Chapter Nine
Nix
“Who’s a good dragon?” Nix rubbed Eirwen’s massive snout.
Eirwen blew out freezing cold air from his nose while leaning harder against Nix’s chest.
“Did you enjoy your flying? You were so gorgeous up there.” Nix had stayed outside the cave this time so he could catch glimpses of his beautiful dragon. Eirwen had flown for a couple of hours but every fifteen minutes or so he would circle above Nix.
With the magic fire at his back, Nix huddled inside his jacket, but the warm gigantic dragon on his lap kept him comfortable. Nix didn’t want to leave. He loved hockey and there was nothing better than the anticipation before the game or the energy of a game but this was intimate. Special.
Eirwen nuzzled him again. His dragon was such a cuddler.
Neither of their condos was big enough to have this moment often. From head to tail, Eirwen was bigger than Nix had pictured. His massive head had to weigh as much as Nix. It seemed so unfair when Nix shifted several times a week.
It had become habit for Nix to shift into his fruit bat and get hand-fed pumpkin from Evan before napping in Evan’s lap as his Daddy read a book. Eirwen was locked inside, having to wait for the space to be let out. He was already trying to come up with something special he could do for his dragon.
“I’m glad that Evan reminded me that I can talk right to you,” Nix confessed. It was vital that Eirwen knew how Nix felt. He would continue to nurture this budding bond with his dragon.
Eirwen bumped him again.
Nix scratched under his dragon’s chin as that usually resulted in some happy rumbles. “My sweet dragon.”
* * * * *
Gem
The snowfall was heavy outside his bedroom window but the view was mesmerizing. Gem’s apartment was in the heart of downtown close to the arena he played in and nicer than most hotels he had stayed in. The Boston Beans hadn’t spared any expense to bring Gem onto the team.
The apartment building housed not only several teammates but other professional athletes and high-powered businesspeople.
The building catered to those who valued privacy and convenience.
He could pick up the phone and request a concierge to make a run for him, bringing him any supplies he might need.
There were two restaurants on the second floor along with a small market and even a coffee shop-bakery combo.
The gym located on the third floor would put several chains to shame.
A business center and access to meeting rooms also came with his lease.
Everything that Gem might need was at his fingertips.
Almost everything. None of that helped with the loneliness of returning to his quiet and cold apartment.
There was no one waiting at home for him, not even a pet.
It wouldn’t be fair to have an animal spend so much time alone.
Gem was sometimes away for a week at a time for away games.
Now that the holiday was over, the season would on full swing.
He even had a game the next day but at least it was at home and he didn’t need to travel. Gem hadn’t even unpacked his bags.
He had dropped his bags by his front door but had wandered through his apartment, ending up in front of the sliding glass doors in his bedroom.
The lights of his new city shone below him.
Such a gorgeous sight. Gem rubbed his chest. He was feeling the absence of his brothers strongly.
The last few days spent with his family had been good but short.
Gem had a better feeling about how Aries and Nix were doing in their new relationships. In the back of his head, Gem was always low-key worried about his brothers. Especially being so far from them. With both in secure relationships, the concern left was about the threats on ice.
He’d first gotten word that some of the big predators were targeting them from a friend he’d made in college that now played on another team.
Gem was grateful for the intel although it just added to his constant worry.
He wasn’t as big of a target as Aries and Nix.
He was a goalie, so there was already a built-in protection.
Aries was one of the top goal scorers in Vegas and Nix was leading the league in assists.
They were both in the line of fire. At least they both had people to watch their backs.
Placing his hand on the glass of the balcony doors, Gem liked the cold against his hand.
The cold seemed to seep inside him. It wasn’t easy being the rookie on a team in a rebuild year.
The other players were nice and he did have a few teammates that he considered friends, but no one that he felt like he could confide in.
This wasn’t how Gem expected his year to go.
Closing his fist, he knocked it against the glass.
He hit it again. Not out of anger but just to feel something.
Anything. He was there. Gem was a winner.
He’d fought his entire life to stand out.
The eldest triplet that had to protect his family.
The older son of a mother that made sacrifices their entire lives.
The goalie of his team tasked with keeping the other team from scoring on them.
So much responsibility. Gem thrived when put on the spot.
All he needed to do was maintain his focus.
Gem pushed away from the doors but left the curtains open.
Boston was his city now. He’d signed a seven-year contract with them. He was there to stay.
Strolling through his two-bedroom, one-bath apartment with an open concept living room, kitchen, and workout area, Gem could admit that it might be time to spruce up the space.
There were pictures of him and his family above his mantel. A large eight by ten of him in his Boston Beam’s uniform centered around the family photos. There wasn’t much more around his apartment. He needed color. Or something that spoke to his Dom side.
His spare bedroom was just that, spare. He had no furniture or anything inside. Gem had considered making that room his office but now he had other thoughts. Gem crossed the room to where he left his bag and suitcase. He snagged the bag handle, taking it to the black leather couch.
Pulling out his laptop, Gem considered what search he needed to use.
He had a dungeon to build. There was no working out a quick trip to the west coast quite yet.
Gem wasn’t giving up and maybe that meant he’d be able to talk Ty into coming to see him.
He knew that Ty was struggling at work but that might mean his boy needed a break.
If there was a chance to bring Ty to him, then Gem would take it.
Even if it meant making changes to the arrangement of their dynamic.
There had to be a time when they started to trust one another.
From his pocket, Gem’s phone chimed with the notification from the app.
He smiled as he pulled his cell out. Just the boy that he had been thinking about. A message popped up on the screen and Gem swiped it away before opening the app.
‘I’ll be in Boston in two weeks. Can I see you?’
Fuck! Gem’s entire body tightened in anticipation. Perfect.
His fingers shook as he replied.
‘I would be disappointed if you didn’t.’
‘I’ll only have one night. I can meet you at the club after I finish for the day.’
One night wasn’t enough but Gem would take it. Gem wanted to offer his place right then, but he still had work to do. Until he knew for sure that he could provide his sub what he needed, Gem would hold off. But this was the kick in the ass he needed.
‘I can’t wait to see you, boy.’
‘Me too, Master. You have no idea how much I need to see you.’
That’s right. Ty needed him and it was up to Gem to cement that.
Gem didn’t care if it was on the ice or at the club. Let the games begin.