“Oh, I definitely think that can be arranged, Pyx.”
“Turns out this mate stuff isn’t so hard.”
Gramlithyn chuckled. “Yeah, all we have to do is actually talk to one another.”
“Go figure. Want to get cleaned up, spend an hour making out naked, then fuck again?”
“Absolutely.”
Chapter 34
Aweek following his matebond ceremony, Pyxlevir sat on the deck outside his house and smiled as he watched Gramlithyn in zebra form race his mother across the backyard. It was tempting to run out and climb on Gramlithyn’s back, but Pyxlevir refused to intrude on time spent between mother and son. Bound eternally to Gramlithyn, Pyxlevir could get a zebra ride anytime he wished. There was no need to be greedy.
Pyxlevir smiled and indulged in the rush of joy blooming in his heart. For so long he’d been fueled by banked anger he refused to show and a soul-deep sadness. But those days were now consigned to the past. Gramlithyn belonged to him, and they were committed to building a future that would work for them both.
Thankfully, they were surrounded by family determined to help them. Gramlithyn had casually mentioned his enthusiasm for his job at Elven D’Vaire the other night at dinner. The next evening, Kalthekor had announced that he was shuffling some of the offices in the building. Or more specifically, he was moving Pyxlevir and his assistant to the same floor as Ardusian.
On Monday morning, Pyxlevir was taking over a new office, and he’d share it with Gramlithyn. Kalthekor wasunderhanded and sneaky, but Pyxlevir couldn’t complain. He was eager to share his workdays with Gramlithyn.
Behind Pyxlevir, the back door opened and Dasan stepped onto the deck.
“Oh cool, zebras,” Dasan said, settling onto a chair next to Pyxlevir.
“Yep, they’re racing.”
“Who’s winning?”
“Semira,” Pyxlevir replied. “But Gramlithyn is coming in a close second.”
“It was nice of Timotheus to have Laconifel and Semira’s identification cards programmed so they can come visit you and Gram whenever they want.”
Pyxlevir smiled. “Yeah, I love it. They adore you too; I wouldn’t be surprised if they pop by to see you even if Gramlithyn and I aren’t here.”
“Are you excited to have Gram in an office with you?”
“Yep. I’m happy he likes his job. It reminds me of the teenage Gramlithyn I once knew. I wouldn’t be surprised if he started talking about returning to school. He’s smart, and he loves learning. How’s your job going?”
“Are you kidding?” Dasan asked, flicking his set of small magnets fluidly through his fingers. “I love being at the library. School seems like a good idea to me; I’ve been looking into different programs.”
“Good for you. Depending on the subject, I’m happy to help you study if you choose to enroll.”
“Thanks, I’ll probably need the help. Pyx?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s really cool of you and Gram to invite me to live here with your family,” Dasan said. “Everyone has been so welcoming, and these past few months have been the best of my life.”
“Mine too. I hate that I spent six years without Gramlithyn, but there are some good things about it too. I learned the value of friendship, never to take anything for granted, and I gained an awesome hummingbird in my family.”
“Gram’s a super lucky guy, and I’m glad I was working at that shitty motel when he ran away from all this,” Dasan remarked as he waved a hand around to encompass the mansion at their backs and the yard where two zebras had settled into an easy trot toward the changing rooms on the side of the house. “Not that I blame him. Sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is to leave. I know it sucked for you guys, but as you said, there were benefits too.”
Dasan’s words had Pyxlevir wondering where the hummingbird had been prior to meeting Gramlithyn, but the shifter never spoke of his past and was entitled to his secrets. Before Pyxlevir could think of a response, Gramlithyn called out his name.
Pyxlevir grinned as he caught sight of his mate in jeans and a blue T-shirt strolling to the deck. Beneath the sleeve of his shirt, parts of his mating mark were visible, and it coordinated handsomely with the scrollwork on his cheek and the two earrings at the top of his left ear.
“You lost every race,” Pyxlevir teased as Gramlithyn stepped onto the deck.
Leaning toward Pyxlevir, Gramlithyn pressed a kiss to his mouth. “Yep, it was fun. What are you two gossiping about?”
