“Up to you,” Gramlithyn said as they found the path that would lead to the shifting area. “The lodge has a restaurant. We can dine in there or call ahead to grab an order to go. I believe we can get to the lodge easily on our way back to the cabin. There’s also a small grocery store down the road we could drive to; they have elven options. I don’t know how many, but neither of us is that picky.”
“Lodge sounds good. Not sure yet if I want to eat in or grab something to go.”
“Either works for me.”
Pyxlevir lifted his chin to appreciate the cloudless sky and the lovely breeze rustling the leaves above their heads. “This trip was a wonderful surprise. Thanks for bringing me here.”
“I figured it’d be a nice change of scenery for us.”
“It is.”
“Plus, this is the only way our roommates can get a Saturday night not locked in their bedrooms,” Gramlithyn mused.
“We should send them to socialize with the centaurs if they refuse to hang out with us.”
“Your family would love that.”
“Yep.”
“How badly do you miss them?”
With a heavy sigh, Pyxlevir squeezed Gramlithyn’s hand affectionately. “We promised honesty, so the truth is I never imagined living anywhere but with them. It hurts. At the same time, I’m happy to be with you. I’m a lucky elf to have so many fantastic people in my life. And I get to see my parents nearly every day. But I haven’t seen my uncles since the last D’Vaire weekend. I’m having a little centaur withdrawal.”
“Your bond with your family is why I was so shocked you kept our matebond to yourself.”
“I love them, but they’re overprotective. The last thing I wanted was for either of us to be forced into a matebond.” Pyxlevir blew out a breath, and his heart clenched. “And while I’ve enjoyed the past twenty-four years with family, I can’t think of myself alone. If you and I are going to make things work, we have to decide together where we end up. Living at Uncle Timotheus’s house may not be the ideal situation for us.”
Gramlithyn stopped them in the middle of the path, and Pyxlevir swung his head so their gazes locked.
“I imagined being with you countless times, and in each scenario, our happily-ever-after was with your family.”
“What about your parents? Or a place of our own?”
“I can’t explain it, Pyx. My gut is telling me you belong there. All I ask is that you consider letting me be at your side.”
“Your happiness is as important as mine.”
“I haven’t lived with my parents for six years, and our relationship…well, I take the blame for my mistakes. A problem for another day. But even before I left Vegas, I was in that house with you.”
Touched, Pyxlevir offered Gramlithyn a wobbly grin. “With Leydira and Erironarra finally sharing a bedroom.”
Gramlithyn laughed as Pyxlevir had intended. “Erironarra is at my parents’ house; we’ll have to rescue her, I suppose. While we’re talking about our childhood…Pyx,I’m sorry about Kalliope and Pandora. Those dogs were an important part of your family, and it must’ve been awful to lose them. But as much as you love animals, I’m shocked you don’t have a pet.”
Tears threatened, but that was to be expected. Pyxlevir had fiercely loved his dear Kalliope and Tyndarios’s Pandora. “Thank you, I miss them. My heart isn’t ready to love another pet yet. Someday. But I have to be emotionally able to handle losing them. I’m not right now. They have a beautiful tree planted for them at D’Vaire. Sometimes I sit next to it and update them on life at the house. Uncle Timotheus put two stone Newfoundland statues in the backyard for them too. I like to think they’re still with us in a way.”
“That makes sense, and of course they are,” Gramlithyn replied. “I know it was tough on you, but I’m happy you have a spot to visit them.”
“The entire memorial garden at D’Vaire is gorgeous. Do you think Dasan would be offended if we asked him if he wanted to live at Uncle Timotheus’s? There are a couple of extra rooms; I’m sure they’d love to help him make one of them his own. The twins will go back to their house, and I don’t want Dasan to be alone.”
“He better not be offended,” Gramlithyn muttered as he led them toward the shifting area again. “Thanks for offering; if we get to the point where we’re ready to live together, I love the idea of sharing a home with him. As far as I know, he doesn’t have anyone else, and he’s a terrific friend. Family really.”
“Is it still aniffor you?”
“I’m trying not to scare you off by sayingwhen.”
“Be honest with me, Gramlithyn. Don’t worry about anything else but telling me exactly what’s on your mind.”
“It’s always been a when for me.”
