Chapter 29
This whole Nikki thing brought a new dimension to life. Gunter was used to waking up alone, going through a morning routine, eating with the clan, and holing himself up with his books and research. It wasn’t that life was monotonous, per se. It was mostly just predictable.
Nikki and ‘predictable’ didn’t belong in the same sphere of existence.
Only two mornings together, and Gunter’s morning routine was already trashed the second Nikki opened their eyes.
It was energy, and affectionate kisses, and being tackled in the shower.
It became less a chore and more a show that Gunter was privileged to watch as Nikki tried on three different outfits in succession before settling on one.
Only to change their mind and go for something else entirely.
Gunter could admit, even if only to himself, that maybe life had been a bit boring before Nikki burst on scene.
They went up to breakfast and settled in with full plates.
Before much time had passed at all, Nikki was glancing at their phone and saying, “Oh, I’ve got a magic lesson with everyone in about twenty minutes.
” Nikki finished up the last bite of breakfast, smiling. “I’ll come get you for lunch, okay?”
They bounced up from the chair, smacked a kiss on Gunter’s mouth before he could get a word out edgewise, and bussed their dishes with a pep in their step.
Gunter could only watch, jaw dangling.
That was Nikki, right?
His Nikki, the one who distrusted and feared mages?
The Nikki who didn’t ever leave Gunter’s side?
And look at them now, skipping off to a magic lesson without a care in the world. Gunter was on the one hand incredibly proud. It was an amazing show of growth on Nikki’s part, and definitely a sign of healing. Really, Gunter couldn’t be more pleased or relieved.
But he might also be a bit gobsmacked, because when the hell had that happened? No, seriously, Gunter wanted a day and time when Nikki had abruptly switched opinions about the Burkhard mages. He’d feel better if he could chart this.
Not sure how to feel, Gunter finished breakfast and then went down to his library, because at least that didn’t change on him without warning.
It was fine. Nikki was showing signs of growth and improvement, and Gunter was truly happy about that.
No one should live in the shadow of another person out of fear like Nikki had been doing.
Gunter was pleased by this. Really. He’d just sit here and get some work done.
Nikki would get him at lunch, and he could follow up properly with the little one then.
Damn, it was quiet in here.
Gunter shook the thought off, focusing on his computer. Right. Where did he leave off yesterday? He conferred with his notes, all jotted down in the notebook just for this family line. Despite being written by his own hand, they made no sense. Or maybe it was because Gunter couldn’t concentrate.
It really was quiet in here. And it wasn’t like Nikki was loud all the time. Normally, they read in companionable silence. It was Nikki’s absence distracting Gunter so badly. Even when quiet and still, Nikki possessed a presence larger than life. The empty spot in the mage’s usual chair echoed.
Alright, Gunter might be projecting.
And moping.
And god, seriously, no one would suspect Gunter was over half a millennia old with the way he was acting right now.
Disgusted with himself, he stood up. Clearly, he had to do something else and get this out of his system. He wasn’t about to share any of this with Nikki and hamper his little one’s growth. Hell, no.
Not sure what to do with himself, he went out anyway. And kept walking. Maybe just getting out, getting some air would do it. Maybe even fly? He hadn’t flown in a few days. Gunter checked with his dragon. Fly?
No fly, dragon-self said. Nikki.
Right, so his dragon was not being cooperative. Fucking figured.
Gunter looked up, realized he had a dead-end hallway ahead of him, and turned to go and pace the other way.
But in turning, he recognized where he was—right outside of Alric’s office.
Instinctively, he wanted to go in. Surely Alric would understand what was going through Gunter’s head right now, considering his own struggles with Cameron in the beginning.
And he hadn’t really checked in with Alric properly as a friend since the drunk incident. Their meeting the other day didn’t count; that had been all business. It was long overdue. He wanted to know how Alric was healing now that the entire Abe family had taken on his case.
He had his hand on the door, knocking lightly against the wood, before he could overthink it.
“Enter!”
Still not sure if it was the best move, Gunter went in anyway, giving Alric a smile as he came through. “Morning.”
“Good morning.” Alric’s eyebrows lifted slightly in question. “A rare moment to see you in the morning. You’re usually in your dungeon by this time. Do you need something?”
“Ah, no, just haven’t started working yet, and I thought to ask you how you’re healing? I haven’t heard anything about it recently.”
