Loch & Key (Miracle: Salvation Isle #7)

17. CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 17

“What?”

After the last couple of days of back-to-back patients, Nessim hadn’t imagined the suggestion of them moving to another remote location. That the town was a remote location without a confirmed Alpha to lead, it wasn’t exactly ideal.

Still…Nessim couldn’t deny the thought of not having to constantly travel from place to place to see his patients held an appeal he appreciated. It wasn’t as if he was constantly traveling, but it was often enough to make it exhausting.

Plus, even though Aban said those who needed therapy would live in the new town didn’t mean they would. Right?

Strong arms wrapped around him and drew him into his mate’s embrace. “This isn’t something we need to decide immediately,” Aban assured him. “Even if the Council bought it and created a new haven, it would take months to make it work.”

It took several tries, but Nessim breathed deeply. “That’s it, sweet one,” Aban murmured when Nessim had managed to finally take a full breath.

“I told everyone we wouldn’t move unless you were onboard.” Aban’s reassurance meant the world to him. “Nothing happens unless we both agree.”

That right there was what had Nessim hesitating. “And what would you prefer?” he asked. It felt amazing that his mate deferred any plans so they could discuss it, but that didn’t mean their entire lives should be up to Nessim.

For a second, he could see Aban questioning if he should be honest, but he was. “I’m on the fence,” his mate admitted. “A part of me would love to find a safe place where I would never have to worry if you were safe. That said, I also know from the few days we’ve been together that you love helping others. That said, the constant traveling seems…”

Aban winced before tilting his head as if weighing his words. “A lot.” There was an even bigger wince after that as if he wasn’t certain how Nessim would accept his words.

He loved that his mate was concerned about his feelings. “Thank you.” Nessim kissed his mate with those words. “As for where we should live, I think we need to discuss it together.”

He could see that Aban wasn’t quite certain what to think.

Smiling, Nessim gave him another kiss. “There are going to be a lot of decisions we will need to decide on as a couple. But this one seems fairly simple. Sure, I have a home both in Miracle and Salvation Isle, but neither one has a place in my heart.”

Was it wrong to adore the way his mate tilted his head in confusion?

“You were right when you started this conversation about my desire to help others.” They might have only been together a few days, but it warmed him from the inside that Aban had already noticed that about him. “ But I can do that anywhere. Where we live should be based on both of us.”

Aban chuckled lightly. “True. I just don’t want you to think that decision has to be based on what I might prefer.”

Nessim might have already been on Aban’s lap, but he curled in even closer to him. “I promise, I don’t. But I also have to admit to liking the idea of not having to travel between towns so much.”

Those muscular arms that had already been holding him pressed Nessim closer. “You know there is a thing called FaceTime? You don’t always have to be face to face.”

Yeah, he knew. The only problem was his patients seemed to reject it. There were other therapists in both Miracle and Salvation, but those he talked to the most didn’t want anyone but Nessim. Nor were they okay with ‘talking’ to him on a screen.

That was the biggest obstacle. But, as he was learning, Aban had already foreseen that issue.

“I get you don’t feel comfortable leaving your patients, but they will be given the option to move too,” Aban promised. “And the Council will pay for them to do so.”

Was that good or not? Obviously, he loved that no one would have to decide to stay where they lived because they couldn’t pay to move, but he also didn’t want any of them to feel they had to move.

“What if…” he started, but Aban pressed a finger against his lips to stop him.

“I get you are worried about those who count on you and—trust me—I love you for that,” Aban said before giving him a quick kiss. “But this isn’t something that will happen quickly,” his mate promised.

“Even though Terrence seems to be okay with being Alpha of this new town didn’t mean he would ultimately do so.” Aban had a valid point. “Even if he ended up doing so, it would take months to a year to build enough roads, housing, and any other infrastructures that might be needed. Your patients would have plenty of time to decide if they were willing to move—if that’s what we end up doing—or find another therapist.”

Was he seriously the luckiest man in the world to have Aban for a mate? Nessim was positive it was true. “I’m not saying yes yet, but, ” he stressed. “I want to see this new town. I admit, I hate traveling as much as I do, but I won’t give up on those who need me.”

Nessim wasn’t certain he’d said any of that right when he should have made Aban more of a priority. Right?

Apparently, his mate hadn’t felt slighted as his arms squeezed Nessim even more. “You are so damn loving, sweet one. In my entire life, I’ve met no one who cared for others as much as you do.”

Sinking into his mate’s embrace, Nessim clung to the only person in his life whom he cared about as much as who cared about him. “I love you.”

That wasn’t even a doubt. Nessim cherished his mate with all his heart. That Aban had provided him with the choice of where they lived made it all that much sweeter.

“And for future reference,” he said as he pressed a kiss to those delectable lips he loved. “As long as we are together, I’m home.”

It was his truth. One that Nessim refused to deny.

“That said, assuming the plans for this new town are real, I can’t deny. I might prefer it.” Not so much because of the constant traveling, although it was a part of it, but more because Nessim was tired of not…belonging.

He wasn’t certain if Aban would understand that Nessim wanted to convey his need to live…no…belong to his mate.

The radiant smile he received had Nessim believing he’d said what he needed to.

“I love you so damn much, my sweet one,” Aban told him a second before he pressed those firm lips to his. “Never once doubt that wherever you want to live, I will be there right by your side.”

As much as those words made his heart soar, they didn’t diminish their need to communicate. Nessim might have appreciated that his mate would give up his own life for him, but it was never exactly healthy.

“No,” he said, even though it pained him to do so.

“We are a couple,” he told the man of his dreams. “Our journey is ours. Not yours. Not mine. But ours. Please don’t put on where we end up on either of us.” That was a responsibility Nessim didn’t want.

Not only would he hate it, but he was certain in the end it would destroy their relationship.

A little thrill of pleasure went through him when Aban’s lips tilted up into a smile. “That sounds perfect, my sweet one.”