Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
F inn
By the weekend, the sexual tension between them had reached such a point, Finn was having trouble concentrating on his job. Ajax watched him. All the time. And the music flowing out of that studio and from around the house was filled with the most sensual beats he’d ever heard.
Finn was spending most of his time hard.
His desire was getting out of hand, compounded by his suspicion that Ajax might be more to him than just a hookup. He didn’t know what to do, but it seemed like a good idea to seek advice from someone who’d been through the same thing. So he called Alaric and asked to meet him for coffee. His friend readily agreed.
They settled into a relatively private booth and got their orders. The scent of roasting coffee beans was thick in the air, along with whatever they’d just pulled out of the oven. Some kind of yeasty bread. Finn had ordered an iced tea and a scone, and he picked at it, leaving crumbs on the small plate. He didn’t beat around the bush. “I’ve got a problem,” he told Alaric.
“I’m listening.”
Finn eyed his friend, who looked really good. His black hair lay in loose waves past his shoulders. Contentment had smoothed out his sharp features, and Finn knew he was happy with Ezra. “How did you know that Ezra was your mate?”
“I didn’t at first, but I was drawn to him despite that sarcastic mouth of his. More drawn than I’d ever been to anyone else.”
“His ability to see past glamours. That’s what makes him special, right?” He knew the answer but asked all the same.
Alaric tucked a strand of hair behind his ear and cocked his head. “Why do you ask?”
“Because if I ask Xavier, I have a feeling he won’t tell me the answer.”
Alaric cracked a grin. “True, though you might be surprised. But to answer your question, yes. From what I understand, these humans had preternaturals in their family line that gave them this ability. Not all of them. For instance, Ezra’s brother couldn’t see past glamours.” He frowned at the memory and Finn knew he was thinking about how Ezra’s brother had tried to kill him. “But it gives them another ability as well.”
“Soulmates.”
Nodding, Alaric reached for his mug and took a sip. “You think you’ve met yours.”
“I don’t know. I’m feeling something I can’t explain. It’s opened up a whole new can of worms. Is it true that Ezra’s not going to age?”
Alaric nodded, a fond smile crossing his face. “Thankfully. Xavier helped cement that with a spell, but it’s only possible with soulmates.”
“Aren’t you worried people in Ezra’s life will notice that he never gets older?”
“A little. But most of those people are shit outside of his one best friend. Still, we’re very private, and we can always move if we’re worried about it.”
Finn glared at the crumbs on his plate. “Ajax is famous. His face is plastered all over videos and the internet.”
“And?”
“So there’s no way to escape it, unless he retires. Gives up being a musician. The guy is world famous, and he’s worked hard to get where he is. I couldn’t ask him to give that all up.”
“I thought you had no interest in settling down.”
“Never did before. Ajax…is changing my mind. Though, that’s not entirely true. I was already having these feelings. Meeting him just brought everything more into focus. I like him, Alaric. Really like him.” He rubbed at a spot of condensation next to his glass of iced tea. “I’m not sure I’ve ever been this terrified in my life, even as a child. And you know how I grew up.”
Alaric placed his hand on top of Finn’s. “What are you scared of?”
“Knowing what he could be to me and having to walk away. Or having him walk away. How could I possibly ask someone like that to give up everything they’d worked so hard for?”
“That is tough, and you’re right. Someone famous like that couldn’t continue to do what he does once he stopped aging.” Alaric frowned, wrapping both hands around his coffee mug. “Have you talked to Xavier about this at all?”
“No. I will have to, but not yet.” Finn looked at his friend, knowing his expression revealed how…bleak this all made him feel. “I want what you have. Didn’t know how badly I did until I met Ajax.”
“You’re talking about Ajax Craig from Back to Chaos, aren’t you?”
Finn nodded.
Alaric blew out a breath and leaned back. “They’re fucking huge. Ezra’s crazy about them, has all their music. They’re good. Though I suppose Ajax could eventually just back out of the public.”
“And do what? Give up what makes him who he is?” Finn shook his head, his heart feeling twice its weight.
“He’s returning these feelings?”
“Yeah. He wants to basically have a fling while he’s here. We kissed, and it blew my mind.”
Alaric nodded, a small smile playing about his lips. “It’s like that with your soulmate.”
Finn scrubbed his hands over his face and groaned. “I had to be paired with someone whose entire existence is centered around their music. And he’s good. So fucking good. He’s working on entirely different music, and it’s unbelievable. He’ll be just as popular as a solo artist—I have no doubt. He thrives on creating his art, and have you seen BTC’s videos? Because he thrives while performing, too.”
“I’ve actually seen them live. Went with Ivor and Ezra. Yeah, he obviously enjoys being on stage. I wish I had answers for you, Finn. But I will say this. You can’t give him up. Having a soulmate fulfills you in a way that’s hard to describe. And now that you know who he is, now that you’ve touched him, you won’t be able to live without him. Not happily. Can you honestly see yourself trying to go it alone after knowing him?”
Finn shook his head. “No. But I could be with him throughout his natural human lifetime.”
“The fact you’re even considering that says a lot about you, Finn. But then you’d be spending hundreds of years missing him. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, and you’re my friend.” Alaric folded his arms on the table, leaning forward. “Talk to Xavier. And at some point, talk to Ajax. He may choose you, Finn.”
“It’s his having to choose that’s killing me. Music is who he is. It’s his life.”
“Then find a way he can keep you both.”
Finn sagged in his booth seat. “I honestly don’t know what to do. All I know is that the more I’m around him, the more attached I grow. He’s just so damn perfect for me. The way he sees the world… It’s magic. It’s like he was designed just for me.”
“If he’s your soulmate, then he was. I couldn’t believe Ezra was for me at first because he drove me crazy. We couldn’t be more opposite. But it just works. He completes me in a way I had no idea I needed.” He picked up his mug and took a slow sip as he stared at Finn. “Ajax wouldn’t have to give up his music, though. He could still create it. He’d just have to give up the fame, and not right away. Some people hardly show their age. Look at Paul Rudd.” He cracked a grin.
That brought a chuckle out of Finn. “True. But we’re talking hundreds of years, and I just can’t see a man that dynamic staying in the background.”
“You really need to talk with Xavier.”
“I will when I’m ready to admit I’m thinking of breaking his damn rules.”
“Trust me, he will be open to it. He was with me. And with Callan and Bain.”
Finn narrowed his eyes at his friend. “You think he knew ahead of time?”
Alaric wouldn’t meet his gaze. “I can’t answer that.”
“He did, then. He so did.” Reeling, Finn sat up straighter. “Fuck, that doesn’t change anything. This is still a problem. One I can’t think of an answer to. I’m going to have to find a way to resist him.”
“I don’t think you can. That pull…it’s stronger than we are. I couldn’t resist Ezra, and I’m so happy I didn’t. He’s everything to me.” Alaric touched his hand again. “I want that for you, Finn. Don’t you think you deserve happiness?”
“It’s not my happiness I’m worried about,” he muttered.
“Just the fact you care so much about his means he truly is what you believe he is. He belongs to you. And you to him. You’ll find a way to make it work. You really have no choice.”
But he did have a choice. That was the problem.