With supper out of the way, Banyan decided some time away from his family was needed. Not from his uncle and Freyda, but he needed a little distance from his father. Being the son of a King should be somewhat daunting, but for Banyan, it was nothing more than exhausting. When he wasn’t taking care of Sigrid, Asmund was more aloof than Banyan would have believed. He didn’t remember much about his father from before he went to live with Gautum. The male hadn’t spent much time with Banyan, more often than not leaving him in the care of his mother.

Maybe after Banyan had been King for hundreds of years, he would become aloof as well. He couldn’t imagine sending an e-mail for something as important as the crowning of the new King. He didn’t care if it was the twenty-first century and e-mails had replaced written letters; there was still a time for doing things the right way. Banyan had written a letter to Rocky when he put the bar back in her name. He explained his reasons, and now that the war was over, the letter would be delivered. He fully expected her to call him and refuse, but he had a back-up plan.

In the short time Banyan had owned RC’s Tavern, Bridget had run the place by herself. The manager had good business sense, and he had no qualms with giving the place over to her as owner. If Rocky refused to retake ownership, Banyan was willing to sign the papers over to Bridget instead. It wouldn’t be the first time he had fronted the money for someone to open their own establishment, and he doubted it would be the last. Without having a mate or offspring to spend his money on, Banyan saw no problem with sharing the wealth with those he felt deserved a hand up.

After telling Gautum he was going for a drive, Banyan got in the rental car and took off. He had no destination in mind, but it didn’t surprise him when he ended up on a secluded road that led nowhere. Banyan parked and got out, not bothering to lock the vehicle. If anyone else had found this place, there would have been signs of tire tracks, which there had been none. The path he knew as well as the back of his hand was overgrown with spruce trees. He pushed his way between the branches, walking the half mile distance to where a clearing had once been. It, too, was overgrown. Juniper covered the rocks, and willow plants obscured the ground.

In a time long forgotten by his best friend, the side of the mountain had been one of the most magical places Banyan had ever seen. Not because of the way it was nestled between the tall trees or the lack of humans within a fifty-mile radius. It had been special because it was where he and Urijah camped when they wanted to get away from civilization. The two of them would take off on foot, packing enough food for a week. When they knew no humans were around, they would take off running, using their shifter speed to traverse the distance.

Being in their special place was playing tricks on Banyan. He felt a nudge within his beast from Urijah. Having released Uri from their bond, Banyan knew it wasn’t possible to feel him. It was there in the clearing Banyan had mentioned to Urijah he thought they were mates. It was there Urijah had shut him down immediately, thus squelching the dream of them spending their lives together.

It had been a while since Urijah mentioned leaving the area. Sometimes, he would set out by himself, leaving Banyan behind to sulk. Their time in the clearing was nearing its end when Urijah said, “I’m going away tomorrow. I’ve been home for too long, and I need to set out to find my mate.”

“Uri, haven’t you figured it out by now?” Banyan asked gripping his best friend’s hands and linking their fingers together. “I’m your mate.”

Urijah laughed and pulled away, pushing on Banyan’s shoulder. “You’re a male, a daft fool. You cannot be my mate.”

“Don’t you feel it?” Banyan grabbed Uri around the waist, stepping against him so he could feel Banyan’s erection. Urijah rubbed his own hard cock against Banyan’s.

“Oh, I feel it all right, but just because I get hard for ya doesn’t mean anything other than I like the way you look in your breeches.”

“I’m not talking about feeling my cock. I’m talking about what’s in here,” he said, brushing the back of his hand against Uri’s heart. “Tell me your beast doesn’t want mine. Tell me you don’t want me.”

“We cannot be mates. Mates live together. Have offspring. Raise families together. We cannot do that.”

“Don’t you want to live here” – Banyan spread his arms wide, indicating the clearing – “with me? Who says we need offspring?”

“Min mor. She is always going on about her barn having barn.”

“That’s what Dacey, Latham, and Tamas are for. Let them have the next generation.”

“Don’t you want that for yourself?” Uri asked. “Don’t you want to have barn of your own to raise and teach the way våre fedre are teaching us? I do, B. I want that. I want you and I to continue being best friends the way våre fedre are. They’re close, just like us.”

“Not just like us,” Banyan said, gripping Urijah’s hard cock in his hand, stroking it the way he knew Uri liked. Uri moaned, proving Banyan’s point.

“You know what I mean. Hear me now, Banyan Sorensen; we are not mates. Never will be.” Uri removed Banyan’s hand from his crotch and took off running through the woods, leaving Banyan with a throbbing erection and an aching heart.

Banyan had planned to build the two of them a house where they would spend their days lying in bed and their nights lying under the stars. The land Banyan was standing on, as well as thousands of acres surrounding it, was owned by his father. Now, it belonged to Banyan. It was still the perfect place to build a house, especially a small one where Banyan could hide out when the loneliness of being around other mates got to be too much.

