Tag: lgbtq+

Dante loved everything about the farmhouse in the middle of an apple orchard.

From the kitchen filled with herbs growing in little pots on the window seal, the antique cooking range and the oven spelled into baking potatoes in the afternoon like clockwork.

“What happens if I put in something else to bake?” Dante asked the first day when Tani pulled out a tray of four large baked potatoes. “Will it let me?”

“It will,” Tani said. “This is Cale’s sense of humor. He thinks I will soon have potatoes growing in my stomach. I figure I have loved eating them so long, it is unlikely his thoughts will come to be.”

“You and Cale sound close,” Dante said, as he sat at the kitchen table. He watched Tani pull out sour cream from the fridge.

Tani found a bunch of chives from a vegetable holder on the counter and washed them. He chopped them on a board, then opened the sour cream container and got to work cutting open the baked potatoes. He took his time responding to Dante’s comment. Dante waited with patience.

“Cale is family,” Tani said, as he found a tablespoon. He scooped sour cream and placed it on the top of the baked potato. Two scoops for each potato, then he sprinkled chopped chives on he sour cream.

“He was assigned to watch over me when I was sentenced to stay in the mortal realm,” Tani said. “Through the centuries, we have come to understand each other better. Cale’s the master of calamities and he has ended up being the one to understand mine best. He helped me through the worst of it.”

Dante absorbed Tani’s answer with a nod. His heart heavy at the thought of the pain Tani must have lived through to find comfort in the god of calamities.

“Don’t think about it,” Tani said, bringing a plate with two baked potatoes and placing it on the table before him. “Cale is a friend. Don’t over think it.”

Dante nodded, and accepted the spoon Tani handed him. He used the spoon to mix the sour cream and the chives with the soft insides of the potato. He took a bite of the result and smiled at Tani.

“It’s delicious.”

Tani smiled, sliding soft fingers over Dante’s cheek. He went to the counter and returned with two glasses of orange juice, and his own plate. He pushed the salt and black pepper shakers closer to Dante.

“What would you like to bake in the magic oven?” Tani asked, with a wink.

“Chicken,” Dante said.

“Mm,” Tani nodded taking a bite of his own baked potato. He let out a soft moan of appreciation at the taste and Dante placed his spoon down to stare.

The joy on Tani’s face at the taste of baked potatoes was hard to ignore. He filed the look away and reminded himself to discover new baked potato recipes for Tani to try.

“We’ll have to visit my nosy neighbor for chickens,” Tani said. “This farmhouse has none. It would be cruel to let life grow here without a tender

“Okay,” Dante said, picking up his spoon. “So, does this count as our second date?”

Tani glanced at him then and chuckled.

“When was the first?” Tani asked.

“This morning when you met my parents,” Dante said, making Tani laugh. The sound filling Dante up with joy. “We can say the elephants in the forest in the middle of a jungle were the highlight of that date. This must be the second one.”

“You’re impossible,” Tani said, continuing his meal.

After lunch, Tani took him on a walk around the vast farm, to see the apple trees. They were blooming, ready to fruit soon.

“Why apples?” Dante asked, when the sun started sliding down in the horizon. They walked back to the farmhouse at a slow pace. They held hands, and Dante felt like he was living a teenage dream he had forgotten. It felt exhilarating.

“Will you laugh at me if I tell you why?” Tani asked, stealing a glance at him.

“No,” Dante said with a small smile, as they walked along the grassy path between rows of apple trees.

Tani nodded.

“The first gift I ever received from a mortal was a bunch of apples in a bag,” Tani said. “They were delicious, and I became partial to the taste.”

Dante’s eyes widened, remembering the bag of apples the original Durante brought to a wild forest for Tani. The start of a fate that tied them together for a lifetime.

Dante tightened his hold on Tani’s hand and stopped, making Tani turn to look at him.

“Is that why you’ve grown an orchard full?” Dante asked.

“Perhaps,” Tani said, with a shrug. “It started out that way. I transplanted the original apple tree from Durante’s old farm. Then, in time, I grew more, collected others. Now…”

Tani looked at the rows of apple trees around them.

“Maybe I always liked apples. In any case, they have become my sanctuary,” Tani said, then resumed their walk back to the farmhouse. “It’s been too long. It’s hard to pull it apart to figure out the reason.”

Dante held his comment on the matter. His anger at Durante growing again. Tani’s devotion was so clearly painted in the apple orchard. How did that fool miss it? Or had Durante simply chosen to ignore it?

Breathing out the weight of their past, he followed Tani to the farmhouse in silence. Listening to Tani talk about their nosy neighbor who might visit them if she noticed smoke coming from the fireplace the next day.

Falling into a domestic routine with Tani felt amazing. They took turns showering in the well-stocked bathroom tucked in the corridor. Tani summoned Dante’s clothing from Artri House. They both dressed down in sweats and t-shirts.

Later, they ate sandwiches for dinner.

Tani was careful to keep their conversation away from their heavy past. Pulling Dante into discussions about the archeological digs he had participated in around Europe. They ended up in the living room designed for comfort after a hard day’s work. Tani lay on the comfortable couch with his head resting on Dante’s lap as they talked. They watched the fire crackle away in the fireplace in the corner.

“Do you miss spending time with April and Zach?” Tani asked at some point, late in the night.

Dante combed his fingers through Tani’s hair. His fingers occasionally playing with the gold leafs on Tani’s right ear.

“I do but my presence in their lives will never be prominent,” Dante said with a soft sigh. “There was a time Viola would get very angry when I told her that. She thought I had no love for our children, for her.”

“And?” Tani asked, shifting on Dante’s lap so that he could look at him.

“I do love my children,” Dante said, holding Tani’s gaze. “Because I do, I feel the best place for them to be is with Viola. My fire magic, my family legacy is too heavy for them to carry. It would only place them in harms way if they stayed with me.”

“What if they had the legacy in their blood?” Tani asked.

“Then I would bring them to Artri House without hesitation and teach them everything I know,” Dante said. “As my mother taught me. As Grandmaster Landi taught me.”

Tani studied him for a moment.

“None of them have the legacy though. They might never understand why you left them. Will you be sad if they never understand your way of thinking?” Tani asked.

“Perhaps,” Dante said, his gaze shifting to the bright fireplace. “It is the price I have to pay as a warlock father to two pure mortals. I do hope, when they are older, we can meet and talk. I do want to see them achieve their dreams. I’ll always support them, if they let me.”

“You’re a good man, Dante,” Tani murmured.

“You’d be the first partner I’ve ever had to say so,” Dante said, thinking of Viola and the way she got angry with him.

“I will remind you often,” Tani said, then got up and held out his hand to Dante. “We should sleep. I think we should prune the apple trees while we’re here. Make sure my nosy neighbor gets a good harvest.”

Dante took Tani’s hand, and stood up.

“Turn off the fire,” Tani murmured.

Dante waved his hand at the fireplace, using his magic to snuff out the flames until the embers cooled. Then Tani led the way to the master bedroom with its large bed made of oak. They slid onto the comfortable mattress. The white sheets felt so soft Dante wished he could feel them on his skin.

He imagined making love to Tani on the comfortable bed, even anticipated it. Then, once they were in bed, Tani gave him a chaste kiss, turned of the lights and promptly fell asleep.

And so, a seven-day stay at the farmhouse started.

Each day was filled with a lesson on patience and restraint. Dante was sure Tani was testing him. They spent their days in the orchard, pruning apple trees.

