I let out a mix of a groan and a laugh. “I regretted it after, okay? I thought I had to eat it all while I could. I didn’t know I’d win the Dragonfate Games for once and stay here forever.”
“I know,” he said gently. His fingers captured mine. “You’re home now, Muzo.”
Home. Here on Chromatimaeus Island.
It was a mouthful, but hey, it had a nice ring to it.
Twenty
Cobalt
After our dinner date,I imagined a cozy night of cuddling together in bed.
Instead, Muzo wanted to check on the snails. That worked just as well for me.
It still felt surreal that he showed as much interest in my hoard as I did, but I suppose that was to be expected of fated mates.
“I just wanna see how they’re getting along,” he said, running up to the glass. “Look, Cobalt!”
His enthusiasm lit up the room. Usually my hoard was a place of calm solitude, a place I went to be alone with my thoughts. The oddness of my collection kept me from sharing it with even my family. But sharing it with Muzo was wonderful. His honest curiosity and open zeal were refreshing.
It made me rethink keeping my hoard hidden. If he accepted it, could my brothers accept it, too?
I followed Muzo up to the glass. “What is it?” I asked.
He pointed to a rocky outcrop framed by two strands of kelp. I gasped. The two snails sat shell by shell in a picture-perfect scene.
“They’re hanging out together,” Muzo said. “Did you put them nearby on purpose, Cobalt?”
I shook my head. “In my research, they’re known to be territorial, so when I placed the second snail in the tank, I gave them plenty of space so they could get used to each other slowly. But it appears they didn’t need it.”
“Aww. They’re already best friends.” He grinned. “Or maybe more?”
“Let’s cross our fingers for that,” I commented. “If all goes well, they could replenish the local population.”
Muzo turned to speak at the tank. “Hear that, guys? Don’t hold back on the sex!”
The snails wriggled their antennae.
Muzo nodded firmly. “I think they got the message.”
I kept smiling at Muzo’s earnest passion for the snails. How did I get so lucky?
“It’s about time for their dinner. Would you like to feed them?” I asked.
He gasped. “I can feed them?”
To keep a seamless aesthetic in the room, I kept the tank supplies hidden in a ceiling compartment. Using the stepladder, I took out the food from a small mini fridge, then moved the stepladder next to the tank.
“Come up with me,” I encouraged Muzo.
He scampered up to the top step, then paused. “Whoa. This is higher up than it looked from the floor.”
“I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall,” I promised, putting my hand on his hip. “Would you like to do the honors?”
He grinned as he accepted the pail of food. I’d never seen anyone so excited to feed a snail—except for myself, of course.
“Wow, they’ve got a whole smorgasbord in here,” Muzo said, glancing into the pail. “Cucumbers, bananas, apples, some leafy stuff... Do they get all of it?”
