Chapter 30
The atmosphere at D’Vaire was celebratory, but Gramlithyn’s unease remained. Neither he nor his zebra could fully relax despite the presence of their remarkable mate at Gramlithyn’s side. A dark cloud would continue to follow him until he faced his past.
“Pyx,” Gramlithyn said. “I need to talk to my parents.”
“I know, do you want me to come with you?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be okay.”
Pyxlevir grinned. “Of course you will. Kiss first.”
Gramlithyn brushed their lips together and caressed the soft skin of his pretty blue cheek. “I’ll be back soon. Save me some champagne.”
“You can have as much as you want. I wish someone would let me have a freaking beer,” Pyxlevir muttered.
Delighted with Fate’s choice for him, Gramlithyn dropped another quick peck on the top of his braided hair, then headed out of the two-story great room and ventured outside.
His parents were seated on the deck with Pyxlevir’s closest relatives.
Gramlithyn wondered if they were curious why they weren’t planning a matebond ceremony yet, but somehow no one had mentioned it.
That would be soon, but Pyxlevir deserved to have everyone ecstatic about their big day.
“Mom. Dad. Do you have a minute?” Gramlithyn asked as soon as his parents spotted him hovering near the back door.
“Of course,” his mother responded instantly and rose. At her side, his father did the same.
“The gazebo is a nice quiet spot if you need one,” Evlithar volunteered.
“Thanks, that’s a great idea,” Gramlithyn replied.
He wove his way through the occupied seats and followed his parents off the deck.
It was a short walk to the gazebo, built decades ago to honor the Grand Warlock after an event left those closest to him believing he was dead.
A plaque bearing the word Dra’Kaedan hung in the entrance.
Gramlithyn waited for his parents to choose a spot to sit before he rested his bum on one of the thick navy cushions.
“Sorry for interrupting your weekend,” Gramlithyn said, shoving his hands under his thighs as he fought to remain calm and keep his thoughts organized. Like Gramlithyn, his zebra was antsy but not nearly terrified as they’d been a few days prior when announcing their matebond.
“You aren’t interrupting anything,” his mother responded. “D’Vaire weekends are about family, and we cherish being with you.”
Gramlithyn nodded dumbly and stared at his worn boots because he lacked the bravery to look into their eyes.
“Look, I’m sorry. You raised me to believe in Fate, to act with honor, and to be honest. At the first test of adulthood, I failed in every respect.
I’ve lied and I’ve hurt people. The last thing you need to hear is a bunch of excuses, and there is really nothing to justify my choices.
All I can do now is apologize and beg for forgiveness. ”
“Let’s start at the beginning,” his father insisted. “Your mother and I have had some time to put together a few things in the past couple of days. I’m going to assume this is related to your matebond and to Pyxlevir, but I’m not clear why you’re apologizing.”
Lifting his gaze, Gramlithyn’s brows furrowed.
“At eighteen, I discovered Pyx was my mate. I didn’t tell anyone, not even him.
On his birthday, I mistook his shock for rejection because I was already convinced he’d hate the thought of being with me.
I couldn’t handle it, so I ran away. If it wasn’t for Drystan and Conley, I’d probably still be as far from this backyard as possible.
I betrayed Fate. The last thing I wanted to do was be an elf, so I cut off my hair and ditched traditional clothes.
It’d started with my overwhelming feelings for Pyx, but my rebellion hurt you too. ”
“Do you want to know what hurts me?” his mother asked.
“That you couldn’t come to me when Fate matched you.
I would’ve loved to help you through what must’ve been a terribly difficult period of your life.
Something I did or said convinced you I wouldn’t understand or that, I don’t know…
that I somehow would’ve offered you anything but comfort. ”
“That’s not it,” Gramlithyn assured her.
“Both of you gave me unconditional love. You taught me right from wrong. I learned the importance of tradition and how the son of an elven Chieftain should act. If I told you about Pyx, I knew what would happen. You’d expect me to do my duty.
To bind my soul to Pyx. I couldn’t. Not while I believed he’d hate that.
I would rather be alone than be with Pyx without a loving relationship.
Elves are expected to bind their souls in three days, max.
That’s not enough time to build anything.
So, I took off. I expected Pyx to tell everyone, and I’d wake sometimes in a cold sweat wondering if someone in this giant family would be waiting for me outside my shitty motel room ready to drag me home to do my duty.
But he, ironically, didn’t want me without love either. Go figure. I left for nothing.”
Laconifel propped his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands. Lowering his head onto his interlaced fingers, Gramlithyn’s father sighed heavily.
“Two teenagers whose parents were selected by Fate to rule their respective elven tribes,” his father said. “It makes sense. You were best friends, but that’s not the same as romantic love. You two must’ve felt trapped, so you kept your silence.”
Lifting a trembling hand to her mouth, his mother ignored the tear that slipped down her cheek.
“My gut instinct is to assure you I would’ve been there for you no matter what.
But…shit. I was the worst about traditions and ensuring that, as a hybrid, you did nothing to have your father’s people judge you harshly. ”
Laconifel put an arm around his other half and pulled her close.
“Because they were awful when we met. They didn’t know how to handle a shifter joining the tribe, but they learned quickly that you were to be accepted unconditionally.
Did you hate us for making you feel as if your only choice was to leave behind everything you knew? ”
“Of course not,” Gramlithyn said. “It was my choice to go. I take full responsibility for my actions. The last thing I want is for you is to blame yourselves. You weren’t the ones who created these unrealistic traditions.”
“No, but we expected you to follow them without exception,” his mother commented.
“Oh, I’ve always known how much you adore Pyx.
I can still remember the day you two met.