Mornings at breakfast were light, their fridge refilled by the clever magic created by the god of calamity. Dante listened to endless praises for Cale from Tani. After breakfast, they started work. He loved watching Tani walk the grand apple orchard with a set of shears pruning apple trees. There was a love for the work in every action Tani did.

In between the work, there were fond kisses and affectionate hugs, but their nights were filled with Tani going to sleep the moment they slid between the comfortable sheets. It was as though he had forgotten their promise to make love on their third date. Dante started a very regular sighing routine.

Two days into their stay, Dante finally met the nosy neighbor.

She was a Greek woman in her late twenties. She wore her blonde hair long, was dressed in a white cotton skirt and a blue blouse, her feet in flat sandals. The Greek woman brought two chickens for their pantry and a basket filled with an assortment of vegetables from her garden. She arrived right as they returned to the house for lunch.

“Fox Lord, you should call to let your neighbor know you’ve returned to the farmhouse,” she complained the moment she saw Tani. “How long has it been since you dared to let your shadow darken our region?”

“I don’t remember,” Tani said, opening the front door.

Dante took the basket of vegetables from the woman and smiled in greeting as he hugged the basket.

“I’m Selene,” she said in greeting. “Can’t wait for him to introduce you to me. He thinks I’m a nuisance. I’m glad he is staying with someone this time. I worry he might starve to death if he stays here alone.”

“I’m Dante.”

“I know,” Selene said with a small smile. “The last one of you.”

“You know?” Dante asked, surprised as he looked at Tani.

“Hard not to when Cale is his warden,” Selene said. “I thought the little lordling had jumped into the dark side the first time I saw the god of calamities aura in our region. I came to banish them both, only to discover Ekho royalty had come to search for solace in our quiet isle.”

“You talk too much,” Tani said.

“You barely talk, Fox Lord,” Selene said leading the way into the farmhouse. She headed straight to the kitchen. “Come on Dante, I bet you want to eat more than baked potatoes. I’ll teach you a special trick about the magical oven in the kitchen. Cale has a strange sense of humor. If you put vegetables into the oven, they cook in record time. One day I tried chicken and I swear to the fates that it makes the most delicious grilled chicken in the world. Otherwise, baked potatoes remain a boring staple.”

“I like your neighbor, Tani,” Dante said, placing the basket of vegetables he held on the kitchen table.

“Fox Lord thinks I’m nosy,” Selene said, as she pulled out a flat baking pan from a cupboard and took it to the sink. “Let’s make chicken, with grilled cauliflower and some wild rice. Dante, the rice bin in the pantry is refilled by Cale’s magic.”

“Hm,” Dante winked at Tani who had sat down at the kitchen table with his arms folded against his chest. “I should explore this kitchen more.”

“It will surprise you,” Selene said, coming to open her basket to find two heads of cauliflower. “In any case, I’m glad to see you here, Fox Lord. I worried that this would be the last—”

“I’m already here,” Tani cut off Selene. “Stop talking so much. Why don’t you focus on making the chicken?”

Tani stood up and took the cauliflower heads from her.

“I’ll wash these for you,” Tani said.

Dante frowned at how fast Tani interrupted Selene but did not pause to think deeper about the reason. He went to the pantry and found the rice bin filled with wild rice. Taking the scoop inside the bin, he measured a cup and returned to the kitchen to find Tani glaring at Selene.

Tani sighed when he saw Dante and turned on the tap at the sink.

“What now?” Dante asked, moving to join Tani at the sink so that they could wash the cauliflower and the rice. “Why does Selene annoy you so much?”

“He can’t stand my sunny face,” Selene said, as she found a pan for the chicken.

“You’re too nosy for your own good,” Tani grumbled.

Dante kissed Tani’s right cheek, amused by Tani’s attitude toward Selene.

“I like your annoyed face,” Dante said when Tani glanced at him.

“I’m not annoyed.”

“Yes, you are,” Dante said, leaning on the counter so that he could study Tani’s expressions.

Dante stole a glance at Selene who was busy arranging the chicken pieces she brought on the baking pan. She salted and seasoned them with the attention of a seasoned cook. So, Dante leaned in and whispered into Tani’s ear.

“She seems worried about you, you know,” Dante said. “I think she’s no different from Cale who spelled the house.”

“Mm,” Tani said, biting his bottom lip as he washed the cauliflower and broke it into pieces.

Dante placed a colander in the sink for the cauliflower pieces.

“She’s the reason you want to prune the apple trees, right?” Dante asked, studying Tani’s face.

Tani met his inquiring gaze and nodded.

“She’s another Hera,” Dante said with a quick grin.

“Not at all,” Tani said, shaking his head. He glanced at Selene and then scowled at the cauliflower. “Hera is a child I’ve raised. That one is Ekho.”

“What?” Dante glanced at Selene to find her watching them.

Selene grinned wide.

“You heard everything I just said,” Dante said, knowing their hearing was sensitive.

“Yes, handsome Dante. Have I told you that I think you’re the best version? I especially appreciate the fire brewing inside you for the Fox Lord. It’s spectacular to watch,” Selene said.

Dante bit back a grin when Tani’s scowl deepened at Selene’s comment.

“What kind of Ekho are you?” Dante asked, leaning on the counter, his arms crossed as he studied Selene.

Strange, but had Tani not said it, he would never have known Selene was an Ekho. She did not look like one. Dante frowned thinking about the Ekhos he had met in the past few days.

Tani’s uncle, Amu, and the earth goddess, Eren, had also looked quite plain. Why was it different when he looked at Tani? Was it because Tani’s eyes were amber?

“I’m a half-breed,” Selene said, smiling at Dante. “Half-fox and half-dragon. My parents brought me to the mortal world to escape harsh criticism from the more cynical members of our clans. Don’t look so surprised. Prejudice grows in every society in some form.”

“Why do you call Tani royalty?” Dante asked.

“He’s the son of the Fox Goddess Anit and…,” Selene looked at Tani. Dante wondered if she was waiting for Tani to protest, but when he did not, she grinned and continued. “The Immortal Lord Sunu.”

“Immortal Lord,” Dante said, his gaze returning to Tani. “As in the head of the Immortal Clan?”

“Yes. Lord Sunu is the master of the Citadel and the emperor of our Ekho clan. He rules the Septum,” Selene said. “You’re well informed for a mortal.”

“I’m a bloodborne warlock,” Dante said. “Ekho-blessed with fire magic.”

“Oh,” Selene’s eyes widened with drama. “That explains the fire I see in your veins. You’re a mortal hybrid. Your kind is rare. Your mother must have come from a powerful warlock line.”

“Yes. Her powers added to my father’s and made me. Why are your eyes different from Tani’s?” Dante asked, curious about Selene’s blue eyes.

“My father is a dragon,” Selene said. “I get my eyes and blonde hair from him. Even my powers and love for beautiful things come from him. In our line, the more powerful parent leaves a mark on his or her children.”

“So, Tani’s power and eyes,” Dante said, his sentence trailing off as he met Tani’s amber gaze.

“My father’s mark on me,” Tani confirmed. “My hair is red from my mother’s side.”

“Fox Lord’s parents are at the god level,” Selene said, her voice heavy with reverence. “It’s natural to have a mark from each one.”

“Why do you call him Fox Lord?” Dante asked.

“It is the easiest title,” Selene said. “I’m not shameless enough to go around calling out the name of the Immortal Lord’s son. I’m afraid he will come to find me.”

Tani scoffed at Selene’s comment, his shoulders tense at the mention of his father.

