Page 24 of Immortal Bonds

Creighton cracked a smile at that. "A big booty head?" he teased back.

Eden smirked while nodding. "Yes. And I think that there might be something in here for me. Is that right?"

Creighton nodded, then hung back while Eden dropped onto the floor and folded his legs, one box on either side of him. When Eden didn't immediately open it, Creighton was concerned that maybe he'd gotten it wrong. Instead, his friend looked up at him, his eyes somewhat glazed, and said, "Will you help me? I'm kind of scared, to be honest."

"Scared of what?" Creighton asked as he dropped down across from Eden. He placed his hands in his lap and set his satchel — which had been hanging across his body — beside him. It carried some basic things: his phone, in case he got a text from his Daddy; his keys for the shop and his house; some knickknacks that would calm him if need be. Oh, and one of his small Gnomes. He always had a Gnome on him. That was the way.

Once the bag was beside him and his hands were in his lap, he focused his full attention on Eden. "Tell me what you're thinking," Creighton pressed, unsure of how he could help.

"It's just that this is a really big deal and something I've wanted for a long time. Now that I have it, I'm scared it's not going to be as special, or that everything won't work out the way that I've dreamed of. There are a lot of variables involved and now that it's all about to happen, I'm lost."

Creighton tilted his head slightly and bit his bottom lip.

Eden smiled and shook his head. "It's okay, you can say whatever you're thinking. I know that I'm a lot. My family tells me all the time about how greedy I am. Two mates is too much."

Creighton straightened at that, his brow dipping. "It's not greedy. You want two mates, yes, but if fate allows it, then how is that greedy? That just seems like destiny and stuff, you know?"

Eden perked up at the mention of fate. "You believe in it? In fate, in mates and all that? I know some vampires don't."

Creighton shrugged. It was true — some vampires did not believe. They went out of their way to make life a living nightmare for anyone who did. Reason number two billion why he never fit into his family.

"I believe that the universe, that fate, guides us to where we need to be. I wound up in San Noctis because this was supposed to be my home. This is where I am the most relaxed and can create my Gnomes, create my art."

Eden bounced on the spot, clapping his hands. "And I'm so glad you wound up here because I need your art. Lots of it, all the time."

Creighton did a slow pan of the room, spotting several of his creations out and about. "I do see some familiar faces."

Eden giggled, then reached for both boxes at the same time. Part of the design of the box that Creighton had worked hard on was the ease with which one could open it. People who might be disabled or have differences in their ability to handle things didn't need to fight with packaging. They deserved access to their stuffies without difficulty. More than one of his clients had thanked him for it over the years.

That ease allowed Eden to rip them open at the same time. He released another squeal as he parted the lids to reveal the near-perfect replicas of what he'd requested. "They're perfect," Eden said. He lifted them out of the boxes in unison and held them close, burying his face in them. There was no scent on either — Creighton knew that — but from the way Eden sighed, you would have thought they smelled like the men they were modeled after.

"So you like them?" Creighton asked.

"Yes, I love them. They're perfect. How did you get this so accurate?"

Creighton shrugged. "I took my time, and the photos you gave me were perfect. I could see every little detail on them."

Eden looked up from where his face was buried in the animals. "I'm so, so thankful to you, Creighton. You have no idea how much I needed this. I can never say thank you enough. I could never pay you enough for what you've done for me."

Creighton's eyes went wide. "You've already paid me so much. What do you mean? I don't need any more money. Keep it." His voice rose with panic. He didn't want to be indebted to the prince, and if he was paid more, that's exactly what it would feel like — a debt.

"I won't pay you more if you truly feel you don't need it, but I really think you should reconsider. This craftsmanship, this work, is priceless. Truly, I'm indebted to you."

The words had Creighton releasing a snort of indignation, and that was when he heard the door behind them open.

"Oh, my uncle's here. Uncle T, look what my friend made me." Eden held up the creations, proud as ever, while inside Creighton felt a buzzing he'd never experienced before.

What is that? he thought to himself before turning to look over his shoulder.

In the doorway stood a man. A gorgeous man. He was broad and tall, and power radiated off his body in every direction. Creighton could practically see it. He had a million questions about who this Uncle T was. Eden had never mentioned him. In fact, he could have sworn that there were no relatives in the castle that weren't immediate family that weren't a direct line to Mira and Silas Saint.

The man stepped further into the room, letting the door close behind him.

It took Creighton a moment to find his voice. There was so much power, so much energy, he felt like he was floating. "Hi," he whispered.

The big man stared at him. His eyes were golden, like honey. It was enchanting. Creighton had the urge to crawl over to him and pull his face down to get a closer look. He shook his head to clear the thought. He didn't need to startle anyone. It wasn't necessarily arousal he was feeling, but curiosity — a depth, a wonder — that hadn't been there at any other time in his life.

The man whom Eden had referred to as Uncle T stepped forward slowly, like he was approaching a wild animal. When he reached the two of them, he stopped and dropped to his knees. Creighton's mouth fell open. The position was far more submissive and endearing than he expected from the man.