryss rose and announced. “Bathtime for little ones.”
“Awwww, Daddy… we’re having fun,” Zaadi said.
“Santa can’t come if you’re still awake,” Cryss said, eyeing both kids.
“Santa!” Ael roared before standing in his chair. He grabbed his belly and leaned back with a mighty. “Ho-ho-ho.”
“You’ll make a great Santa someday, Ael,” Cryss said before lifting Ael into his arms.
“Fat ho-ho-ho belly,” Ael said, lifting his sweater to show off his tummy.
“You’ll get there when you’re big,” Cryss said. “Come on, Zaadi-girl.”
Zaadi kissed Alex on the cheek. “Night, Papa.”
“You’re coming back down to leave cookies and milk for Santa, aren’t you?” Alex asked Zaadi.
“Oh yeah,” Zaadi said. “Cookies and milk! And a carrot, Papa.”
“Cookies ho-ho-ho,” Ael sang.
Zaadi leapt to her grandfather’s lap and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Night, Poppop.”
“Zaadi, honey—you’re coming back down,” Cryss said. “You can give your goodnight kisses then.”
Zaadi climbed out of Krythar’s lap and rushed to Kenji’s side. “Night, Uncle Kenji.” She rose on her tiptoes, and Kenji leaned over for her kiss on the cheek.
“Zaadi…”Cryss said.
She ignored her father and kissed Qylar last. “Night, Uncle Q.”