Dante noted the tension growing in Tani at the mention of his roots. He brushed his lips on Tani’s forehead and decided to change the topic. He asked Selene about her farm and what she was growing.

Selene was fun to have around, once they got over her need to poke at Tani’s mood. She was lively and enjoyed sharing recipes. She shared the same aversion to Cale that Dante had for the god of calamities.

“Don’t fight him if he shows up,” Selene said to Dante when she got up to leave after lunch. “He protects Fox Lord like a guard dog. It’s hard not to respect him for his dedication.”

“Have I said you talk too much today?” Tani asked as he watched Selene leave the kitchen with a wave.

“More times than I care to count,” Selene said. “I’ll bring you more veggies the day after tomorrow.”

“I didn’t ask,” Tani said.

“I’m telling Dante,” Selene said, blowing a kiss at Dante. “I’ll see you later, handsome Dante. I hope you smooth his edges by the time I get back.”

Dante chuckled as a strong wind pushed Selene out of the house and slammed the door closed.

“Your magic works well when you’re annoyed,” Dante said. “Selene is not so bad.”

“She is an acquired taste,” Tani said, shaking his head.

“I think you worry about her, but you don’t want to make it obvious. Why?”

“I don’t,” Tani said, standing up. He took their used plates to the sink.

“Tani.”

“We should finish the row we started this morning,” Tani said starting the water to wash their plates.

Dante bit his bottom lip to stop himself from pushing. It was interesting to discover that this house probably held the secrets of Tani’s core. Like the truth of Cale protecting Tani, and pushing him to live when he didn’t want to.

This place was where Tani allowed himself to feel vulnerable. It held the truth of Tani’s true feelings.

Later in the afternoon, Dante stood next to Tani looking at the dead branch Tani was pointing out.

Dante held a hand pruner, poised to make a cut as soon as Tani showed him where.

“We have to get rid of these dead branches,” Tani said, showing him the spot to cut. “I try to make sure there is enough light coming through. Don’t hesitate when you cut. We don’t want the branch to gain an unnecessary bruise.”

Dante made the cut, holding the dead branch so that it would not fall on Tani’s head.

Tani turned to him with a pleased smile, and Dante froze in place, his heartbeat speeding. Sunrays sifted through the leaves of the apple tree they were pruning, falling over Tani’s red-brown hair, turning it into a rich vibrant color. Tani’s amber eyes shone in the light making Dante’s heart squeeze tight.

So beautiful, Dante was sure he would never tire of looking at Tani.

Yes, these past two days had turned into an exercise in restraint.

Dante waited every day for Tani to reach for him. To ask him for more than the kisses they shared, for more than holding hands as they sat watching the sunset. He wished and hoped for their kisses to turn into lovemaking, but Tani seemed content with the little they were doing.

It was hell sleeping next to Tani and feeling so unsure—

Of course, the sun would decide to push his limits. Painting this perfect creature with light, making him look so utterly stunning, it was hard not to want to kiss him until they were both naked on the grass under the apple trees.

Damn. Did the sun forget he was a simple poor mortal soul?

Dante dropped the branch he held in the wheelbarrow from the shed already half-filled with dead branches. He stole another glance at Tani and caught him frozen in place.

“What are you thinking about?” Dante asked, closing the pruners he held.

“I should ask you that question,” Tani said, turning away. He sauntered to the next apple tree.

Dante watched Tani study the branches. Dropping the pruners into the discarded branches in the wheelbarrow, Dante followed Tani.

“Your lips are pursed so tight, I want to kiss them into compliance. What are you holding yourself back from saying?”

“I’m not holding back,” Tani said, touching a small bud on the tree. The white apple flower grew into a fuller bud before Tani let go of it and walked to the next tree.

Tani’s magic seemed to work better in this place, Dante noted.

“Yes, you are. Tani, you promised not to keep me at arms’ length,” Dante accused, following Tani. “I can barely restrain myself from pulling you down on the grass and making love to you. Yet, when I look at you, I think you don’t feel the same way.”

“Who says I don’t? We’ve slept in the same bed for two nights. I must hold no appeal to you, as you have not attempted to reach for me at all. Dante Arturo, if you want me, you must tell me. How will I know if you don’t say it?” Tani asked.

Tani abandoned his study of the apple trees and headed to the farmhouse.

Dante gaped and then chuckled at Tani’s last question.

“Then, I’ll just show you how much more I want with you,” he murmured and ran after Tani.

****

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Christophe and Landi stood. Their gazes wide for different reasons as they took in Tani.

“It is you,” Landi said in greeting, moving away from the island table, coming to face Tani. “You are Ryuzo?”

Tani smiled.

“Yes. It has been a long time, young Landi,” Tani said. “How have you been?”

Landi took a few steps forward and took Tani’s right hand, holding it with both his hands as he studied Tani.

“Extraordinary thanks to your help. You haven’t aged one bit,” Landi said.

“What are we missing?” Nora asked, looking to her husband. “Christophe? Why are you standing there like a statue?”

“Excuse me, it’s not everyday one gets to meet an Ekho in ones home,” Christophe said.

Tani chuckled, glancing at Dante, who winked at him.

“When did you meet Landi?” Nora asked.

“He was a very young man when we met,” Tani said, not making an effort to remove his right hand from Landi’s hold.

The grandmaster watched him with wonder. His eyes bright with recognition.

Tani sifted through his vast memories, until his stint with Landi in Andalusia in the late eighteen hundreds returned to him.

“We met when I was fourteen,” Landi said.

Dante let out a short impressed whistle and walked around them to sit at the island table.

“Grandmaster, were you ever that young?” Dante asked.

“Even younger,” Tani said, smiling at Landi when the older man grinned back at him. “As reckless as you, Dante. He almost burned down an inn over brutal treatment by a gang leader at the docks where he lived at the time.”

Landi chuckled and let go of Tani’s hand.

Christophe pulled out a chair next to Dante at the island table.

Nora then guided Tani to the island table and he sat next to Dante. She hurried to the cooking range to get him a glass of tea.

Landi sat across Dante and Tani with Christophe joining him.

“Why did you almost burn down a building, Grandpa?” Christophe asked, taking the glass of tea Dante pushed toward him.

“Our family was going through a hard time,” Landi said. “My father passed away and we had creditors who wanted our very life. I had to protect mom, so I tried my best to make money and sometimes it wasn’t enough so I broke the law. Until I met Mr. Ryuzo. He changed my life.”

“Please, Mr. Ryuzo sounds so formal,” Tani said, getting comfortable in his seat. “Call me Tani.”

“I think we need to know more about this encounter. Don’t you think so, Dad?” Dante asked, accepting a glass of tea from Nora. He passed it to Tani and waited for the second one.

“I have read the stories in your grandmaster’s journals,” Christophe said, sipping his tea. “Still, reading is not the same. He tells the story better.”

Landi let out a soft sigh and looked at Tani.

“There is not much to tell. I was born in a shabby house in the Seville docks in Andalusia. My dad worked in cargo ships, and often took voyages so we lived where he could find work. He had moved our family from Ottoman territory, hoping to escape the life of a farmer and make a fortune in a different region. The only work he could get easily was working on ships. He made good money, but he was not very smart with our family’s finances,” Landi said, shaking his head.

“When he was not on long voyages, he ran destructive vices: drinking, gambling, and women…,” Landi sighed. “There was no way to cure him. Mom tried and failed too many times. She did her best to keep my younger sister and me safe. Mom worked in the laundry of a successful inn. She kept money aside to sustain our lives and pay rent. We tried to hide what she saved, but it didn’t always work out.”

