He was such a sap for anything about Pyxlevir. That thought had Gramlithyn charging to the fridge and helping himself to another beer. The more alcohol he could use to dull his thoughts, the better—no matter what consequences awaited him and Pyxlevir when their drink theft was eventually discovered.
∞∞∞
Pyxlevir Valzadari was the first to admit he had a privileged life. As the only son of Chieftain Kalthekor Valzadari, he was treated well by the entire tribe his father ran. At six, Pyxlevir’s father had met his second mate, and Chieftain-mate Aristos Centaurus-Valzadari had quickly become an important figure in Pyxlevir’s life.
Although he was a teenager and used to hearing his peers complain about their parents, Pyxlevir adored his folks and the uncles who shared their home. They spoiled Pyxlevir, but there were plenty of rules and responsibilities to keep him from becoming insufferable.
Or so he hoped.
Innately shy, Pyxlevir didn’t have a large group of friends. In fact, for much of his short life, he’d had a single person heconfided in. Gramlithyn Verdanyth was his best friend. Despite the addition of the gargoyle twins, Colburn and Crispin, to their little circle, Pyxlevir remained closest to Gramlithyn.
It was difficult to explain even to himself, but a sense of peace settled into his bones whenever Gramlithyn was nearby. Pyxlevir mused that they were two puzzle pieces that had discovered they fit perfectly next to each other. As two immortal souls, Pyxlevir imagined they’d share many secrets throughout eternity, and he couldn’t imagine his world without Gramlithyn brightening it.
They were almost always on the same wavelength. Their interests were parallel, and their future goals were aligned. Pyxlevir could already imagine the many centuries ahead where they would share meals with their mates and build lives side-by-side. So, Gramlithyn’s announcement that afternoon caught Pyxlevir completely off guard.
“You want to do what?” Pyxlevir asked, his gaze locked on the handsome face of his closest friend. Unfortunately, the brown eyes Gramlithyn had inherited from his zebra mother were serious as he stared back at him. Like other Verdanyth elves, Gramlithyn had lovely skin the color of a ripe pear. But as a hybrid, Gramlithyn was taller than his chieftain father and broader through the shoulders.
“Camping, Pyx,” Gramlithyn replied. “Colby and I thought it’d be fun to take a road trip and hit a few campsites.”
“For three months?” Pyxlevir spoke to Gramlithyn daily and had never gone longer than a couple of days without seeing him. The idea of being parted for three entire months was horrible. But the alternative didn’t tempt Pyxlevir. Camping was not his idea of fun, and he’d be damned if he was going to leave his beloved dog at home by herself. Kalliope was too elderly to enjoy scampering through the woods or be deprived of her heated bed.
“Yes, we’re celebrating our graduation from high school,” Gramlithyn replied, his tone level. “We’re starting college in the fall, and we’ve already signed up to work at Elven D’Vaire. This may be the last time for a while that we’ll get a chance to take a long trip like this.”
Elven D’Vaire was formerly known as the Valzadari Beading Company and was run by Pyxlevir’s father and a board of directors including Gramlithyn’s parents. It was Pyxlevir’s fondest wish to do his part to ensure the company remained at the forefront of successful companies throughout the Council. He also adored that he was still asked to model the lovely beaded creations sold through Elven D’Vaire.
It was fun to put on such gorgeous outfits, and he worked with a renowned photographer, Skeleton Lord-mate Teverild Daray. Like Pyxlevir, Teverild was part of the large extended clan of D’Vaires. The High Draconis Court of D’Vaire was run by two fantastic dragons, High Kings Aleksander and Rafe.
Pyxlevir considered himself lucky that his father’s cousin, Chieftain-mate Evlithar Cwylld-D’Vaire, called Aleksander and Rafe’s mansion in Arizona home. Along with his mate, Chieftain Cadlyr Cwylld-D’Vaire, Evlithar had babysat Pyxlevir until he was old enough to stay home alone after school. Pyxlevir had spent countless quality hours with the D’Vaires and was grateful that the entire family gathered in Arizona every month for an entire weekend. Those trips were always fun and not to be missed.
“Okay, I understand that you want to celebrate, but a three-month-long camping trip?” Pyxlevir asked.
“You’ve been camping before; you’d have a good time.”
“My camping was in the backyard at D’Vaire. It wasn’t exactly being out in the wild, and I prefer to sleep in a bed.”
“You sound like Crispin.”
“Is Crispin going?” Pyxlevir asked.
“No, he told us to have fun without him.”
“And Colby was fine with leaving his twin for three months?” Pyxlevir asked skeptically. Colburn and Crispin were half gargoyle, and their people were born as twins without exception. Although their parents had an enormous home and had offered the twins the chance to have separate rooms, Colburn and Crispin preferred to be together. Their tight bond was enviable, and Pyxlevir thought it was perfect that he and Gramlithyn had met the hybrids.
Neither Colburn nor Crispin was bothered by the close bond between Gramlithyn and Pyxlevir, as they had an even stronger friendship as twins. Pyxlevir believed it gave the four of them a deep understanding of each other, and he loved that he’d been given two people to add to his tiny band of friends.
Gramlithyn shrugged, and the beads in his hair clinked together as he shook his head. “It’s Crispin’s choice not to join us. We asked him to come. Just like I’m asking you now.”
“I don’t get why you’d plan this whole thing without talking to me or Crispin,” Pyxlevir retorted, his annoyance with Gramlithyn growing. “If you wanted it to be a fun trip for the four of us, don’t you think some input from us would be a good thing?”
Another negligent lift of Gramlithyn’s shoulders had Pyxlevir’s mouth twisting in irritation. “Colby and I started talking about trips we’d like to take one day. We both agreed that a road trip and camping at different spots would be cool. It sort of spiraled from there. You and Crispin weren’t around, and we ran with the idea. We looked through some stuff online and put together a rough list of places we want to go because I know you. I figured you’d start by asking me about the itinerary or whatever.”
“You thought I would be on board despite the fact that I’ve told you in the past when you’ve suggested we go campingthat I have zero interest in doing that? The last time I camped I was a kid, and I wasn’t roughing it at D’Vaire. What about Kalliope? She’s an old lady and deserves better than spending three months traipsing around campgrounds. I want her as comfortable as possible.”
Kalliope was far too close to the end of her life for Pyxlevir’s liking, but he couldn’t fight the inevitable no matter how hard he tried. Someday he’d have to say goodbye. Not right this minute though, so he had to remain focused on the fool with the grand plans he’d waited to share.
Gramlithyn bowed his head and shuffled his sandaled feet. “Your uncles and parents could take care of her if you didn’t want to bring her. But we’re growing up. Maybe we’re past the point where we do everything together.”
Shocked and hurt, Pyxlevir crossed his arms and refused to let any tears fall in front of his best friend. “I guess I had a different vision of our lives. I didn’t see things changing. Even after we met our mates, I figured we’d stay close.”
