“My zebra and I are still shocked that we have eternity with him,” Gramlithyn confided.
“Don’t feel rushed now that you’ve announced your matebond,” his father stated firmly. “Your timetable needs to work for you and Pyx. Your mother and I will support you no matter what. I know Kalthekor and Aris feel the same way. Like us, they’re incredibly pleased to know you and Pyx belong together.”
“Pyx and I are lucky to have so many caring people in our lives. Thanks for being understanding and not dragging me home by a pointy ear,” Gramlithyn said. “I wish I hadn’t hurt you both in the process of dealing with my own shit. You deserved better.”
“We missed you, but you’re an adult, and we respect that,” Laconifel responded. “It was tempting to ask a family sentinel or fallen knight to track you. We discussed it. However, we knew that wasn’t fair. Hopefully, when you travel again, we don’t go six years without seeing you.”
“I’m done traveling without my family,” Gramlithyn replied. “No more running away. I don’t want to miss another holiday or hurt you again if I can help it.”
“Okay, let’s dry our tears. Share some hugs. Then get you back to Pyx. You have time to make up with him too. We’ll fix us. I feel like we already have,” his mother insisted.
Gramlithyn stood so he could fully embrace his parents and inwardly sighed with relief that he’d finally patched up the holes in his relationships. It was the first step in the bright future he wanted to give himself and Pyxlevir.
Chapter 31
In a set of pajamas with pastel green llamas on them, Pyxlevir rubbed lotion between his fingers as he walked into the bedroom he unofficially shared with Gramlithyn at their apartment. They’d left D’Vaire several days earlier, and there was a new pep in Gramlithyn’s step. Pyxlevir was overjoyed that he’d mended fences with his parents and that they were understanding about their future.
Pyxlevir intended to maintain as strong a dynamic with Semira and Laconifel as possible and had already encouraged them to join Pyxlevir and Gramlithyn for lunch or stop by the apartment whenever it suited their schedule. Family was an integral part of Pyxlevir’s life, and he adored Gramlithyn’s parents. As for their son, Gramlithyn was lounging on the bed in nothing but a pair of sleep pants. Because they were sewn by Larissa, the fabric was fun; it featured blue dragons with tongues hanging out of their mouths.
Climbing onto the mattress, Pyxlevir sat next to Gramlithyn with his legs crossed. Although his instinct was to plaster himself to Gramlithyn and kiss him senseless, there was a furrow between his other half’s brows that told him the hybrid was deep in thought.
“What’s on your mind?” Pyxlevir asked.
Gramlithyn’s brown gaze locked on Pyxlevir’s face. “Will you promise to be honest with me, no matter what? That you won’t spare my feelings?”
“Absolutely,” Pyxlevir said, nodding his head to emphasize his vow.
“Since we left D’Vaire, I’ve been thinking, and things are fantastic between us.”
“Yes. I love you.”
“I love you too,” Gramlithyn replied with a lovely smile. “I…well, I tricked you into agreeing to move into this apartment so we could spend a year under the same roof. The twins and Dasan joined us so we’d have witnesses to attest that we’d tried and Fate was wrong.”
“Gramlithyn, I wasn’t interested in a separation agreement.”
“I know that now. Neither was I.” Gramlithyn sighed and propped himself up on one elbow, his eyes dropping to the bedspread. “This isn’t how I should be doing this. You deserve some grand romantic gesture.”
“Ew, for what? Like in public? That would be so embarrassing.”
Gramlithyn’s expression was stunned as he lifted his chin to stare at Pyxlevir. “You don’t like romance?”
“I don’t know the first thing about it. Not in the traditional sense. What I find romantic is hanging out with my best friend. My heart flutters in my chest when you take my hand, kiss my head, or understand exactly where I’m coming from. That’s the shit I love. You do it for me every day.”
“Fate made you perfect for me. Pyx, my zebra and I want to bite you. Will you be my mate? Fully bind your soul with mine in front of everyone we love at D’Vaire?”
Pyxlevir nodded. “Nothing would make me happier.”
Gramlithyn cupped the back of Pyxlevir’s neck and tugged him close as the hybrid stretched up so their lips met in a smiling kiss. It was the perfect romantic moment to Pyxlevir.
“I love you, Pyx.”
“I love you too. Were you afraid I’d say no?” Pyxlevir asked as he shuffled closer to Gramlithyn and waited for his other half to settle onto the mattress again so he could drape himself on the elf-zebra’s bare chest. The earthy scent of carrots filled his senses as snuggled Gramlithyn. A warm hand settled on his tush, and Pyxlevir’s happy sigh was smug.
“The last thing I wanted was to rush you.”
“Rush me? Gramlithyn, I’ve been waiting for you to fuck me properly for weeks.”
“You and the carrot in your pants need to settle down; we have to plan this properly.”
