Using his tentacles, Qylar carefully washed Kenji’s body clean, and then his own. Kenji slipped in and out of sleep the entire time, almost as boneless as he’d been in his cephalopod form. Once out, he dried and dressed his mate, then tucked him into bed to rest. After dressing himself, he sat on the edge of the bed for a long while, worry mounting.
Once he was sure Kenji was sleeping peacefully, he went down for his phone. He’d created a relay with his ship that would bring it to his location on command. He and Cryss had decided to keep the ships some distance from the house for security reasons, but he needed answers more than he worried about one of hisneighbors seeing an odd, reflective shimmer flying past. The snow would hopefully cover its arrival enough.
When it hovered overhead, he transported himself up and sent the messages they’d needed sent—medical and those seeking Kenji’s family history. Answers about Kenji’s heritage might prove as important as the ones from the doctors about his curious symptoms for all he knew. After sending his contacts the request for information, he relayed his concerns to Alex’s doctors and Cryss, as well. While he wasn’t thrilled to share details of their sex life, his concern for Kenji’s wellbeing was greater than their need for privacy.
Before he left the ship, he noticed a subspace message blinking, awaiting his notice. A smile came to his lips. It had been sent earlier that morning. Alex had given birth to a healthy baby boy, and both papa and son were quite healthy, though the arrival had been early. Xandor Ray joined Zaadi Helene and Aeloran Krythar. All three middle names were in honor of Alex’s parents. His biological father King Krythar, his human mother Helen, and his human stepfather, Ray.
Qylar winced. He’d share no such honor with his own parents, and doubted Kenji would want to with his, either.Whenthey had children. He had to continue to remind himself that was not upcoming, but something distant in the future. Just because Kenji seemed to be growing closer to him didn’t mean he was ready to be a father, and Qylar would respect his mate’s decision.
Even if it broke his heart. He needed to learn how to better cover his emotions when it came to the pregnancy. He was still doing a piss-poor job, and it was unfair to Kenji that he couldn’t steel himself better.
Once he’d returned to the house and sent the ship back to the dock, he raced upstairs to check in on Kenji. He slept still, the picture of peace. Slipping off his shoes and sweater, he crawled under the covers. Kenji curled right into him, cuddling close in sleep.
Other than being lusty, there were really no other signs for concern, so perhaps it wasn’t as bad as he’d made it out to be. But he couldn’t shake the feeling there was a larger issue at hand.
CHAPTER 20
Kenji’s eyes opened, exhaustion tugging at him to go back to sleep. His bladder screamed too much for that. He rolled over in bed and stretched, his body incredibly sore, noting he was alone. The house was silent, and when he peeked over the side of the bed, he noticed the snow had deepened considerably. Flakes still fell, but it was gentler and the size tiny, wispy bits. The sky had grown darker, looking closer to early evening. How long had he slept?
Climbing to the side of the bed, he stretched again. He couldn’t recall what he’d done to be so sore other than playing in the snow earlier. Maybe he’d overdone it in his childlike zest. He was too young for aches and pains, though. He struggled to remember what had happened after he’d gone inside from the snowball fight. He remembered Qylar carrying him upstairs, but after that, it seemed all a blank.
After relieving himself and pulling on a robe and slippers, he made his way downstairs, his stomach clenching in hunger.
Midway down the treads, he stopped, his jaw dropping. Everywhere he looked, decorations filled the space. From thepine garland filled with holly leaves and berries hanging above the fireplace and other spots around the space to the massive holiday arrangement sitting center stage on the dining table to the collection of huge ornaments sat in the entry near the door like they had fallen off a giant’s tree. He took a few more steps down and found the Christmas tree still bare, though.
He smiled. He’d hoped to help decorate it and was glad he’d still get the chance.
“Qylar?”
Qylar soon appeared through the kitchen door, worry on his face. He paused as soon as their eyes met, his jaw dropping. Before Kenji could take more than a couple of steps, Qylar rushed over and dragged him into his arms.
“Thank the universe,” Qylar said as he took a shaky breath. He hugged Kenji so tightly he could barely breathe for a moment. “I was so terrified.”
Kenji pulled back and searched Qylar’s face, frowning. “Terrified? For what?”
“You’ve been asleep since yesterday morning.Overtwenty-four hours. And after what happened in the shower, I was about to lose my mind.”
“A whole day?”Kenji asked, his frown deepening. “What happened in the shower?”
“You don’t remember?”
Kenji shook his head. “I remember playing in the snow and then you carrying me inside over your shoulder. I remember burning up and I think you undressed me…” He frowned. “But after that, it’s all blank.”
“I got you into the shower to warm up. Even though you claimed you were hot, your skin was like ice. You were desperate again, begging me to have sex with you. When we did, you shifted. I tried to pull out, but you wouldn’t let me.”
Kenji’s face grew warm. “I begged you for sex. Well…sorryfor that, I suppose.”
Qylar scoffed. “Have you not noticed your recent,constantneed for sex? It’s concerning. And growing more powerful.”
“I’m enjoying my new mate. Don’t you normally have a lot of sex in a new relationship?” Kenji shook his head, remembering who he was talking to. “That’s right. You haven’t had any relationships before now. Take it from the inexperienced one who has at least had a couple of boyfriends. This happens at first. Constant sex. It’s the fun of a new relationship.”
Qylar sighed. “I’m worried it’s more than that. It’s like you’re a cat in heat and barely coherent the last few times.”
Kenji frowned.
“You don’t even remember having sex this last time,” Qylar said. “And did you not hear me say you shifted, mid-intercourse? I was terrified I’d hurt you, but you’d wrapped your tentacles around me, and I couldn’t get you off without fear of really injuring you.”
“I suppose that’s why I woke up so sore all over.”