“Your father found it,” Dante said, tensing in his chair.

“Most times,” Landi said, shadows in his eyes as he remembered his distant past.

“Was he violent?” Dante asked, his tense tone drawing Tani’s gaze.

“When he was drunk,” Landi said with a shrug, looking at Dante. “It’s in the past.”

“Either way, I’m sorry you had to live through that kind of situation,” Dante said, sitting back in his chair.

Tani placed a hand on his right knee and warmth flooded him when Dante reached down to cover his hand with his right one.

Landi studied Dante for a moment, and then his lips curved in a smile at the clear sympathy in Dante’s gaze.

“Don’t dwell on it,” Landi said. “I don’t. In any case, Dad died after fighting with a man he owed money in a pub. His creditors soon came knocking at our door after his funeral. I had to start working to make money to help mom. The best place to do that as fourteen-year-old kid was doing odd jobs at the docks.”

“We lived along a stretch dominated by a powerful gang that had its hands on liquor imports and all the pubs along the docks,” Landi said, staring into his tea. “As I said earlier, I was very angry at fourteen. Easy to trigger, and full of fire. A fire my mother called the devil’s gift because she had no idea why I had it in me. She tried her best to love me despite my strange gift. Still her discomfort with it made me angrier.”

“We had to live. I had no scruples in making sure we had money for food. I overstepped and crossed multiple members of the gang, and even stole money from their leader if an opportunity presented itself. One bad night, the gang boss caught me thieving from one of his clients, and he made mom pay for the interest with money she had saved for our rent. Mom was at her wits end with me. She cried for a night and a day. So…I left the house the next evening determined to make the gang boss pay for making her cry.”

“Not stealing would have made her cry less,” Nora pointed out, placing a platter filled with cured meats, tomatoes and lettuce, white cheese cubes, eggs, and more on the table. She handed Dante a glass of tea, and patted his shoulder.

Tani studied the platter of food excited by the spread. He smiled at Nora in thanks when she handed him a plate and cutlery.

“Stealing was the easiest way to keep our family living day-to-day, or so I believed,” Landi said, continuing his story. “In any case, I set about getting that gang boss back for making mom cry. I decided the best way was to burn down his most popular pub, which was where he had his office. I waited until it was late in the night. You see, I was skinny enough to slip through the alleys without people noticing me. I found the right spot to start the fire on the bar and lit up a beam with my magic, and…”

Landi made a wave with his hands, soft harmless sparks falling from the tips of his fingers.

“My fire died in a vacuum,” Landi said, shaking his head. “It shocked me because I had never experienced something like that. The fire always came when I wanted it. I looked up and Mr. Ryu—I mean, Tani was leaning on the wall opposite watching me. I thought he was one of the gang boss’s men. Though with his clean cut style of dress, he couldn’t have been.”

“You tried to put me on fire,” Tani said with a short grin, as he took a slice of homemade bread, and covered it with a thin layer of cottage cheese. He took a bite, his gaze on an embarrassed Landi.

“There was no chance I would manage it,” Landi said with a soft voice. “You turned my fire attempts into grape vines. Told me I should rethink my choices. That I should work to get my family to move back to our true home and start a new.”

“I just wanted to give you a new school of thought,” Tani said, swallowing the delicious bread. He sipped his tea. “Had you continued as I found you, I fear this present existence would not have come to be.”

Landi studied him, and then agreed with a single nod.

“Yes. You are quite right,” Landi said. “The vines you made from my fire started this vineyard. I have always wanted to thank you for helping my family back then. Your support saved us, helped us return here to Artri.”

“It was my duty,” Tani said, placing his slice of bread on the plate and sat back, his gaze on Landi.

“Is it because of the promise you made to the original Durante?” Christophe asked, watching Tani openly.

“No.” Tani shook his head, the importance of his meeting with Landi suddenly filling him.

“No, that is not why I came for you, Landi. I was working under the Elderwood Conservancy. We were hidden in those ages, still are in a way. We are known now among modern scholars because we try to help heal the environment and protect wildlife. However, the core reason why Elderwood exists is to watch over the Ekho-blessed children in the mortal realm. Creating sanctuaries for the children powerful heretics insisted had the devil’s gifts, as you say,” Tani said. A deep frown creasing his forehead. “I was sent to check your case because of a rumor that there was a child who started fires when he was angry. I had no clear information on you until you wanted to burn down the bar.”

“Oh,” Landi frowned. “So, it is not because of my connection to Durante? I heard you are sworn to protect his generations.”

“I am sworn to this promise, but no, that is not why I came to you. Durante’s line had no power when you were young, Landi. His bloodline was pure mortal. You changed it though when you met your wife. She belonged to Durante’s bloodline.”

“Wow,” Christophe said, his gaze shifting to Landi. “Here you thought it was because of our Artri bloodline.”

“It seemed like it should be,” Landi said, shaking his head as he studied Tani. “Then…is it true our patriarch is a powerful ekho, a god of fire in the Ekho Realm?”

“It is true. Kinon is his name,” Tani said, holding out his wrists. “Forger of these cuffs that ground me to the mortal realm.”

“Is he a good soul?” Nora asked, her gaze on the cuffs on Tani’s wrists. “This Kinon who has blessed our Artri House with his power. Is he a good ekho?”

Tani let out a soft sigh, and dropped his hands to his lap, a heaviness filling his chest. Dante responded to the sigh by taking his left hand and tangling their fingers. The warmth of his touch soothed the sting in his chest and he took in a lighter breath.

“Your definition of good is different from mine, ours as Ekho,” Tani said. “In real truth, I am not old enough to pass judgment on Kinon, the Ekho god of fire. By all the rules governing my existence in the Ekho Realm, I am a deviant Ekho. One who has broken, defied, the accepted rules of our Ekho realm. So, I cannot answer your question, Nora Arturo.”

The room went silent, and then Dante cleared his throat.

“So, just how old are you, Grandmaster?” Dante asked. “Should I be calling the Guinness World Record? I’m very sure we are bound to win. What year were you born?”

“You will do no such thing,” Christophe said, pointing a finger at Dante in clear admonishment. “This son of mine might actually attempt to do it.”

Tani chuckled and glanced at Landi.

“I should be a hundred and forty-seven or so,” Landi said. “The fire inside me keeps me young. It should be the same for those in our bloodline. We age slowly.”

“How many are there like you?” Tani asked.

“Our family is very old. Our bloodline dates back to the eleventh century. We here in this room are the last standing with power,” Landi said, his gaze lost in memory. “The first of our line was named Christophe Artri, he had a daughter named Nora Artri, and it continues. Those before me had passed on by the time we were able to return to Aretias Island.”

“When my family returned from Andalusia, we only found my grandmother. Thank the fates for her. She helped me understand who I was, what I was. From her, I learned how to control my fire. She kept records of our family. It felt good to discover that a long line of Artri men and women had gifts like mine. I didn’t feel so alone, even though my power was decidedly stronger than all the others in our line were. I have helped document our line since then.”

“How did you know your power was stronger than others?” Tani asked.

“There were spells grandmother could not do and she was with power. I was stronger than she was, though that changed when Dante was born. He is stronger than Christophe and me. When my wife gave birth to our children,” Landi said. “I got one son and three daughters. My son had no magik in his blood because his mother was not ekho-blessed. The magik skipped the girls too, but that is common. However, it found my grandson because we made an effort to make sure his mother was ekho-blessed, Christophe, and his son, Dante. These two should have the same outcome with age as me.”