Right from the start, he was everything in your eyes.
Which, of course, makes sense now. You were mates.
I get it, dear, I do. You wanted his heart.
I hate that something so pure and beautiful had a cost.”
Gramlithyn was losing his own battle to hold it together, but he wanted things resolved. A good cry could wait.
“All I wanted to do was explain and apologize,” Gramlithyn said. “I hope that we can start fresh at some point.”
“That point is now, Gramlithyn,” his father insisted.
“Tell us what you need from us so we can overcome this awkwardness and uncertainty between us. We want to be a part of this beautiful stage of your life. To cheer the loudest for you on the day you and Pyxlevir are ready to unite your souls fully.”
“Forgive me,” Gramlithyn responded with a shrug. “That’s all I need. To know that despite the decisions I’ve made, you haven’t lost faith in me.”
His mother jumped up and sat next to him. She rubbed his back. Leaning into her, Gramlithyn closed his eyes as she kissed his cheek. The solid weight of his father settled on his other side, and he was cocooned between his parents. Both elf and zebra indulged in their comfort.
“We have nothing to forgive you for, Gramlithyn,” his mother insisted.
“Don’t you dare apologize to us again. We left you no room to consider options.
It was headlong rush into a matebond you couldn’t live with, or flee.
You sacrificed your plans and left behind everything, including the luxury of money to aid you in finding your feet or putting a roof above your head.
I wish I could’ve spared you that somehow.
But I’m a woman in love with her mate, and I know how smitten you were with Pyx.
If any shred of you believed he was sad, you’d cheerfully jump into a volcano for him.
What soothes me most right now is that you and Pyx are finally together.
Happily, if your kisses, grins, and hugs are anything to go by. ”
“You’ve barely been a foot apart this weekend,” his father added. “It’s lovely and everything I’ve wanted for you since you were born. Of course, I imagined that I’d have you and your mate under my roof for eternity. But I know you and those centaurs. We’re going to lose you to Timotheus’s house.”
“Sorry,” Gramlithyn said.
“Stop apologizing,” his mother ordered. “They’re neighbors.
Family. Expect us over often. But you’re going to move out for real.
I don’t want to spend another week dusting Erironarra.
She deserves better than sitting on your bed because you’re pissed that elves have had matebond ceremonies in three days for fifteen thousand years and you didn’t want to be one of them. ”
Gramlithyn chuckled. “Is it weird that I’ve missed a doll?”
“No, you two had many happy memories together,” his mother replied. “Most of them tied to Pyxlevir and Leydira.”
“Don’t forget Centy, Alek, Griffie, and Raf,” his father added.
“Pyx is still making memories with his doll and stuffed animals,” Gramlithyn confided.
“They’re living in the apartment with us.
Mom. Dad. I’m sorry I didn’t come to you sooner.
I was lost. Convincing myself that Pyx wanted anyone else on this planet but me as his mate broke me into tiny, almost unrecognizable pieces.
Instead of having hopes and dreams, I lived in the moment.
I thought of myself and survival. Nothing else. ”
“The only reason I wish you’d come to us sooner is so that we could’ve somehow helped you cope,” his father said. “Now, listen to your mother and quit with the apologies. We’re starting fresh. A clean slate. One where you know that no tradition or cultural norm is more important to us than you.”
Gramlithyn and his zebra breathed a sigh of relief and reveled in their acceptance. “I hope my appearance hasn’t caused too much of a stir because I don’t want to go back to elven attire or grow my hair out again. I like this version of me.”
“As long as you’re comfortable in your own skin, I don’t care what you wear,” his father assured him.
“I like the new look,” his mother added. “Pyx is lucky to have such a handsome mate.”
“Yeah, but I get to brag that the most beautiful elf ever loves me,” Gramlithyn boasted.
“Pyx is stunning, but so are you,” Semira insisted.
Gramlithyn turned to hug her, then his father. “You have to say that—you’re my mom.”
“We’re not going to argue, Gramlithyn,” his mother said.
“This weekend is about celebrating your matebond. Fate has waited patiently for six years for us to crack open champagne and toast to binding two souls matched perfectly. Thanks for allowing us to share these special moments in your life; we look forward to adding many more memories with you and Pyx. It may be hard to believe now, but your affection for each other will continue to grow, and I can’t wait to watch the way you nurture your bond. ”
“My zebra and I are still shocked that we have eternity with him,” Gramlithyn confided.
“Don’t feel rushed now that you’ve announced your matebond,” his father stated firmly.
“Your timetable needs to work for you and Pyx. Your mother and I will support you no matter what. I know Kalthekor and Aris feel the same way. Like us, they’re incredibly pleased to know you and Pyx belong together. ”
“Pyx and I are lucky to have so many caring people in our lives. Thanks for being understanding and not dragging me home by a pointy ear,” Gramlithyn said. “I wish I hadn’t hurt you both in the process of dealing with my own shit. You deserved better.”
“We missed you, but you’re an adult, and we respect that,” Laconifel responded. “It was tempting to ask a family sentinel or fallen knight to track you. We discussed it. However, we knew that wasn’t fair. Hopefully, when you travel again, we don’t go six years without seeing you.”
“I’m done traveling without my family,” Gramlithyn replied. “No more running away. I don’t want to miss another holiday or hurt you again if I can help it.”
“Okay, let’s dry our tears. Share some hugs. Then get you back to Pyx. You have time to make up with him too. We’ll fix us. I feel like we already have,” his mother insisted.
Gramlithyn stood so he could fully embrace his parents and inwardly sighed with relief that he’d finally patched up the holes in his relationships. It was the first step in the bright future he wanted to give himself and Pyxlevir.