Page 29 of Immortal Bonds

No Thalric.

No Eden.

It would be quiet again, and while it had never bothered him before, Creighton found himself dreading it now.

"What’s wrong?" The question drew his attention.

"I don't know what you mean," Creighton answered quickly.

"What is it?" Thalric's tone was firm. He wasn't asking. He was stating a fact, and he wanted answers. The Gnomes had gone quiet. They were watching the exchange. Creighton would have been embarrassed if Thalric hadn't taken his chin in hand and tilted it up. While he wanted to hide, he understood the other man was being clear.

"It's just that I—" he paused. "I don't know why but—" he paused again.

No one rushed him. It was as if they were all waiting to see what he'd say.

Creighton closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then he let the confession fall off his tongue. "After this, I have to go home and be alone, and now that I have met you and the Gnomes, I don't like the idea as much."

The hand on Creighton’s chin warmed, and he opened his eyes with a start. What in the world?

"My apologies. Your words triggered my dragon into responding. He wanted you to know that you don't have to be alone."

"I don't?"

"You don't," Thalric said.

Creighton shivered at the promise in Thalric's voice. "Okay," he agreed easily, because what else did you do? The man said he wouldn't be alone. While it might have been foolish to anyone else, he trusted Thalric in a strange way. The man intrigued him in a way that no one else ever had, and probably ever would.

"It's settled then. Now you can return to focusing on the joy of your visit with the Gnomes."

Looking back at the gathered group before him, Creighton smiled sheepishly. "Yes, my apologies. Please continue. I want to know about you and your customs."

The Gnomes picked back up without drawing any focus to the fact that he had been distraught just moments before. It was a relief to know that he could simply have a moment to regroup, and no one would judge him, that they wouldn't think any less of him.

Creighton squeezed Thalric's hand, thankful for the other man. Thankful for the entire experience he was having.

As the rest of the afternoon wore on, he found himself more and more thankful because his life was beautiful. It was great. He didn't need to worry that he was too much for the Gnomes, that his excitement would be misconstrued in any way. They were honored and spoke to him as if he was someone important in their world, and he liked it. He liked being of value to other people.

When the sound of a grumbling stomach made everyone pause, Creighton shyly hid his face and ducked down.

"It's okay," Thalric said. "It’s getting to be dinnertime anyway. Come, I must feed you."

Creighton bit his lip. While he didn't want to leave, he needed to respect that Thalric had already done so much for him. "We can come back another time," the other man said, as if reading Creighton's mind.

"Yes," the Gnomes said in unison. "We would like that."

The dimming smile he had returned quickly to its full wattage. "I would like that too."

With the promise made, Thalric stood and, in an odd turn of events, lifted Creighton off his feet. He yelped for a moment but settled quickly after being placed back on his feet. The Gnomes said their goodbyes, and he watched them disappear back into their homes. When his stomach growled again, he reluctantly agreed it was time to go.

It wasn't until they reached the dining room that Creighton realized his mistake. He'd been so caught up in the moment with the Gnomes that it hadn't even registered that Thalric was leading them to eat.

As in to eat with people.

As in Thalric's family. The Saint family.

Sure, he knew Eden, but the rest of them? No thanks. He wasn't brave enough. Before he could go into a full-blown panic, a hand on the back of his neck calmed every part of him.

"It's going to be okay." The soft voice felt like a warm hug. "I've got you. My family will love you."