“They should,” Tani said, with a thoughtful nod.

Kinon had truly put a lot of thought into his interference. The question remained why.

Had this been his intention to begin with?

Tani studied Landi.

Kinon had blessed the Artri nurturing a long line of warlocks. Then Landi’s father decides to break out of farming, ending up in Andalusia. He takes long voyages in search of a fortune, and Landi is born with the strongest power in the line. His bloodline then contributes to Dante’s current bloodborne warlock magik. It felt like a renewal of Ekho magik. Renewing the Artri line to keep it relevant.

Tani bit back a scoff at the thought.

For Landi to grow his power this much, then it should have been that his mother had an affair with Kinon. Landi’s mother would have no real knowledge of what Kinon was.

Tani thought about the request to the conservancy to find Landi. It was also suspect.

Could Kinon have pretended to be the owner of the inn…?

Tani reached for his phone.

“What is it?” Dante asked.

“Now that I hear Landi’s story and remember his case, I have questions as to how Elderwood knew to find you in Andalusia,” Tani said.

“Is it very unusual?” Dante asked.

Tani wrote a message to Hera.

‘Visit the conservancy archives for me. Find case files for the Andalusia region, late eighteen hundreds. I need to know who sent the case to the conservancy. Also the lineage book with Artri House.’

“Mm,” Tani said. “Not quite, we did get requests for odd occurrences around the world, but…Landi’s case was specific.”

Tani’s phone pinged and opened the voice message from Hera.

Sawa, Babu. By the way, the ghost of the fortress left a gift in the living room you should see. Tom and I have decided you should bring your new boyfriend to meet us. I’ll make him samosas with pepper.

Tani grinned and glanced at Dante.

“What are samosas?”

“Triangle pastries filled with beefy yummyness,” Tani said. “Hera is a master with them. You’ll love them.”

“Can’t wait to try them then,” Dante said.

“Just so you know, she’s going to ask many questions,” Tani said, putting away his phone.

“Does she know about our past?” Dante asked.

“No,” Tani shook his head. “And, I would like to keep it that way. There are parts of my life that are difficult to share with Tom and Hera. Our long connection is part of that.”

“I understand,” Dante said tangling his fingers with Tani’s left hand again.

“Just how long has the Elderwood Conservancy existed?” Landi asked, sipping his tea.

“Elderwood has been around in various forms since the thirteenth century. My uncle named it.”

“Uncle?” Dante asked.

“Mm,” Tani said turning to Dante. “He would have given you the tour when you came, but he had a pressing engagement. He’s my…guardian.”

“Will I meet him too?” Dante asked. “Will he approve of me?”

Tani chuckled.

“I doubt he has a choice at this point. We’ve been—,”

Tani broke off, biting his bottom lip his gaze on Dante.

“He’s been part of us for a long time. He knows everything about you.”

“Oh,” Dante said.

“What kind of work does the conservancy do?” Christophe asked. “In this age.”

“It has always protected your kind,” Tani said. “You’re not the only recipient of our care. Though, I wasn’t sure of your bloodline at the time. There are many like you who need our care, even now.”

“Like my father?” Landi asked.

“Your father was a mortal,” Tani cut in, studying Landi, wondering how to convey his suspicions without seeming callous. “If the power was in him, it remained dormant. Instead, he was a damaging force. I doubt anyone could have saved him from himself. Once his quest for fortune failed, it was not in him to return to his true family here, so he kept you and your mother in pain and poverty. In a way, he forged you.”

Landi sighed and nodded in agreement.

“I’ve always wondered if he had the gift.”

“He did not,” Tani shook his head. His phone buzzed again and he reached for it to find a picture from Hera. It was the file he asked for and the book with Atri House’s lineage. They were on the desk in his private library.

“Thank you. Will plan for you to meet Dante. Don’t give him a hard time. He’s my heart.”

Tani messaged back to Hera and summoned the file and book to him. He moved his plate and teacup to the side so that the book and the thick folder could fall on the table. No one at the table flinched in surprise. They had clearly seen more elaborate designs of magik.

“This book records your house and claims the current head of the house is Christophe Arturo.” Tani opened it to the fire element pages and held out the book to Landi. “I think it was recorded using hearsay. If you would help correct the record for future generations working in our Elderwood Conservancy.”

“We will,” Christophe said, taking the book from Landi. He started reading the contents and paused. “This is fascinating. Are you saying Artri is the only lineage with fire?”

“Yes,” Tani said. “There has not been any other. Any discovered anyway.”

“Oh,” Landi said. “We’re so rare.”

“I think your patriarch is very strict with himself. Your house should be the only one he created,” Tani said, opening the old file from the Andalusia period.

He searched and found the name of the inn keeper who submitted a request to find Landi.

It read, ‘Onnik Kinno.’

Tani grinned at the god of fire’s clear originality.

Onnik Kinno. First and Last name, each one an anagram of Kinon.

“Must you reveal Master’s clear lack of originality?” Artri whispered in Tani’s head.

“Not my fault he could not think up a good name for his mortal lover,” Tani replied. ‘Onnik Kinno.’

Artri huffed and Tani bit back his amused laugh.

Landi’s true father was Kinon, the god of fire himself. Tani sighed. Kinon must have been very invested in making Dante’s line strong to have renewed the bloodline.

This…he would have to discuss with Dante later.

He returned the file to his library and sat back in his chair to drink his tea. His gaze on Christophe and Landi who were busy counting down the number of generations they needed to add in the book.

Dante used tongs to fill Tani’s plate with cheese cubes, grapes, toasted fresh bread and a mix of cold meats.

“I have a question,” Nora said. She had settled in a chair at the head of the table on Tani’s side. “What is your Ekho clan, Tani?”

“I am a hybrid,” Tani said. “Also, I’m a deviant Ekho sent to the mortal world to serve a sentence. My affiliations with any clan have ended at this point.”

“Because of your beloved?” Dante asked, studying his plate of food with grat interest.

“Partly,” Tani said. “I was still in the mortal realm even before my punishment. There are reasons for that too.”

“Oh,” Nora said, nodding. “So, would you be willing to give us more information about the Ekho Realm?”

“Yes,” Christophe said, looking up from the lineage book. “I mean, our institute is in dire need of information about your kind. What we know is like folklore. We teach it but it’s not the same as the offering truth. Is that something you would be willing to share?”

“It would depend,” Tani said, accepting the fork Dante handed hi. “I might be a deviant but I am still sworn to the laws of our kind. They include not giving mortals too much information about our kind.”

“It’s hardly fair,” Landi said. “Your kind has all the power. You come here and create the ekho-blessed. We now have to content with deadly parasites like Kara ot. Don’t you think it’s unfair to keep us in the dark about your kind?”

Tani chuckled and sat back in his seat.

“I suppose you are right,” Tani said. “Those in the Elderwood Conservancy have spent time with me and my uncle. What they know has been largely from dealing with us, and situations that crop through time. We handle the worst brought by the Ekho Realm. We don’t share the information with outsiders because it can also prove dangerous. I suppose it is because of Uncle Amu—”

“Can we join the conservancy?” Landi asked. “Including us into Elderwood will mean you violate no agreements with your people.”

“Who are us?” Tani asked, popping a grape into his mouth. “Artri House or the school you both run. The one that made Dante?”

“Both,” Nora said, drawing Tani’s gaze.

“Mom,” Dante started.

“Artri House includes me,” Nora said, sipping her tea. “The institute does not. Tani, I saw how you were with Hera and Tom. Who is Hera to you?”

