“Good.”Tex allowed himself to relax.“We need to go.Nymon’s been keeping up his plants, and I can feel how tired he is.”
Seymour moved closer.“What’s the plan?”
“We need to grab everyone from Nymon’s house and go to the shield.If anyone finds out what happened at the bar, they’ll come after us with everything they have.”
“So we need to be fast.”Orlando’s tone was determined.
“Gregory will handle the fallout.”It definitely wasn’t Tex’s job, and he was grateful for that.
He and Orlando grabbed Seymour’s arms, and he shimmered them back.Nymon’s little house looked the way it had when they’d left.No one was waiting for them outside since they’d neutralized the demons who’d been here for Nymon before leaving, but that didn’t mean no one else would arrive.
“I didn’t want to shimmer us inside in case someone was out here,” Seymour explained.
“I’ll check,” Orlando answered.
Tex was already moving toward the porch steps.He needed to see his mate.
“Nymon!”he called out.
For a moment, nothing happened, and Tex held his breath.Then the door slowly opened, and Nymon stood there, swaying slightly.He looked even more tired than Seymour, but he was smiling.
“Took you long enough,” he said before throwing himself into Tex’s arms.
* * * *
NYMON BURIED HIS FACEin Tex’s neck, breathing in the scent of his mate.It wasn’t familiar yet, but it was comforting.Through their bond, he felt Tex’s relief, so intense it made his knees weak, especially as it fed his own.
“You’re here,” Nymon whispered.“You’re okay.”
“I’m here.”Tex’s arms tightened around him.“You did so well.”
Nymon wasn’t sure about that, but he didn’t say anything.The worst was over, but they weren’t safe yet.There was no way to know what the elders would decide to do about Tex’s presence within the shield or about the fact that Nymon had known about it and hadn’t told them.
He glanced at the two men who’d gone with Tex and blinked at their aspect.“What happened to Orlando?”
His shirt was torn and burned at the shoulder, and Nymon was pretty sure there was blood on the fabric.
“He’s fine,” Tex said.“We all are.”Tex cupped his face, forcing Nymon to meet his eyes.“But we need to move.The elders—”
“They’ll figure out what happened soon, if they haven’t already,” Nymon finished.
“Yeah.”
Nymon’s stomach dropped.He’d known this was going to happen from the moment he’d bonded with Tex that his life in Starhaven was over—hell, he’d known even before that, maybe from the moment Tex had told him they were mates.Still, knowing the moment had come made him nauseous.
“Nymon.”Tex’s voice was gentle but urgent.“I need you to tell me if you’re coming with me.”
“Yes.”The word came out stronger than Nymon felt.He powered through.“Of course I’m coming with you.”
Through their bond, he felt Tex’s relief and joy, but also his guilt, probably because of the choice Nymon had been pushed to make.Nymon didn’t care.He was a little sad about leaving the only home he’d ever had, but he was also excited to see the world and the future he’d have with Tex.
“Don’t feel bad,” Nymon said softly, touching Tex’s chest.“It’s my choice.I want this.I wantyou.”And the only way to have him was to go with him.
Tex kissed him.“Then we need to move.Pack only what you can carry.I hope we’ll be allowed to come back eventually, but don’t leave anything you can’t live without.”
Nymon nodded, already turning toward his bedroom.He was already thinking about what he’d pack.He had a few knick-knacks from his parents, but thankfully, most of the family pictures had been digitized over the years.There wasn’t much else he couldn’t live without except for Tex.
“I’ll help,” Kael said, following Nymon.
