Page 22 of Immortal Bonds

"And?" Thalric said.

"He already responded." Eden turned his phone around, and Thalric could see that the message said: I can come later in the week if you're okay waiting.

"You need to confirm when, okay? We've got a lot to figure out before then."

They would have a lot to do before his arrival. Thalric immediately went into Daddy mode, wanting to have the situation perfect for his boy. He knew his Little Biter was shy, and if Eden's words were true, then he was the same in real life. That meant he had double the obstacles ahead of him. What would his Little Biter think if he discovered that Thalric was in town, that they were in the same place for once, and that the possibility of them meeting was higher than ever? Would he take the news well or would he try to run and hide? Thalric wasn't sure. It could be either, especially since his Little Biter was secretive about himself.

A part of him wanted to ask Eden to explain more about his possible mate. He wanted to know if his suspicions about his Little Biter being a vampire were correct. He wanted to know what the other man looked like and his favorite things. If Eden really was his friend, he would know all of this, but it would be cheating in a sense. It already was somewhat deceitful since he knew how they were connected and his Little Biter didn't.

"Uh-oh," Eden said. "You're feeling guilty."

Thalric shrugged. "I can't apologize for how I feel. I don't want him to think that this is somehow me trying to manipulate him and make things work out. I don't want him to feel forced or that I pushed his hand. He has not once mentioned meeting me, though I've thought of it a million times. I didn't feel it was right to bring up."

"Okay, but what if he never does? What if you go a century and you still don't know anything more about him than what you share online? Do you really want that to be the case?"

"Of course not," Thalric said instantly. "But I also don't want to lose him by pushing him away."

Eden crawled closer to his uncle and got up on his knees. He placed his hands on Thalric's shoulders, holding him steady. "You're never gonna know if you don't take the chance, Uncle T. Be brave. Be yourself."

"Be myself," Thalric repeated, though he phrased it like a question.

"Yeah, not the guy who performs for everyone, the one that's boasting and showing off. Be you, Uncle T. Like you are here, except not uncle-y, because that would cross some boundaries that I don't want to think about."

That made Thalric snort. He always laughed a lot when he was around Eden.

"Alright, you laughed. I consider that a handshake, so it's settled. You're gonna be brave, and I'm gonna convince my friend to be brave, and we're all gonna be in the same place, and once I know you two are not going to like explode into flames, then I'll leave you to have your private moment. I do suggest not doing anything in public spaces though, because the helpers might see, and it could get a little awkward later." Eden made an expression that Thalric instantly knew meant he was speaking from experience. "Not that I'm speaking from experience, of course, but Romilly and Archer are — yeah."

Thalric instantly knew the expression meant the newly-mated couple were happy and healthy in their relationship. He didn't think he would have the same problem, though he'd never experienced a fated mate bond. Maybe he should ask his sister. She would tell him what he wanted to know, hopefully without too many details.

"Thank you, Eden," he said. "I appreciate you helping me with all of this, because I don't know if I would have done it on my own. That or I would have gone headfirst and messed it up before it really had a chance."

Eden wrapped his arms around Thalric, hugging him tight. "Of course. I always got your back. Besides, if it all works out, I still get all the benefits. It's honestly probably more selfish than anything."

Thalric tickled Eden's sides. The young man started giggling uncontrollably as he yanked himself away, trying to escape the hold.

"Oh, selfish, huh? You're just a greedy little thing, aren't you?" Thalric continued to tickle his nephew for several minutes, letting himself simply enjoy the moment of play between them.

He could worry about meeting his Little Biter later. He could make all the plans and set everything in motion. For now, he would accept the relief that playing with his family could bring. He had missed San Noctis. He'd missed the Saint family. And maybe, if fate really had brought all of this together the way he hoped, he wouldn't have to miss them anymore.

CHAPTER 8

CREIGHTON

Creighton was shocked to find that Eden wanted him to come to the castle to deliver his order. The other man enjoyed getting out of his royal obligations often. He'd told Creighton as much when he'd come by to visit, but for some reason this time was different.

Creighton didn't mind the trip. The castle was beautiful to look at as a non-royal. Though it did bring up some not-so-fun memories of his own family. He understood that just because one set of important people were horrible didn't mean that all were.

Eden had proven that himself with how kind he'd been to Creighton. From their first meeting, Creighton knew that he was lucky to have found a kindred spirit in the other man.

But what Creighton worried about most was whether everyone would be that way towards him. Was Eden the oddball of his family? Could he find himself in the midst of some heated drama? Would they judge him for his inability to scent them?

It wasn't something he could know, and it definitely wasn't something he could ask either. Eden might not take offense, but Creighton had manners. He swore he did.

Creighton carried the boxes with the two dragons in his hands as he approached the gate to the castle. He always made sure to seal his creations. It was partly to help prevent any outside scents from hitting them, and also the powerful spell he used would remove his own scent as well.

At least what might be detected of it anyway. It was all a precaution, one he took very seriously as part of his business. While it wasn’t a problem for him with his blockers in place, he knew it could be an issue for his customers.

With Eden’s request being so different, Creighton opted not to bring the letter with him. He’d keep it safe for a later time when they weren’t surrounded by other people. At his shop they’d have had privacy for Eden to react to the note. Here, it might be different.