“She is my ward,” Tani said. “Why?”

“You respect her opinions,” Nora said. “I feel Elderwood does that for the women of our kind. I want to be part of it.”

“Nora,” Christophe said, staring at his wife in shock. “You run Artri House, unfettered. Why would you say you are not included?”

What did you do when I told you that Landi had placed a silencing spell on me?” Nora asked.

Christophe stopped, his gaze shifting to Dante.

Tani watched Dante sip his tea without pause. He decided to relax and enjoy breakfast too.

“You did nothing,” Nora answered for Christophe. “Our son confronted Landi the moment he discovered the truth. So, I am no longer spelled thanks to Dante. This is why I am able to tell Tani that the Ekho I trade with is called Aero. He is from the Dragon Clan.”

Tani placed his fork down and frowned.

“Aero. I’ve know of him. He runs auctions across the world. Elderwood has watched him for some time now. The results of his auctions have been mostly harmless. But now with the wicked black weed…”

Tani’s frown deepened in thought.

The dragon clan was in peace with most clans in the Ekho Realm, but they were a cunning race. They were noble and ferocious. Dragon clan people loved wealth and precious jewels. They did not discriminate on the people they traded with especially if it meant attaining a coveted item. Which could mean Aero might have brought Kara ot for the right price.

“Tani?” Dante touched his elbow.

Tani met worried brown eyes.

“Perhaps your grandmaster is right,” Tani said with a small sigh. “Our traits make us. In saying that, Aero’s dragon traits are important. He might have brought the black weed. I need to call in someone Dante. Do not lock them out.”

“I don’t—”

“It is your will that runs Artri House,” Tani murmured. “I won’t go with them, but we need to work very fast. Aero is dangerous. Trust me.”

“I do,” Dante said. “Do what you need to do.”

Tani smiled and turned to Nora.

“Thank you for sharing the name with me,” Tani said. “I’ll bring someone who will help resolve this mystery. He can also accept Artri House and your school’s application to join Elderwood. I can only help you up to here. The rest is up to you.”

Nora nodded her consent and Tani closed his eyes and reached out to Amu.

‘Uncle.’

‘Tani, where are you?’ Amu responded.

‘Please visit Artri House. Use me as an anchor to find it,” Tani said.

Tani hesitated then clenched his hands into tight firsts as he added.

“You may bring the Ekho goddess of earth with you.”

“We’ll be there,” Amu answered.

Tani ended the connection and swallowed down his annoyance with having to include Eren. The thought of helping the Septum left him angry but he could not leave the members of this house vulnerable.

Dante’s warm hand covered his left fist. He looked up to find Dante studying him.

“You okay?” Dante asked.

“I’m fine,” Tani said, his heart skipping at the warmth in Dante’s eyes. He wished they were alone. He consoled himself with the fact that they would be sooner or later. Reaching for the tea glass before im, he took a sip. “Nora, the breakfast spread looks delicious. Atri House sure does have the best meals. Dante cooked last night and it was amazing.”

“Meals are the soul of a house,” Nora answered. “It is good to have everyone in the house meet at the table to touch base.”

“Meals are how you discover who has spelled who in the family,” Dante said, making Nora chuckle and Christophe and Landi scowled at him.

“Then you serve tea after serious threats,” Nora added. “Grandmaster would know very much about such an incident.”

“Really?” Tani turned his inquiring gaze at Landi.

“Yes, Dante threatened to rip me to pieces with liquid silver on Wednesday. He wanted me to remove the spell on Nora. I did it and then Nora served us breakfast right here.”

Tani chuckled at his beloved’s petty nature.

“You have a mean streak, Dante,” Tani said, glancing at Dante.

“I was protecting mom,” Dante said, holding out a piece of white cheese to Tani. “Try this, it’s delicious.”

Tani took a bite and nodded in agreement, as he ate. He was sipping his tea when Amu and Eren shimmered in to the kitchen.

The wave of white light that filled the kitchen surprised Nora. She dropped the butter knife she held to stare at the two Ekhos in her kitchen.

Tani stood then, and Dante followed his gaze to Amu.

“Uncle,” Tani said in greeting.

“Tani,” Amu said, with a small nod in greeting. “So this is Artri House.”

“Yes,” Tani held out his hand to a stunned Landi. “He is the eldest of the Artri line, followed by Christophe and his wife, Nora. They are Dante’s parents.”

“Children of Kinon,” Eren said, her gaze fixated on Dante. “You…you’re the culmination of his power. How extraordinary.”

Tani ignored Eren’s observations and faced Dante’s family.

“May I introduce Amu Izuna, born of the Fox Lord Nua Izuna. He is brother to the fox goddess. He takes the last name Ryuzo in the mortal realm to honor my roots. She is Eren, the Ekho goddess of the earth. She is from the Immortal Clan and one of the Septum.”

Landi, Christophe, and Nora stood to give their greetings.

Dante’s came up much slower, his gaze on Eren.

“She contributed to the cuffs on your wrist,” Dante said, still holding Tani’s left hand. “Why is she here?”

Tani smirked, meeting Eren’s gaze.

“It is unavoidable,” Tani said, moving closer to Dante. He squeezed Dante’s fingers. “We need her authority to control Aero.”

“How should we address you?” Landi asked.

“Amu and Eren,” Amu said, looking at the laden table. “Sorry for intruding during your breakfast.”

“Not at all,” Nora said. “You are welcome to join us. Have a seat. I’ll brew some more tea.”

“Thank you for the offer but not this time,” Amu said, shaking his head. “We have an appointment we must keep elsewhere. Cale waits for us.”

“The god of calamity?” Dante asked with a frown. “Why would you associate with him?”

“I would ask why we are associating with mortals.” Eren countered.

Dante gaped at her.

“These mortals are Ekho-blessed, guarded by Kinon,” Tani said, frowning at Eren. “I called you here because Nora Arturo has provided us with the name of the Ekho who visits this manor. He is Aero from the dragon clan.”

“Aero, the owner of the Kur Auction,” Amu said, his right brow rising in mild surprise. “Why would he visit here?”

Tani glanced at Nora and smiled when he saw her shiver with anxiety.

“Uncle, you know Aero needs to source items for auction,” Tani said. “Artri House is filled with great magik. They will cross paths. It is not taboo.”

“Of course,” Amu said, shifting his gaze to Nora, Christophe, and Landi. “Now that we know the possible source of the black weed, we can trace back his steps. We shall need help from the person Aero meets.”

“That is me,” Nora said.

Eren held out her hand.

Nora walked around Dante and Tani to reach her. They shimmered out of Artri House the moment Nora touched Eren’s hand.

“Don’t worry,” Amu said when Dante took a startled step forward. “They will be back shortly.”

“Uncle,” Tani said, squeezing Dante’s hand. “Artri House would love to join the Elderwood network. Landi and Christophe also run a school they want to include. I told them you would hear them out.”

“Artri House is included in our network without question,” Amu said, his gaze on Dante. “As it always is with one in his bloodline. His children and theirs after remain under our care.”

Dante held out his hand to Amu.

Amu took his hand in a firm handshake.

“Thank you,” Dante said.

“Don’t thank me,” Amu said, letting go of Dante’s hand after a moment. “I take care of what is important to Tani.”

“I am grateful for your care,” Dante said.

“Uncle,” Tani started.

