Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
But Xavier just smiled. “Much.”
He wasn’t going to tell him, and the reason why still escaped Bain. He had realized Xavier was from Basque Country, and he’d already looked it up to find out that it was one of Europe’s oldest cultures. That Caesar had made references to their customs back in Roman times. There was no way Xavier could be that old. How had he not tried to end his life before now? Especially after losing an actual soulmate? “When we met, I must have seemed like a baby to you,” he murmured.
“Most of our kind, preternaturals, live hard lives. Mature early. So no, not a baby. Just young. And at that particular time, you seemed lonely and ready to give up. I’ve been there myself many a time and had a way to bring some life back into your world. But you also did the same for me. I was and have always been happy to know you, Bain.”
Bain studied his friend for several moments before leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “What was Aizo like?”
Xavier closed his eyes briefly and when they opened, pain showed in their dark depths. To have carried that kind of heartbreak for so long had to be devastating. Bain rubbed his hand over his own chest as if he could soothe his heart into not aching for his friend.
“Aizo was a warrior. Strong, capable. But he could also be reckless and believed himself invincible.”
“Human?”
“Yes. I didn’t know of the spell that could bind our souls then. But even if I had, he was burned in a fire. He raced into a burning fortress to try and rescue the people trapped inside.” Xavier took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I hadn’t known he’d gone back inside at the time or I would have gone after him. I was battling on the other side of that lord’s lands. We usually didn’t separate in those country feuds, fought together side by side. But the one time we did, I lost him.”
“I’m so sorry, Xavier. So damn sorry. Those words just aren’t enough. I can’t even imagine what that had to have been like. Are you sure there isn’t another mate out there for you?”
“I want no other mate. I will never…risk that again. Something deep inside me broke with his death, and I cannot let myself feel that way about anyone or anything again. The only love I know now is for my friends, and it wasn’t until I stumbled upon a sad, drunk basilisk that I gave myself permission to feel anything again.”
“To be alone that long—” Bain swallowed a heavy lump in his throat. “I wouldn’t have made it. You’re a strong man, Xavier. I’ve always known that, but I had no idea of the depth of that strength.”
“Oh, you would. You don’t know your own strength.” Xavier walked to the couch and sat next to Bain, twisting to face him. “I know you like sleeping with lots of humans and preternaturals alike—know a little too much about that.” A rare grin twisted his mouth along with an even rarer wink. “But the love you feel for a soulmate makes the passion more than you can possibly imagine. It transcends the flesh. I’ve always wanted this for you, and for many years, I’ve known you will find it. I saw Clive for you more than forty-five years ago. I can’t actually remember the exact date, but my visions had just at that time grown more consistent.”
“He hadn’t even been born yet.” Clive was only thirty-one.
“I know. But I knew he would come to exist and that he was a part of your destiny.”
“Did you know he’d be here? In Seattle?”
“I did.”
Something unbelievable occurred to Bain then. “Is that why you started the company here?”
“It is.”
He’d known Xavier cared for him but to know just how much touched him deeply. “I don’t know what to say. This is all so overwhelming. Not only do I now know you’re older than I ever thought, but you foresaw my own future while we were traveling together. Your cryptic bullshit has always driven me nuts, and now this?”
“You weren’t ready to know,” Xavier repeated. “Trust me on this.”
“You’re always telling me to trust you,” Bain groused.
Xavier arched one black eyebrow. “And have I ever been wrong?”
“Arrogant shit. No, you haven’t.” Bain leaned back, exhausted from all these revelations. He nestled his head on the back of the couch, though there was little softness to be found there. “You need a better fucking couch in here.”
“I like its clean lines. Plus, a softer sitting area would encourage clients to stay too long.”
Bain snorted. “Wouldn’t want that,” he muttered. He closed his eyes and an image of Clive puttering around in his PJs filled his head, followed by that sleepy, tender smile Clive had given him when peeking over the side of his bed.