Page 18 of Mystique of the Fallen
The clash of metal no longer filled the air as the men surrounding Roman were suddenly more invested in their conversation than training.
“Even a human must know the difference between cheesecake and actual brains,” Albrecht stated.
“Relax, guys, I hardly know Grant. At this point, I have no clue if he’ll be at the party,” Roman said, re-holstering his weapons. Maybe he needed to talk as much as he needed to vent his frustration with some physical activity.
“Yeah, it’s barely spring,” remarked Cassius’s other half, Skeleton-mate Teverild Daray, as he adjusted his baseball cap. It was barely holding back a plethora of blond hairs that were trying to escape his long braid. “I doubt Roman is worried about parties in October.”
“Right now, I just want to have another conversation with the man,” Roman replied.
“Hey, the whole mate thing freaked me out, and I had more than a millennium of hearing about how Fate pairs our souls,” Teverild said, reaching up and letting his fingers drift across Cassius’s lips. “I had the most tempting man on the planet eager to make a life with me, and it took me a while to get my shit together. Give the man a little opportunity to absorb the stuff he’s reading.”
“I agree,” Alaric added. “But we cannot discount Roman’s feelings either. I was sorry to learn Grant has a boyfriend. It cannot be easy for you to know that he has feelings for someone else.”
“Honestly? It sucks,” Roman said, his lip curling in disgust at the thought. There were so many obstacles standing between him and Grant, but the one he was most ill-prepared to deal with was Grant’s heart belonging to another. “It’s little consolation to know that they can’t be together physically. Feelings don’t have off switches. Meeting me didn’t suddenly change everything in Grant’s life.”
“I’m really glad his dick doesn’t work except with his mate’s,” Baxter commented.
Benton glared at his other half. “Missing the point as usual, Bax.”
“No, I understand that’s not the most important thing,” Baxter responded. “But I can’t fix this for Roman. I wish I could.”
“Thanks, guys, it helps to know I have a great big family of people I can turn to,” Roman said.
“I hope you remember that and don’t internalize everything,” Arvandus remarked. “Whenever you have a case that troubles you, the first thing you do is crawl into a corner and grumble. You pick apart each thread…every damn tiny detail. The last thing you do is pull in resources to help you when you can’t figure something out.”
Roman’s eyes narrowed at his best friend. “It’s annoying to have people that know you too well.”
“Communication is vital in every situation,” Alaric stated firmly, his glowing green gaze resolute.
“I’m not sure your relationship is the best example of that,” Baxter replied.
Alaric lifted a dark brow. “Excuse me?”
“Look at your mate,” Baxter said, pointing to the corner of the gym where the Arch Lich was sitting on a fat pillow. Someone else had undoubtedly brought it for the imp-necromancer hybrid who never thought of his own comfort. Chander’s pewter gaze was focused on the thick book resting on his lap, and he was ignoring everyone. “He’s oblivious to the world.”
“Your point?” Alaric asked.
“If my memory is correct, I recall the two of you broke up because you had communication issues,” Baxter said. “If Chand had a conversation with you instead of jumping to conclusions, you wouldn’t have spent months apart.”
The room went deadly silent, and an unwelcome chill raced down Roman’s spine as Chander’s head popped up.
Benton wrapped his arms around Baxter and tugged him close.
“Are you out of your mind?” Benton hissed. “Why did you bring that up?”
Chander closed his book with a heavy thud and planted his sneakers on the wooden floor. There was no expression on his face as he rose to his feet. Without a word, he marched up to the sentinel who’d been guarding him since he was a teenager and crossed his arms.
“Why are you bringing up ancient history?” Chander asked calmly.
“I’m trying to help Roman out,” Baxter insisted weakly.
“Do it without reminding Alaric of a time best forgotten,” Chander said. “You don’t have to hurt my mate to make your point.”
“Chand, I’m fine,” Alaric commented softly.
“I made mistakes. That’s no secret,” Chander replied, turning to face Roman. “It’s inevitable. There is nothing more important than a matebond. You’ve been told that since the day you were resurrected. But as you now know, that statement doesn’t become real until you meet your other half. The road may be rocky. Mine was. But I would trade none of it for what I have today. Keep that in mind, Roman. Sometimes it’s going to hurt. It does now. No one is perfect. Be there for Grant. But take of yourself too. Sweat it out in this gym. Talk to your family. And wait for him. He’s your other half. It’ll be worth it in the end.”
Roman held out his arms, and Chander walked into them. “Thanks, I needed to hear that.”
