Page 36 of Legends and Longing

I could feel his stress through the bond, but it was not at what I had begun to associate as his unmanageable level. He simply closed his eyes and took a deep breath before slowly reaching out and placing one hand on my knee.

He’d touched me.

He also reached out with his other and patted the empty space beside him for Raxius, but he’d reached out to me first. Still, I knew he would like both of us around him, so I was patient as Raxius sat and slowly inched closer until their knees were touching as well.

Yes.

I had to remember they were mates and it was perfectly reasonable that Shiloh would find pleasure in being surrounded by both of us.

Yes.

I would be a patient and understanding mate…no matter how frustrating Raxius was.

Chapter 11

Raxius

I was not as dumb as Zorin seemed to think I was, but he might’ve been as oblivious as I’d always thought he was.

My Earth mate on the other hand was smart and could talk about practical issue as well as about other people’s needs…but still not his own.

“Even humans with two partners like being held by them both at the same time.” Shiloh’s words were about others but his desire was about himself. “It’s probably an instinct for most people but I’ve met people who don’t like to be touched.”

Was he requesting information?

Giving random facts to make himself more comfortable?

“I have never spent a lot of time touching others, but I have no objection to being as close as you would like.” I was doing my best to be as neutral as possible with my words, but Shiloh went very still again.

Even Zorin looked like he wanted to frown and some kind of frustrated curiosity came through the bond.

“We…” Taking another careful breath, Shiloh was still hiding behind closed eyes but he was doing his best to speak. “We should take turns with who gets to be in the middle. You…you guys need a chance to be cuddled too. That’s an important part of being mates.”

What?

He wanted us to take turns?

“Let’s time it for…oh…um I was told you guys have a slightly longer day so let’s say a couple of your minutes. That’s probably long enough to figure out if you like it.” Shiloh’s face scrunched up. “I don’t remember if anyone told me a better word to use for short units of time. I didn’t do a talk about time or anything like that yet.”

“We understand that concept.” Reaching up, I ran my hand over his head to stop the flow of confusing facts. “Once our mages understand how the translation spell worked in a practical way, we’ll be able to see if it’s safe to give you our language as well.”

Barely nodding, Shiloh took in a breath and then let it out slowly like the timing or style meant something to him. “That’ll be weird but probably good in the long run. We…we haven’t talked about that yet but…but well…”

Zorin moved his hand to stroke our mate’s neck before I could decide how stressed Shiloh had become. “We have many options, and while I cannot talk for Raxius because he is stubborn, I would like to see your world.”

I made a grumbling sound I thought was correct and got a giggle from Shiloh. “I’m starting to think you’re looking for a reaction from our more serious mate.”

Making an Earth sound that indicated his disagreement, Zorin continued to pet Shiloh. “We should have a discussion about where you will take us on Earth. I have already begun making a list of places to visit based upon my conversations with the people of Earth.”

Making a happy sound, Shiloh peeked his eyes open. “Nope, I’m not going to let you change the subject. That’s my job.”

Pausing for a moment, Zorin performed the huff sound and rolled his eyes. “No. Your job is to look sweet and worry.”

Making what I thought was a groan that was supposed to be dramatic, Shiloh slouched back on the couch and pouted. “I really don’t like how accurate that is.”

Was his current behavior better or worse than being overwhelmed into silence?

“You are the one who said we must have honesty between mates.” Zorin shrugged but did not look repentant. “I was honest.”