He didn’t begrudge his family their relationships. It did Banyan’s heart good to see how Tabor still protected Halina. How Gautum looked at Freyda with so much love regardless that they weren’t mates. How his father only wanted what was best for Sigrid, whether that be a new treatment or traveling during her last days. He wanted that type of relationship for Brynna. Banyan couldn’t understand why some Goyles had been given mates early on, and some had been denied until later in life. His sister was the only female Gargoyle he knew of who wasn’t mated. But if it had happened with her, it was possible there were others out there as well.

The type of house he wanted hadn’t changed over the centuries. He would use the timber from the trees they had to cut down. It was a long way to the nearest lumber mill, but it was what he wanted, and therefore, he would make it happen. Banyan added that to the mental list of things to do once he became King. The first thing would be to hand write thank you notes to everyone who took the time to attend his ceremony. The second was going to be finding an art school for Lawrence. Banyan didn’t need a manservant. He had been taking care of himself for far too long. As far as maintaining the land, he had no problem mowing or running a weed-eater. If he ever found himself too busy, he would hire someone for that.

Marcie, however, was definitely going to have a job for as long as she wanted one. Banyan loved to cook, but there was no way he was cleaning the monstrous house he temporarily called home. After thinking on what Freyda said, Banyan decided he could rule from anywhere. He would split his time between Åsmundnes and Holmesvik until he could convince Brynna to take over their parents’ place. If she decided she didn’t want it either, he would sell it. Or burn it. Or let it rot. All he knew was there was no way he would live there as it was.

When the sky began its transition to twilight, Banyan begrudgingly made his way out of the trees and back to the rental. He was in the mood to run, but he didn’t want to abandon the car, so he drove the distance back to the house.

He didn’t have to walk through the door to hear the commotion coming from inside. Banyan hurried up the front steps and entered the fray. His mother was yelling at Freyda who was holding Gautum by the arms. His uncle was furious, but he was silent. His father was doing his best to placate Sigrid, but it wasn’t working. Banyan let out a whistle that had to hurt all their ears with them being Gargoyle. When the four turned to scowl his way, Banyan pointed at Gautum. “You and Freyda, in the kitchen.” His tone brooked no argument, and the male he had called Far for centuries did as he was told. When they were out of the room, Banyan turned to his parents. “Would you like to tell me what that was about?”

“I won’t have that harlot living in my house,” his mother said, pointing a finger in the direction of the kitchen.

“Excuse me, Momma, but Freyda is not a harlot, and I will not have you speaking about her or to her in such a manner.”

“This is my home. I’ll speak any way I damn well please.”

Asmund gasped, but Banyan continued to eye his mother. “If that is how it’s going to be, we will leave. I will return for the ceremony, but not until then.”

“You would take her side over mine?” Sigrid asked.

“Yes, I would. I know you aren’t feeling well, but that doesn’t give you the right to be hateful to someone you don’t even know.”

Sigrid sat down in a chair and held her head in her hands. Asmund glared at Banyan, but Banyan stood his ground. Freyda didn’t deserve his mother’s testiness. When Sigrid looked up, she asked, “Banyan? When did you come in?”

Banyan let out a deep sigh. “I just got here, Momma. Why don’t you let Pappa take you to your room?”

“Ja. I think that’s a good idea.”

Banyan didn’t bother waiting around. He headed to the kitchen, but there was no one there. He reached out with his senses to determine where his uncle had retreated. It didn’t surprise him to find Gautum and Freyda outside. “Would you like to return home for the next week?” he asked when he stepped out the door.

“No, min sønn. We understand Sigrid is sick,” Freyda answered. It warmed Banyan’s heart to hear Freyda refer to him as hers. Gautum was still angry, but Freyda was soothing him – somewhat.

“I don’t care if she is my sister; I will not allow Sigrid to talk to Freyda that way,” Gautum said, bringing her into his arms. Banyan couldn’t help but stare as his uncle kissed Freyda tenderly. He was thankful Gautum had finally given in to his stubbornness where the female was concerned. It was evident in the way he protected her he cared for her deeply. When they broke apart, Gautum said, “I will leave the decision up to Freyda, but if she is agreeable, we will remain here with you.”

“Of course we’ll stay. I will keep my distance from the Queen when she is out of her room.”

When Banyan kissed Freyda on the cheek, Gautum growled low in his chest. “Seriously?” he joked, softly punching his uncle on the arm. “Wrong equipment, remember?”

The three of them laughed, and the tension eased. “Gautum, do you remember the clearing?”

“Where you and Urijah used to go camping? Ja.”

“I’m going to build a house there. It will be large enough so you and Freyda can visit, but it won’t be anything like this place.”

“If that’s what you want, then that’s what you should do.” As Gautum described the clearing to Freyda in great detail, Banyan cast his eyes to the sky, which was now littered with thousands of stars. He couldn’t help but wonder if Urijah was somewhere doing the same thing.

