Page 26 of Immortal Bonds

The smell was unmistakable. It was the exact same one he'd caught wind of while in the coffee shop. The same one he’d wondered how to track.

That must mean… His mate and his Little Biter were one in the same. Thalric hadn’t needed to be worried about his heart being shared by two people. Fate had ensured his emotions were safe. Relief swarmed him as he closed his eyes, taking in the scent around him once more before facing what lay ahead.

After gathering himself, Thalric pressed the door open and stepped inside. The moment the door opened, Eden spotted him from across the space and held up two stuffed dragons that, even from afar, Thalric could tell were amazing.

The next few minutes passed in a blur as Eden encouraged his uncle to come look at them up close, and Thalric fought against his beast's desire to immediately claim the adorable Little vampire seated across from Eden.

Eventually, everything in his body settled enough for him to compliment the work and to agree with Eden that his friend should charge more. After exchanging names, Thalric was at a loss for what to do. His gut reaction was to let Creighton know they were mates and to begin the bond, but there was a sort of hesitancy in the air.

A part of Creighton that didn't immediately jump to be in Thalric's arms. Eden was too wrapped up in his own happenings to notice, and it wasn't like he could just say something to Creighton in front of him. He needed to be careful, needed to play it safe.

So instead, he convinced Creighton to show him the Gnome, and with that, the idea formed. "Would you like to meet a Gnome?" Thalric asked hesitantly.

The bright smile Creighton had given him when he said he also loved Gnomes brightened even further at the question. "I could meet them?"

Thalric nodded slowly. "Yes, you can, if you want."

"I want, I want," Creighton said eagerly, clapping his hands and bouncing much the way Eden typically did when in his Little mode. Thalric's heart warmed upon seeing such an action. Whether his boy knew it or not, he was everything that made him Thalric's perfect boy. Even so, it would possibly be too much too soon if Thalric pressed him. He couldn't risk his fated mate running away.

Eden managed to pull himself away from the dragons in his arms to join the conversation. "Oh yes, you should definitely take him to go see the Gnomes. They will be happy to have someone who appreciates them."

Thalric sniffed the air. "I appreciate them."

Eden rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but you've been so busy helping with everything that you haven't gone to see them as much as you usually do."

Thalric merely nodded at that. It was true. Growing up, after Mira had married Silas and they'd moved into the castle, Thalric had found a fondness for the Gnomes. It was part of the reason his Little Biter's obsession with them was so adorable. He'd always intended to take his boy to meet them. He just figured that he would be aware of said meeting as it happened — that he would know he was with his Daddy and having a special moment.

Instead, there was this sort of anonymity happening that couldn't be avoided. Not with how tense Creighton had been when Thalric first arrived. He would never push his boy, never give him cause to hesitate over his feelings of comfort.

Once it was decided they would go see the Gnomes, Creighton rose, and so did Thalric. Eden stayed with his dragons in hand, in no hurry to do anything. Thalric would have normally laughed at the adorable image of his nephew being enamored, but he was caught up in his own experience.

How could he keep Creighton forever? How could he show this young man that they were meant to be in every facet of the word?

Because they were. He would not live another day without knowing his mate, without protecting him and seeing to it that the adorable vampire had everything he ever wanted.

Not wanting to make things awkward, Thalric focused on asking Creighton questions as they walked: little facts about Gnomes that Creighton would know, things he had already shared with his Daddy over text.

Part of Thalric hoped that maybe Creighton would see the connection and realize he'd already shared a lot of this information with someone. But he also wanted to be sure he didn't push for too much too soon.

So rather than press further, he let himself be surprised along the way, pretending as if he'd never heard any of it, even though he'd memorized every fact the moment his boy had shared them.

Creighton kept up his information sharing the entire way to the observatory. When they reached the doors, he paused, his wide-eyed gaze moving to Thalric. "We're here?" he asked before swallowing thickly.

Thalric took a chance and held his hand out. "We are, and if you'd let me, I'd love to introduce you to them. They are very friendly and will be happy to know you're a fan. You can even show them your work." Thalric nodded towards the Gnome still in Creighton's hand.

He had left his bag behind — whether consciously or subconsciously — and that gave Thalric hope that he could maybe convince his boy to stay longer. For dinner. Or forever. Whichever seemed better fitting. He shook his head, muttering under his breath so Creighton couldn't hear him berate himself for being foolish.

"What was that?" Creighton said, his eyes wide as he turned to look at Thalric.

"Nothing. I'm merely excited for you. It's a big deal."

Creighton nodded but didn't say anything further. Then he clasped Thalric's hand and instantly settled. His gaze moved from their clasped hands to Thalric's face, and the dragon had to work hard not to show any type of reaction. One wrong move and it could be over. He didn't want that.

"Better?" Thalric asked, his voice soft.

"Yeah," Creighton said, as if he couldn't quite believe it.

Silly mate, Thalric thought. One day, he would tell his mate what was happening and it would all make sense. When he could share the truth of their connection, there would be no question. "Let's go inside then. No need to delay."