Alric looked pleased. Downright smug, even.
“I’m healing well. Sora’s a miracle worker, as are his parents.
The numbness is now completely gone, the pain cut in half of what it used to be.
I shifted to dragon form for them yesterday for a full examination and they were adamant that I was leaps and bounds better than they’d hoped I’d be.
But then, my husband has been religious about applying all the treatments.
Cameron doesn’t miss a single day, no matter what insanity is going on around us. ”
“He’s a good mate. And I’m glad, Alric. I never thought this day would come.”
“Nor I. I still have three surgeries to undergo, and physical therapy, but they seem to think that at this rate, I’ll be well enough to fly longer distances in a year or so, instead of these short hops I’m doing now.
” Alric’s joy was readily apparent. “I’ll never be at the strength I once was, but at least I can take to the skies and carry Cameron short distances.
I missed our mating flight, and I’m dying to do so. ”
Gunter nodded in complete understanding.
It was an instinctual thing for dragons, that need.
The mating flight was something everyone did.
He knew it had hurt Alric that he hadn’t been able to fly properly with Cameron.
Even doing it belatedly, a year after their marriage, would still fulfill the need.
Alric eyed him suspiciously. “I think you’re about due for a mating flight.”
Gunter passed a hand over his face. “Skies above, I hope so.”
“Are things not going well with Nikki?” Alric waved him to the chair across the desk.
Gunter took it, readily dropping in. He already felt better with the invitation to talk this over with Alric. “Things are going very well, actually. Surprisingly well.”
“You say surprising because you’re such polar opposites, I assume?”
“I’m an unapologetic introvert, as everyone in the clan knows. Nikki is very much the extrovert. But they can still be good, quiet company when I’m not in the mood to talk. It’s…relaxing, being with them. I guess I always questioned if having a mate would drive me crazy.”
“I wondered too, from time to time. But I think you’ve learned that’s not the case.”
“No. No, I like having them about. Too much, it seems. Nikki went off to a magic lesson today, and I found myself suddenly missing them fiercely even though they’re only two stories away.”
“Ah.” Complete understanding was in Alric’s tone and expression.
“That. Yes, that’s something of a pain. I struggle with it still, with Cameron.
He’s only on the other end of the castle; it’s not like we’re separated by whole oceans.
And yet my dragon’s grumpy because my mate’s not nearby. It’s both exasperating and endearing.”
See, Gunter knew Alric would understand. “How do you deal?”
“I don’t.” Alric chuckled, amused at himself.
“I check in with him constantly. Cameron feels the pull just as strongly, as he swings by at least once during the day. Often, it’s not more than five minutes, as our schedules don’t overlap much.
Still, those five minutes are enough to quiet the itchy feet. At least for a few hours.”
“But I don’t want to interrupt them,” Gunter complained. Maybe it was a whine, it did go a little high pitched, there. “They’re finally making progress about trusting the other mages. I should leave them be, right?”
“New mates are so cute,” Alric said rhetorically to the air.
“Bite me, Alric.” Gunter slouched in his chair, glaring at his king.
“No, that’s your mate’s job. You’re not having second thoughts about taking them as a mate, are you?”
“Of course I’m fucking not.”
“I had to ask, as you weren’t exactly quick in courting them. Nikki had to basically wear you down.”
Gunter really wished he could refute that, but he couldn’t find a single toe to stand on.
“Yes, well, I had my own reasons for moving cautiously. As you know. My main concern is not overwhelming Nikki. I don’t know if Nikki is ready for that step.
I’ll take this in stages with them. But I asked them to move properly into my rooms, and Nikki readily did, so I’m hopeful. ”
Alric gave him a satisfied nod. “That is a good sign. Nikki’s definitely got some trauma to deal with. I don’t blame you for taking this at a slower pace. But I think if you ask, you’ll get a resounding yes.”
Gunter, in his heart of hearts, believed that to be true.
“I’m admittedly a little nervous with them, sometimes.
They still have these moments where they have to leave Burkhard for a few hours.
Sometimes they’re okay with me going, but sometimes they have to go alone.
And I know the root cause, so I’m not giving Nikki grief over it.
But…just, dark thoughts. Dark fears. That maybe they’ll not choose to stay, in the end. ”