“It would be easier to start fresh somewhere else,” Gramlithyn concurred. “However, we both agreed to consider every possibility. I’m worried about what I’m doing next week, not what awaits me in a year.”
“I feel marginally better knowing you were honest about our agreement with the twins and your friend, Dasan.”
“It’s my fault, and I’m aware of that, but this isn’t easy. I promise to be as truthful as I can about everything. You’ve been far kinder than I deserve, and I appreciate it. You have every right to ignore me if we’re alone and slap a smile on your face whenever our housemates are around to convince them we’re trying. No one would blame you for going through the motions for twelve months, or at least I certainly wouldn’t. But you’ve been nice despite how pissed you are at me.”
“Because I’m not a liar and I honor Fate as I was taught. It remains to be seen if she was right or if we can overcome theobstacles she didn’t intend, but I made a commitment. I intend to do my part.”
“Thank you, and for what’s it worth, I apologize again. I have plenty of regrets about the things I’ve done in the past six years, but dwelling on them won’t change anything or make my decisions any easier to understand or accept.”
“That may be true, but clarity is also important, so I hope you strive to be honest with me. That is what I’d appreciate, anyway.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Pyxlevir nodded and, without another word, scooped his dish off the island and dunked it into the dishwasher. Gramlithyn watched him disappear into the darkened hallway off the kitchen and sagged against the counter. His heart felt lighter, but he wasn’t sure why—or if anything they’d discussed had hurt or helped his cause to have Pyxlevir as his bonded mate.
Time, he supposed, would tell.
Chapter 16
Each month, every person connected to the D’Vaire clan made the trek to the enormous mansion owned by High Kings Aleksander and Rafe, and despite the change to his living arrangements, Pyxlevir wasn’t missing a moment with his extended family. The second his workday was completed, he’d rushed home to grab essentials. Now, Pyxlevir was ready to indulge in whatever wild, wacky shenanigans awaited him in Arizona.
He left his bedroom, looking forward to being in a more comfortable environment. Like his suite at the Centaurus homestead, he’d decorated his space at D’Vaire, and he loved the blues and soft purples he’d chosen in both houses. In the living room, Pyxlevir found the twins already waiting for him.
“Ready?” Pyxlevir enthused.
“Yep,” Colburn replied. “Hey, Gramlithyn, are you and Dasan ready to go?”
“Wait, where are we going?” Dasan asked as he bounded into the room.
“We’re going to D’Vaire,” Colburn answered. “Everyone in the family gathers once a month. I thought you guys knew. Sorry, we should’ve let you know it was this weekend.”
“It’s fine,” Gramlithyn said. “My mom sent me a text on Monday. I told her I wasn’t going, but I hope you guys have fun.”
Dasan’s mouth fell open comically, and his gray-green eyes widened. “You didn’t tell me anything about a weekend trip. I’ve read that Council book and seen those D’Vaire guys. They’re super hot. Can I go?”
“Yes, they are,” Colburn replied with a chuckle. “And of course you can. There are plenty of guest rooms. Gramlithyn, are you sure you don’t want to join us? This apartment is going to be lonely as fuck without any of us.”
“Come on, Gram, you gotta introduce me to everyone and point out my faux pas,” Dasan insisted with a hop. “What is the plural of faux pas? Faux pases?”
“No, it’s faux pas,” Pyxlevir explained. “It’s both singular and plural. Like sheep.”
“Fuck, and I’ve been calling them sheeps my whole life,” Dasan said. “My education was shit. Maybe I should go back and learn something. The Council is all braggy in that book about school, at least the wizard stuff. Maybe they’d let my dumb ass in.”
“I went to the Spectra Academy,” Gramlithyn replied. “It’s definitely an excellent school.”
“Dude, not sure you’re the finest example. You make shitty choices constantly,” Dasan countered with a cheeky grin.
Gramlithyn rolled his eyes but didn’t bother to rebuke his friend.
“I also graduated from the Spectra Academy,” Pyxlevir said. “So did Colby and Crispin. Now we’re productive members of society. You can trust us. Crispin works for the Royal Order of the Gargoyle, and Colby is a valued employee of Gargoyle Security.”
“Once we graduated from the Spectra Academy, the three of us continued our education at Starlight University,” Crispinsupplied. “But Pyxlevir is the only one in our little group with his master’s degree, so his advice is usually the best because he’s definitely the smartest among us.”
“That’s not true; my decision to continue my education doesn’t make me smarter, just more willing to suffer for scholastic accomplishment,” Pyxlevir responded with a rueful shake of his head.
“Congratulations,” Gramlithyn said. “You didn’t have plans to get your master’s when we were kids, but I’m not surprised. You’ve always been smart and loved school.”
“We qualified for the Spectra Academy on the same day,” Pyxlevir reminded Gramlithyn. “But none of that matters right now. Are you guys going to get packed so we can head to D’Vaire?”
