She cuts her eyes at me and I tilt my head at the frown marring her face. She doesn’t seem all that excited for someone with two boyfriends. Or whatever it is she’s going to deem we’re called.
“I’m going to take a nap. Alone.”
I watch in confusion as she heads to her room and tells Kyzen “not now” when he attempts to stop her. The glare he shoots my way deepens my puzzlement.
“I’m missing something.”
“Yeah, yeah, you are, man,” he agrees as he grips my shoulder. “You remember your whole spiel about how my role in this relationship is to make up for your shortcomings?”
“Obviously.”
“Well, that would’ve been the perfect time to implement that. That was a conversation that needed to be handled delicately, not bluntly.”
“I saw no reason to push it off and have her sit in a state of confusion. This is one thing she doesn’t have to worry about now.”
“I get that, but did you not notice the freak-out she had when she found out our truth? She’s scared, confused, and needed time to think about everything. Did you miss that completely?”
“No, I saw every second of it. Why would that change anything in any sort of way? I would’ve been more concerned if she didn’t have that reaction. Are you concerned she views us differently now?”
“Well…yeah, a little.”
“Then that’s your own insecurity you need to work on. Just because everyone else who knows who we truly are holds a level of fear toward us, doesn’t mean she’s going to. I’ve learned Thayla as intimately as I possibly can apart from physical intimacy. Many decisions she makes are calculated, and fear usually stands in her way only momentarily.
“It’s her survival instinct to think like her life is in danger before she thinks clearly. She’ll come right back around once the excitement has worn off. She was already exhibiting her normal behavior by defending me. As soon as she calms down completely, she’ll already know where we stand and that won’t be an issue any longer for her.”
He stares at me as though he both understands but is also confused. I’m not sure what’s there to still be confused about.
Yes, she had a moment of panic when she found out who we are. As I said, that was expected, but she gathered herself rather quickly. Given everything going on, she bounced back faster than I thought she would.
If she had run, or verbally, possibly physically, reacted negatively, then what I’m saying would be different. She didn’t do any of that. Therefore, any fear that she may not feel the same way she did about us is null in my mind.
“I see what you’re saying, but it also wasn’t just her feelings we needed to consider.”
“You’re referring to Creed and Riven, and the way I look at it is, if they want their feelings spared, then they should do a better job considering hers when they say and do things. Regardless, it worked out for the best.”
He grumbles something incoherent before releasing me. “Next time you want to bring up a big relationship discussion, how about you run it by me first so we can do it together? Sound good?”
“If you believe that’ll strengthen our relationship, then fine.”
He too leaves me standing in the living room. The entire time he walks to his door, he mumbles beneath his breath. What’s done is done now, so there’s no point wasting time pondering over it.
It’s quite simple. I have a girlfriend.
Kyzen has the same girlfriend.
Our job now is to take care of her in all aspects. Emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Physically is my top priority right now.
And I don’t mean sexual…yet. I’ll meet those needs as well.
Right now, there’s no better time to start figuring out a way to keepMysentaout of my father’s clutches.
“Amick, what is the meaning of this? I only lifted the lockdown for the Attendants so they could serve the gods food.”
My body shifts toward the High Chancellor, who’s welcomed himself into my office. I lay down another book on the stack I was collecting to copy and take back home with me.
“The Attendants are gods as well. This lockdown has nothing to do with me.”