“The culprit responsible for the black weed is almost caught. We know where to start looking in order to resolve this incident. Leave the search to Cale, Eren, and me,” Amu said his gaze gentle when he looked at Tani. “The sand in the hourglass lessens. You should get on with it.”

Amu was giving him time with Dante. Releasing him from the search for Aero so that the trial might end with no interference.

“This is the last chance,” Amu continued. “Give it your all and make sure there are no regrets.”

Tani smiled and stepped forward. He took Amu’s right hand, and pressed the back of it to his forehead. A show of respect for the man he considered his father in all the ways that mattered. He was keenly aware that his life would be miserable without Amu’s full support.

Amu placed his palm on top of Tani’s head in gentle blessing.

“Be careful out there,” Amu said. “I will let you know if any changes arise.”

Tani stepped away from Amu, just as Nora and Eren returned to the kitchen. Nora sat in the closest chair when Eren let go of her hand and let out a relieved breath. Her eyes shining with excitement.

“Mom, are you alright?” Dante asked, moving to Nora’s side.

“I’m very fine,” Nora said with a happy grin. “The teleporting was exciting. Lady Eren is very powerful. She traced Aero’s comings and goings at the beach. We discovered he uses a ship that docks not too far from our beach and comes in. They’ll find out more.”

“Mm,” Eren said, nodding as she turned to Amu. “I have marked his footsteps on the ground. I’ll be able to find him in this realm.”

“You’re indeed of the earth,” Amu said. “Before we leave, there is the topic of Elderwood and this house. Mrs. Arturo, why don’t we get started on an agreement. Tani, don’t let us keep you here.”

Tani looked to Dante with a small smile, relieved his uncle would take on the case with Aero.

“You wanted to stop by your office,” Tani said, remembering Dante’s wish for time alone. “Do you still want to take the sabbatical?”

Dante squeezed his mother’s right shoulder and moved away from the table to stand next to Tani.

“Yes,” Dante said, taking Tani’s left hand. “I’d love it very much.”

“Then,” Tani said, tightening his hold on Dante’s hand. “Let’s go.”

Dante glanced at his family, gave them a short wave, before Tani enveloped both of them in bright gold light. Tani teleported them out of Artri House, heading to Dante’s apartment in Istanbul.

***

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Dante woke to sunshine flooding his bedroom, and the feel of Tani Ryuzo’s warmth in his arms. He lay still, taking in the scent of his own shampoo, mixed in with Tani’s clean scent. It filled his nostrils, permeated his cells, and his lungs, and filled his heart with joy. He could not remember feeling so content in his life.

Tani shifted, snuggling deeper into his chest, and Dante smiled at the trust Tani was giving him.

He rarely held his partners in his arms, not even Viola with whom he had children.

Dante brushed his fingers through Tani’s red-brown hair and enjoyed the moment. They were on his bed, the covers wrapped around them after a night of hard sleeping. Tani breathed in gentle motion, deep asleep.

Dante took the chance to sink his fingers into soft red-brown hair, allowing his fingers to memorize the texture of it between his fingers. He stroked Tani’s hair in absent movement and managed to uncover Tani’s right earlobe.

The gold leafs lining Tani’s right earlobe drew his interest, and he shifted his fingers to the earrings. It took him only a second to discover the leaves were not earrings. They were part of Tani and could not be removed. They looked sealed into Tani’s skin. Five Elderwood leaves, their artisanship hard to copy, they looked real.

Dante rubbed his thumb on the surface of each leaf, fascinated by their presence on Tani’s ear. Why five golden leaves on his ear? Did they represent something? Did he feel it when Dante touched them?

Dante pressed a kiss on the top of Tani’s earlobe and leaned back to find Tani watching him. His breath caught when he looked into clear amber eyes. His cock filled in full appreciation when Tani pressed into him with a small smile.

“Morning,” Tani murmured, burying his face into Dante’s chest.

“Morning,” Dante said with a pleased grin, then whispered into Tani’s right ear. “I think I should let you know that I’m in trouble.”

Tani leaned back, eyes wide with worry.

“What kind of trouble?”

“It’s very serious trouble,” Dante said, his tone grim.

Tani frowned, and Dante grinned.

“Now that we’ve spent this night together, I really cannot give us up. I slept so well, and then I woke up with you in my arms. It’s a gift. I have to keep you. Can I?” Dante asked. “You’re addictive.”

Tani shook his head at Dante’s declaration and studied him for a moment.

“I didn’t think you were so mushy,” Tani said, resting his head on Dante’s chest.

“I can’t help it,” Dante said, running the palm of his hand over Tani’s back. Up and down, until Tani leaned back to look at him.

“You’re not the only one addicted,” Tani said. “I love yo—this, I love this, too.”

Dante smiled and leaned in to kiss Tani. Taking his lips in a sweet kiss that quickly turned possessive. The moment his lips touched Tani’s, he wanted more, wanted to feel Tani’s skin, explore, caress, and touch every inch of him. Discover what made Tani moan in pleasure and come apart in ecstasy. Tani returned his kisses with equal hunger. Dante wished they could stay in his bed making out the whole day.

His phone buzzed on the bedside table and burst the bubble. He ignored it, kissing Tani, wrapping his arms around him, and rolling so he was on his back with Tani lying over him. Their kiss continued until they were both breathing hard. His phone started ringing again, this time in earnest and Tani broke their kiss to stare at the gadget on the bedside table.

“Nora is calling,” Tani said, looking at Dante. “She seems determined.”

Tani rested his head on Dante’s chest and let out a soft contented sigh. Dante sunk his fingers into his hair as he reached for his phone with his left hand. He answered the phone.

“Morning, Mom.”

“My son is finally awake,” Nora said. “I wanted to catch you before you decide to leave this morning. Your father is home. It will be nice to have breakfast together. I also have news from Aero. Will you come down?”

“Yes, Mom. I am also bringing someone to breakfast.”

“That sounds heavy,” Nora said. “I can’t wait to meet him.”

Dante smiled as he hung up and looked down to find Tani watching him.

“My family is downstairs,” Dante said, placing his phone on the bed so that he could wrap both his arms around Tani. “They want to have a meal together.”

Tani nodded and held his gaze.

“You want me to meet your family?”

“Why not?” Dante asked, kissing the top of Tani’s head. “I want to introduce you to my family as my boyfriend. This way, they will not be confused. They’ll know what you mean to me.”

Tani gave him a slow grin, his amber eyes shimmering for a moment with a beautiful ring of gold. His eyes were so beautiful; Dante took in a breath as his heart leaped in his chest. Tani lowered his gaze and shifted his head on Dante’s chest. Dante’s gaze caught on Tani’s right earlobe and he reached for the gold leaves.

***

Tani closed his eyes and listened to Dante’s heartbeat. Tani’s heartbeat matched the rhythm. It was steady, assuring.

“Your right earlobe is fascinating,” Dante said, his thumb stroking Tani’s right earlobe. “Why do you have five gold Elderwood leaves on your ear?”

“They show my standing in my father’s family. To show that I’m his son,” Tani said, not liking the melancholy filling him when he thought about his father.

“Your Dad?”

“Mm,” Tani said, looking up to meet Dante’s gaze again. “Let’s not think about him. I don’t want to spoil this beautiful day.”

Dante studied him for a moment then smiled.

“Okay. It is a beautiful Thursday morning,” Dante said with a nod. “The best I’ve ever had. I lay here earlier, watching you sleep, and contemplated taking a sabbatical.”

“Are you running away from work?”