 

 

Urijah locked up the armory and took his time walking back to his parents’ home. Nostalgia crept in as he made the same steps he had done so many times before, more often than not with Banyan by his side. The two of them were well-known throughout the village, and if ever Uri was by himself, someone would undoubtedly ask where Banyan was. As he reached the driveway, Uri stopped to stare at the sky. It wasn’t only the moon that called to his shifter, but the galaxy beckoned to his soul, so he answered it by taking a moment to gaze at the heavens. It was a night like so many he and Banyan shared over the years. Uri figured the reason he felt drawn to the sky was because Banyan was close, and Uri knew it.

He was more confused than he’d been in a long time. He no longer felt rage when thinking of Banyan and what happened in New Orleans. Upset, yes. Ready to rip Banyan’s head from his shoulders? No. Nor did he blame Banyan for Finley’s death. Finley did what every Gargoyle in the compound set out to do – win the war while protecting his Clan. The others made Uri see how Finley did the honorable thing in stepping between Urijah and the sword of his enemy.

Being in the armory brought forth emotions Uri had no choice but to examine. His father’s words about how he and Gautum had planned to leave the armory to Uri and Banyan wouldn’t go away. As he sat at the desk in the office, he imagined what it would be like working with Banyan every day. He did his best to leave out the part where they went home together every night, but it didn’t work. No matter how hard he tried over the years, Urijah couldn’t forget the way Banyan kissed. The way his eyes darkened when they were touching each other. The moans that escaped when Uri was bringing him to climax. The way he feasted on Urijah’s cock like it was manna from the gods.

They had spent numerous nights together, but never had they gone home together as mates. They had spent many nights in the same bedroom as best friends, but when they were older and began exploring each other’s bodies, Urijah made sure they were far away from their parents. Instead, they slumbered beneath the stars after they had gotten each other off. Uri had tried to convince himself it was nothing more than sex. It almost worked. For hundreds of years, Urijah had been a liar. To himself, his beast, and most of all, to his mate.

Urijah thought back to when Banyan first mentioned being mates. The two of them had planned to spend the weekend in the clearing. It was Urijah’s favorite place to be, because it was their secret haven. A place where he and Banyan could pretend there was no one else in the world but them. They were free to explore, to taste, to feel. To love. Urijah loved Banyan so fiercely it scared him, but what scared him more was his pappa finding out. He loved Banyan too much to have Tabor mad at Banyan and in return Gautum. The two older males were best friends, and what they had rivaled what Uri and Banyan had. When Banyan mentioned the word mate, Urijah had run. Fast and far.

He had been a fool, and now he was going to pay the price.

Uri couldn’t allow himself to dwell on what would never be, but he was hopeful they could somehow get their friendship back on track. That realization had his feet moving him inside to speak with his parents. The invitation was for them, but he doubted he would be turned away if he showed up in Åsmundnes. Familiar scents greeted him when he opened the door. Remaining in Norway would be worth it just to have his mother’s cooking.

His parents were snuggled up on the sofa watching television. His mother smiled when he came in. “Are ya hungry?”

“Ja. And while I’m eating, I would like for you to tell me about Banyan’s coronation.”

Halina got Urijah’s plate out of the oven and set it before him at the table. He sat down to dig in while his mom poured him some tea. He took a big gulp fully expecting it to be unsweetened, but he was pleasantly surprised to find it full of sugar. He smacked his lips and grinned.

“I might have read about your southern way of drinking iced tea in a book, so I thought I would try it. I have to admit, it’s good.”

“Ja, it is,” Tabor agreed. His father was standing against the wall with his arms crossed. “About Banyan’s ceremony, what are ya thinking?”

“I’m thinking I would like to go.” Uri shoveled a bite of food in and savored the flavors while his parents looked at each other and had a silent conversation. “Can the two of you not mind speak?” he asked after he swallowed.

His father said, “We weren’t…” at the same time his mother said, “That’s not…” Urijah leaned his head to the side and raised his eyebrows. “Okay, so maybe we were,” his mother admitted.

Uri set his fork down on the plate and crossed his arms. “Spill it.”

“It’s just… This is a big day for Banyan. The biggest day of his life, since you won’t… Anyway, are ya sure ya want to go? You’re not going to try and sabotage it, are ya?” his father asked.

“Sabotage? Thanks a lot. I might have refused him as my mate, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about him.” Urijah did care about Banyan. More than he had admitted in a long time. The more he thought about the male and their past together, the more he allowed himself to be honest about the way he truly felt. If Uri had known his father wouldn’t oppose them being mates, Urijah would have agreed to it that day in the clearing when Banyan first mentioned it. Now, it was all he could do to keep from wondering if there was still a chance.

“What’s changed?” his mother asked.

“Don’t get your hopes up. I’ve had time to think, and I want to try to get our friendship back on track. Nothing more.”

Liar.

Shut it.

His parents glanced at each other, and after a few seconds, they were both grinning. He knew whatever they were thinking wasn’t going to happen, but he also knew arguing with them was a lost cause. Instead of saying anything else, he picked his fork up and finished his supper.