“We were friends; it didn’t matter what you ate.”
“Good to know our friendship didn’t end because I refused to pick oranges first among my food choices.”
Gramlithyn’s expression was unreadable, which annoyed Pyxlevir. Once, he had been able to tell exactly what was onGramlithyn’s mind with a glance. Now he had to wait the man out and hope he would say what he was thinking because Pyxlevir didn’t know him. Pyxlevir had lost his best friend because Fate had intervened in their lives.
While he couldn’t imagine anyone else at his side for eternity, he ached anew for what their matebond had already cost them.
“We grew up,” Gramlithyn said. “Sometimes friendships don’t survive past childhood.”
The barstool scraped the floor as Pyxlevir hopped to his feet and slammed the container of radishes on the counter. One bounced out and rolled across the smooth surface, but he barely noticed.
“Except that we didn’t grow apart, did we? You made a choice. It was your decision to disappear that ended our friendship.”
Gramlithyn sagged against the counter behind him and closed his eyes. “It wasn’t that simple, and you know it.”
“Exactly. You left me with a dirty little secret I had to keep from everyone I love.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Excuse me?”
“I didn’t tell you to keep everything to yourself. In fact, I assumed you’d confide in your family. It’s not my fault you chose silence.”
Pyxlevir was delighted that they were finally having a conversation about the subject that had changed his life. He crossed his arms and kept his voice steady as he studied the handsome hybrid with the thick skull.
“What do you think would have happened if I had mentioned anything about our matebond to my parents?”
“I don’t know.”
“I bet you do,” Pyxlevir challenged. Gramlithyn’s gaze hit the floor as Pyxlevir took a step around the island, bringing himself further into the kitchen. “We both remember at six when you told your folks about those kids bullying us at school.”
“A bunch of shitty kids have nothing to do with Fate.”
“No, they don’t. But our parents were friends then. They’re fucking family now. My parents would’ve marched up to your folks and told them everything.”
“Yeah, I assumed the news would spread through the family quickly.”
“Absolutely,” Pyxlevir said. “And we were raised by elves. Tradition demands we bind our souls within days of discovering our matebond. Do you think I’d want to be forced together?”
“No one knew where I was; you wouldn’t have been forced into anything.”
“Did you forget who is in our family? The sentinels would’ve tracked you in less than an hour.”
Gramlithyn’s glass hit the counter with a sharp click, and he stood. “So, maybe you should thank me for spending the last six years away from everyone I know and love so you weren’t expected to commit yourself to a matebond you clearly don’t want.”
Pyxlevir’s mouth dropped open as Gramlithyn marched out. What had happened? Not once had Pyxlevir stated that he didn’t want to be Gramlithyn. It was Gramlithyn who’d run off and returned only to immediately suggest they live together so they could start the process of terminating their relationship. So, why was Gramlithyn the one getting pissed off?
The thought of being with Pyxlevir had driven Gramlithyn away from everyone.
Although Gramlithyn had been clear that he didn’t want a mate before they learned the truth of their connection, Pyxlevir realized that there must be more to the story. He swallowedthickly. He’d been right. It wasn’t just any mate Gramlithyn didn’t want. It washim.
But that was too damn bad.
Fate had paired them for a reason, and if it somehow turned out that Gramlithyn was right and they sucked together, Pyxlevir refused to remain locked in a private hell forever. He shook his head. He didn’t believe Fate had fucked up, and he wanted his other half even if that person was a stubborn but gorgeous hybrid who refused to see their potential.
Fighting tears, Pyxlevir rinsed out Gramlithyn’s glass and plunked it in the dishwasher. His appetite had fled, but he forced himself to finish the last of his radishes. He flipped the light switch, waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, and slunk off to his bed.
Once he was tucked beneath his covers, he closed his eyes and wept. The past six years had prepared him for nothing. He still had no idea how to convince Gramlithyn that their matebond wasn’t a mistake. But Pyxlevir had to stay strong, and he sure as hell wasn’t taking responsibility for Gramlithyn’s choice to run off.
