Chapter 1 #2
“For three months?” Pyxlevir spoke to Gramlithyn daily and had never gone longer than a couple of days without seeing him.
The idea of being parted for three entire months was horrible.
But the alternative didn’t tempt Pyxlevir.
Camping was not his idea of fun, and he’d be damned if he was going to leave his beloved dog at home by herself.
Kalliope was too elderly to enjoy scampering through the woods or be deprived of her heated bed.
“Yes, we’re celebrating our graduation from high school,” Gramlithyn replied, his tone level. “We’re starting college in the fall, and we’ve already signed up to work at Elven D’Vaire. This may be the last time for a while that we’ll get a chance to take a long trip like this.”
Elven D’Vaire was formerly known as the Valzadari Beading Company and was run by Pyxlevir’s father and a board of directors including Gramlithyn’s parents.
It was Pyxlevir’s fondest wish to do his part to ensure the company remained at the forefront of successful companies throughout the Council.
He also adored that he was still asked to model the lovely beaded creations sold through Elven D’Vaire.
It was fun to put on such gorgeous outfits, and he worked with a renowned photographer, Skeleton Lord-mate Teverild Daray. Like Pyxlevir, Teverild was part of the large extended clan of D’Vaires. The High Draconis Court of D’Vaire was run by two fantastic dragons, High Kings Aleksander and Rafe.
Pyxlevir considered himself lucky that his father’s cousin, Chieftain-mate Evlithar Cwylld-D’Vaire, called Aleksander and Rafe’s mansion in Arizona home.
Along with his mate, Chieftain Cadlyr Cwylld-D’Vaire, Evlithar had babysat Pyxlevir until he was old enough to stay home alone after school.
Pyxlevir had spent countless quality hours with the D’Vaires and was grateful that the entire family gathered in Arizona every month for an entire weekend.
Those trips were always fun and not to be missed.
“Okay, I understand that you want to celebrate, but a three-month-long camping trip?” Pyxlevir asked.
“You’ve been camping before; you’d have a good time.”
“My camping was in the backyard at D’Vaire. It wasn’t exactly being out in the wild, and I prefer to sleep in a bed.”
“You sound like Crispin.”
“Is Crispin going?” Pyxlevir asked.
“No, he told us to have fun without him.”
“And Colby was fine with leaving his twin for three months?” Pyxlevir asked skeptically.
Colburn and Crispin were half gargoyle, and their people were born as twins without exception.
Although their parents had an enormous home and had offered the twins the chance to have separate rooms, Colburn and Crispin preferred to be together.
Their tight bond was enviable, and Pyxlevir thought it was perfect that he and Gramlithyn had met the hybrids.
Neither Colburn nor Crispin was bothered by the close bond between Gramlithyn and Pyxlevir, as they had an even stronger friendship as twins.
Pyxlevir believed it gave the four of them a deep understanding of each other, and he loved that he’d been given two people to add to his tiny band of friends.
Gramlithyn shrugged, and the beads in his hair clinked together as he shook his head. “It’s Crispin’s choice not to join us. We asked him to come. Just like I’m asking you now.”
“I don’t get why you’d plan this whole thing without talking to me or Crispin,” Pyxlevir retorted, his annoyance with Gramlithyn growing. “If you wanted it to be a fun trip for the four of us, don’t you think some input from us would be a good thing?”
Another negligent lift of Gramlithyn’s shoulders had Pyxlevir’s mouth twisting in irritation.
“Colby and I started talking about trips we’d like to take one day.
We both agreed that a road trip and camping at different spots would be cool.
It sort of spiraled from there. You and Crispin weren’t around, and we ran with the idea.
We looked through some stuff online and put together a rough list of places we want to go because I know you.
I figured you’d start by asking me about the itinerary or whatever. ”
“You thought I would be on board despite the fact that I’ve told you in the past when you’ve suggested we go camping that I have zero interest in doing that?
The last time I camped I was a kid, and I wasn’t roughing it at D’Vaire.
What about Kalliope? She’s an old lady and deserves better than spending three months traipsing around campgrounds. I want her as comfortable as possible.”
Kalliope was far too close to the end of her life for Pyxlevir’s liking, but he couldn’t fight the inevitable no matter how hard he tried. Someday he’d have to say goodbye. Not right this minute though, so he had to remain focused on the fool with the grand plans he’d waited to share.
Gramlithyn bowed his head and shuffled his sandaled feet. “Your uncles and parents could take care of her if you didn’t want to bring her. But we’re growing up. Maybe we’re past the point where we do everything together.”
Shocked and hurt, Pyxlevir crossed his arms and refused to let any tears fall in front of his best friend. “I guess I had a different vision of our lives. I didn’t see things changing. Even after we met our mates, I figured we’d stay close.”
Gramlithyn cleared his throat but continued to stare at the floor, blocking Pyxlevir from reading anything on his face.
“Finding your mate changes everything. You know that. You’ve heard everyone around us say that since we were kids. Mates come first, and—”
“Gramlithyn, I know that. I’m saying that I want a mate who understands that you’re my best friend.
I’m happy to explain that I want you in my life to the man or woman Fate gives me.
I’d love to find them soon. I’ve always envied Drystan and Conley.
They met in their late teens. I know they were separated for centuries, but they also have hundreds of years of memories as a couple.
I hope I’m spared the pain of losing my other half, but if Fate is listening, I’m ready whenever you find him or her, so please send them my way. ”
Reverent Knights Drystan and Conley Gylde-Kempe were part of the ever-growing D’Vaire clan and had met at a dragon fair a lifetime ago.
Drystan was seventeen and Conley just a hair older at nineteen.
They’d shared several centuries and eventually led the dragons as Emperors.
Then, on one horrible night, they were murdered.
Now resurrected as fallen knights, they served the Council proudly as leaders of the Order of the Fallen Knights.
They were incredible men and, like most of the couples Pyxlevir called family, their bond was gorgeous and impossible to miss.
It was exactly what Pyxlevir wanted in his life, and the sooner the better.
It was greedy to ask Fate to be matched before he’d reached his eighteenth birthday, but Pyxlevir couldn’t help himself.
“I’m heading home so I don’t miss dinner,” Gramlithyn said as he turned and walked toward the front door of Uncle Timotheus’s mansion.
“Text or call me if you change your mind about going. Colby and I are already planning to work on our trip plans later tonight; we want to get everything finalized soon.”
“I’m not going to change my mind,” Pyxlevir replied, keeping his voice level. “Tell your parents I said hi.”
Gramlithyn gave him a jaunty wave and left the house. Pyxlevir stood alone and wondered what the hell was happening and why fear was growing in his belly. As he closed his eyes, an inner voice insisted that nothing between him and Gramlithyn would ever be the same.
But that dumb part of him was wrong.
Despite the camping trip, Pyxlevir would remain best friends with Gramlithyn. Their bond was so tight that Pyxlevir mused that perhaps Fate herself had brought such a wonderful person into Pyxlevir’s life.