“It won’t be running away,” Dante said with a chuckle. “Just taking time off and spending a year with you. I don’t want to miss a moment with you, Tani. It occurred to me that I’m almost thirty-six years old. You are the first person in my life I want to give all my time. Maybe Viola was right and I am a cold bastard.”

Tani’s heart skipped a beat and warmth filled his chest at Dante’s words. He had already given Dante all his time, his life. It felt good to have Dante want to give him back a little of the same. It was the first time his beloved had voiced even an intention of more than a dalliance.

“I will cherish your time, Dante,” Tani said. “And you’re not cold, you’re filled with fire. She just didn’t know how to see it.”

“Do you see my fire?” Dante asked, his brow rising in question.

Tani sat up, his left hand resting on Dante’s chest. The warm fragment of Dante’s soul residing in his empty heart sent a pulse of heat through him. The gold mist swirling around Dante wrapped around his palm, responding to the obvious affection in Dante’s heart.

Their connection was so very fragile, but promising. He wished there was more, but this felt enough for now. He had no words to describe the gift of having spent a night in Dante’s arms after decades of being without him. There were never sufficient words to describe this moment.

He looked into Dante’s curious gaze and smiled.

“You forget,” Tani said. “You singed me at our first meeting, Dante Arturo. I was so stunned that I ended up ankle-deep in marshland when I returned to Elderwood. You ruined a good pair of my favorite shoes.”

Dante grinned, his lips curving in a handsome smile. Tani immediately wanted to kiss him again.

“I promise to get you a pair to replace them,” Dante said, his grin turning into a short chuckle.

Left with no defense, Tani kissed his beloved just to feel Dante’s smile on his lips and then scrambled out of the comfortable bed. Afraid they might linger and not leave at all.

“I’ll wash up first. I can’t believe you have me meeting your parents when we haven’t been on our first date.”

“It is part of my secret plan,” Dante said, making Tani pause at the bedroom door to look at him.

“What secret plan?’

“The plan to seduce you and keep you at Artri,” Dante said. “Before you showed up, I had planned on kidnapping you.”

Tani laughed.

“Does my staying here make me a willing kidnapee?” Tani asked as he opened the door.

“Yes. Elderwood will have to be calling you to hear your voice,” Dante said. “I’m a very invested kidnapper and will entertain you until you forget you have them waiting.”

Tani chuckled and shook his head.

“Entitled warlock,” Tani said as he headed to the bathroom.

“Dazzling Ekho,” Dante called back. “Come back to bed and make out with me all day.”

“Your parents are waiting downstairs,” Tani replied and heard Dante let out a soft sigh.

“They are clearly ruining perfect plans,” Dante complained.

Tani smiled in amusement and closed the bathroom door.

****

Thirty minutes later, they were both showered and dressed for the day. Tani had made friends with Atri, so he was able to teleport to his house for a moment for a change of clothes. He returned just as Dante was emerging from the bedroom.

Dante stopped Tani by the door on their way out. He pressed him against the wall and kissed him making Tani chuckle, and wrap his arms around Dante’s shoulders.

“We should stay in here,” Tani said, raining kisses on Dante’s face. “I love it in your suite of rooms.”

Dante smiled and wrapped his arms around Tani, holding him close. He buried his face into Tani’s shoulder.

“I agree.” Dante squeezed Tani tight, loving the fact that Tani was an Ekho and he seemed to love tight hugs, with no flinch at Dante’s strength. “But we should finish with my parents downstairs. My father must know all about the black weed in the olive grove by now. Mom wants to tell us about the Ekho she meets there.”

Tani rubbed his hands over Dante’s back.

“Dante. Let’s live your day today,” Tani said. “Tomorrow, we can live mine. I have lawyers to meet. Then we can deal with the rest after.”

“Okay,” Dante agreed, pressing a kiss on Tani’s shoulder not making a move to open the door.

Tani rested his chin on Dante’s strong shoulder. He rubbed his hand over Dante’s back, smoothing the pale blue shirt he wore. He liked the color on Dante. It brought out his eyes. Dante’s stomach growled and Tani chuckled.

“Dante.”

“Mm?”

“You’re my beloved and I worry about you very much. We should leave your room so that you can have your morning meal,” Tani whispered into Dante’s ear.

“I’m in love with the way you talk to me,” Dante said.

Tani grinned when Dante let him go and took his right hand.

“Let’s go eat breakfast,” Dante said. “The faster we get through it, the faster we can have time to ourselves.”

Dante opened the door and led Tani out. They went down the stairs and Dante could not help looking back every few steps just to see Tani following him.

“I won’t disappear,” Tani said when they got downstairs and Dante squeezed his hand, making sure to walk right beside him. “I’ve already thrown my lot in with you.”

Dante stopped, bringing Tani’s right hand up to press a kiss on his inner wrist.

“I just…I feel like I need a minute or two hours to process,” Dante said and then squeezed Tani’s hand, a kiss on his inner wrist. “Maybe twenty-four hours, or a few days…”

“Months?” Tani asked, teasing.

“Definitely months,” Dante said. “Years even.”

Tani’s amber eyes gained a gloomy cloud that quickly disappeared. The shadow hidden behind the strange wall Tani was keeping up between them.

Dante could not wait to break it down and discover what brought the shadows into Tani’s eyes. He wanted to obliterate it, replace the shadows with joy.

“Your family fills the kitchen,” Tani said when they continued their walk along the hallway to the kitchen. “Your father doesn’t know I’m here, but your mother and the grandmaster might.”

“Are you nervous?” Dante asked, surprised by the naked note of anxiety in Tani’s voice.

“They are your family. Your closest ones. Of course, I’m nervous. What if they don’t like me for you?” Tani asked, anxious energy filling him as they approached the kitchen.

Dante stopped their progress, brought their clasped hands to his lips, and pressed a kiss on Tani’s knuckles.

“They should worry if you like them,” Dante said and kissed Tani’s right cheek. He clasped Tani’s hand tighter and did not give Tani a chance to think as he opened the kitchen door.

Nora gasped when Dante and Tani walked into the warm kitchen. She sat drinking tea at the island table next to Christophe. Grandmaster Landi sat across them, arranging a salad plate.

They all looked at Dante and Tani when Nora gasped.

Tani tensed as Nora pushed her chair back and got up. Dante squeezed Tani’s hand as she crossed the room to meet them.

“Dante,” Nora said, coming to kiss both his cheeks. “You look very happy this morning. Well rested. So very handsome.”

“Are you saying I wasn’t handsome before?” Dante asked, giving her a scowl, as she let go of him.

“You’re always handsome to me. I am only saying you look even more handsome this morning,” Nora said, turning to Tani. “Do I have you to thank for this change?”

“I can’t take any credit. He got it all from you,” Tani said.

“Aw, I like you very much,” Nora said, leaning in to kiss Tani’s cheek. “What is this?”

She rubbed her thumb over a red spot on Tani’s neck.

“I like kissing Tani,” Dante said, wrapping his arm around Tani’s shoulder, pulling him closer, making his cheeks fill with color.

“Oh, that is the mushiest thing you have ever said near me,” Nora said and held out her hand to Tani. “You’re a miracle to have him announcing he likes you in our kitchen. Come, I’ll introduce you to Dante’s Papa.”

Tani pulled his hand out of Dante’s and took Nora’s in a gentle handshake. She led him to the island table where two men stood looking at him, caught between shock and…surprise?

Tani could not tell.

“Christophe,” Nora said, leading Tani to the younger of the two older men. “This is Tani Ryuzo. He healed the soil in our olive grove. Dante is sweet on him.”

****

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