“Don’t worry, I’m chiming in to remind everyone to trust Fate, not beating myself up,” Gramlithyn assured his other half.A part of him would always ache for the pain he’d caused Pyxlevir, but he was intelligent enough to know he had to accept that he wasn’t perfect. His decision to leave had allowed him to gain valuable life experience and meet Dasan, who continued to be an incredible friend to him.
The important lesson to take away was to put Pyxlevir first to avoid hurting him again. Gramlithyn would cherish their matebond by prioritizing it, not just because it was the right thing to do, but—more importantly—because it made him happy. A few weeks with Pyxlevir at his side had already taught him that.
“Okay, so we figured out Dasan’s mate,” Colburn said. “What are we going to do about Gramlithyn’s parents?”
“Well, we didn’t find Dasan’s elf,” Pyxlevir pointed out. “But we have to keep an eye out for him. Oh, Dasan, I’ll bring you to the elven gathering this summer. You’ll be surrounded by elves.”
“It’ll be my first one too,” Gramlithyn added. “Elves traditionally go at eighteen, but obviously I didn’t. We’ll bring Crispin and Colby too, that way, the five of us can enjoy ourselves.”
“We’d love that. Pyx has yet to bring us along,” Colburn remarked.
“You didn’t say you wanted to go,” Pyxlevir exclaimed.
“You didn’t ask; we can’t invite ourselves,” Crispin countered.
“This is getting wild—should I grab some snacks?” Dasan wondered aloud.
Gramlithyn snorted. “Grab something for yourself. I’m too busy right now to eat.”
“I can’t believe my best fucking friends didn’t mention they wanted to go to the elven gathering,” Pyxlevir griped. “Does anyone know how boring it was to go with my parents? I lovethem, but my dad is a Chieftain. He has to talk to some of the most tedious people there, and I’m standing there wondering if I’m going to fall asleep standing up. They don’t even talk directly to me. They mention something to my dad likeOh, is that your son? His clothes are beautiful, then they walk off as if I don’t have a brain in my head and can’t speak for myself.”
“Pyx, take a breath,” Gramlithyn encouraged with a chuckle as he finished another braid. “The five of us will go this year, and no one will fall asleep standing up.”
“It’s a deal,” Colburn said. “Now, can we get back to Gramlithyn’s parents?”
“Yeah, they seem great,” Dasan added. “Not that I’ve seen them much.”
“I’ll figure things out and work on that relationship, but right now, I’m focused on building my relationship with Pyx and not being annoyed by our roommates,” Gramlithyn remarked.
“Did he just call us annoying?” Colburn asked.
“Yep,” Dasan replied. “Which is pretty fucked up since he and Pyx are the ones who insisted we hang out with them tonight.”
Gramlithyn chuckled. “You’re right, I’m an ass, but it was a joke. I didn’t mean it. We have the best roommates.”
“I hope the jokes he uses with you, Pyx, are better than that one,” Dasan said. “Because it sucked.”
“I can’t argue with you,” Pyxlevir responded. “It was pretty awful. He’s usually funnier. Maybe it’s the stress of braiding. Now you see why I wanted you guys here?”
“Thank Fate you have us for these trying times, Pyx,” Colburn remarked.
“Excuse me, but I’m pretty fucking glad Fate brought you into my life too,” Gramlithyn told their friends honestly.
What pleased him and his zebra most was that the twins had been there for Pyxlevir in the years he’d spent farfrom Vegas. Pyxlevir hadn’t been alone, and he’d made happy memories despite their fractured matebond. It was the best Gramlithyn could’ve hoped for, given the circumstances, and a wonderful reminder that he could fully put his belief in Fate. Something he hadn’t done until he’d faced Pyxlevir and offered him his unguarded heart. It had taken courage despite twenty-four years of being told the goddess should be trusted implicitly. As it turned out, faith was hard, but when the reward was Pyxlevir, Gramlithyn was willing to go to whatever lengths necessary to have him at his side.
Chapter 29
Pyxlevir kissed the corner of Gramlithyn’s mouth and grinned at him. “Did I mention how much I love my hair?”
“It’s been three days—yes, you’ve told me many times,” Gramlithyn mused, running a hand over the tresses glittering with a mixture of silver and zebra-striped beads.
Shifting his leg to get more comfortable, Pyxlevir reveled in the brush of his naked skin against Gramlithyn’s. A frisson of desire flowed through him, but he was far too sated for his dick to spring to life. They’d explored each other for a good hour, then practiced their oral skills. Pyxlevir was already addicted to the taste of Gramlithyn’s come on his tongue.
His lone complaint was his desire to take things further. However, tradition demanded their matebond be completed before Pyxlevir could have Gramlithyn buried inside him. That part of elven culture was annoying, but Pyxlevir didn’t despair. He grew closer to Gramlithyn every day, and there was no question that he loved him. At six, he’d been enamored of the hybrid, and that adoration had blossomed in the past eighteen years.
Their matebond was inevitable. The thought pleased Pyxlevir immensely.
“Are you complaining about me, Gramlithyn?” Pyxlevir teased. “Could you possibly be upset that I’m praising you for working so hard to decorate my hair according to the traditions our people have clung to for over fifteen thousand years?”
