Page 77 of D'Vaire or Nothing
“Okay, but I was mean to you, and I don’t like that.”
Heathcliff rolled his eyes dramatically. “You weren’t mean to me. Are you moving in or not?”
Closing his eyes to fully absorb the massive changes happening in his life at a record pace, Brinley smiled. Things were moving fast, but he had never felt more centered. Fate had brought him Heathcliff, and that was a treasure Brinley was prepared to fully embrace.
“Yes, I’m moving into this fabulous room so I can be with you. Do you pay rent or anything? Can I help with expenses?”
“Brinley, our High Kings provide everything. They even put an obnoxious amount of money in my bank account. Thankfully, my salary is generous, so I can use my money on the rare occasions when I shop. You’ve mentioned school. What’s wrong with starting with some classes? The High Arcanists here at D’Vaire can help you with testing and choosing the correct courses.”
Brinley bit his lip and rested his forehead on Heathcliff’s sturdy shoulder. “School is a dream for me. But I don’t know what I want to study. Plus, I’ve had to keep a roof over my head, and I thought it’d be nice to save enough to go to school without having to work. But honestly, maybe I was procrastinating because I don’t have a plan for my life.”
“You’re twenty years old; you don’t need one,” Heathcliff stated pragmatically. “There are basic courses everyone needs. Start with those and explore your options. Give yourself the chance to figure out what suits you. Dream a little, Brinley. This is a sanctuary full of people that will support you and aid you however we can. And you have me now. I’ll help you however the fuck I can.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“Nothing, really. Except you only have to work at a job if you love it. You don’t have to worry about expenses. I have more money than I could spend in my immortal lifetime, and as a resident of D’Vaire, the High Kings will add an equally obnoxious amount in your account.”
“I’m not here because I want their money.”
Raising a dark eyebrow, Heathcliff pressed their mouths together in a lingering kiss. “Good luck convincing them to keep their money to themselves. Those kinds of complaints fall on deaf ears around here. They wouldn’t even let me apply for sanctuary somewhere else. I was informed that they were keeping me, and that was it. Not that I have any issue with that. This is my home. I didn’t know I was searching for a place like D’Vaire, but it’s where I belong.”
“I want to belong here too,” Brinley whispered as he clung to Heathcliff.
“You do belong here at my side. My phoenix and I both want to share everything with you. We’ve moved fast, but I’m notscared of a future with you. I never expected to be overwhelmed with emotion, but Fate knows what she’s doing.”
“She really does. Heath?”
“Yeah?”
“I need you to know that my move to D’Vaire is about you. Yes, I adore this place. Your family is awesome, and I want to be friends with everybody. But I’m here because you’re the other half of my soul. My fire burns a little brighter. Despite the danger of that, I’ve never felt more in control of my element. You give me that. You and your fiery beast. Flame to flame. We’re meant to be. I guess what I’m saying is I really like you. Adore you. I want an eternity with you.”
“I—”
Brinley laid his fingers over Heathcliff’s mouth. Fear made his arm tremble, but Brinley pushed it away. It wasn’t welcome. His heart was already won by the Brynewielm Duke, and he refused to be scared of his feelings or the speed at which they were building the foundation of their relationship.
“I hate to interrupt to you, and I’m sorry, but I need to be fully honest with you. That’s what we like, you and me. We don’t play games, and we say what we think or feel. So here it is, Heathcliff. I fucking love you. Both sides of you. Your gorgeous elven self with this luscious purple skin and that shrieking fiery beast I really need to ride again soon.”
Heathcliff narrowed his eyes and pulled Brinley’s hand from his face. “You could’ve let me say it first.”
“You still haven’t said it,” Brinley replied with a laugh.
“I love you too. But the words aren’t enough. I want promises. Most of all, my beast and I want to bite you. Will you have a mating ceremony here in the memorial garden with me?”
Brinley wept again, but this time it was pure joy. He was so overcome with happiness he needed a moment to findwords. But he refused to keep Heathcliff waiting, so he nodded vigorously and hugged him tightly.
“We’ll have to figure out when it’ll work for everyone,” Heathcliff murmured. “I want the entire extended family here to celebrate with us. They moved everything to attend the ceremony this week, so I don’t want to inconvenience them again. They are usually free on the weekends, but I know that’s when you make the most money at the bar. Hopefully you can get a Saturday off at some point. Speaking of which, I don’t want to rush you out of here, but you’re going to be late if you don’t head home to get changed into your uniform soon.”
“I don’t want to keep you or your phoenix waiting,” Brinley whispered as he clung to his other half. It was just a job, and Brinley wanted to stop keeping his life in a holding pattern. Without expenses, he’d run out of excuses. He needed to figure out his path, and he desperately wanted to study tons of subjects. Books and magic were a close second to the beautiful caring man in his arms. “I’m going to quit. They’ll get my two-week notice tonight. We can be mated after that, okay? You come first, and I need you to understand that.”
“Only quit if that’s what you want.”
“I want to go to school.”
“Good, you’re intelligent and this world could use more sorcerers with a brain.”
Brinley laughed. “Agreed.”
“But you really need to get your ass out of here.”
