Page 23 of Immortal Bonds

With the boxes in his hands, he didn’t have the ability to knock or press a button to signal his arrival. Thankfully, there was a camera at the gate and some guards.

Upon seeing him, they let Creighton in. Their smiles were cordial, almost welcoming. Was he misreading things? Was his paranoia getting the best of him?

The driveway was long, and it was no surprise when Creighton saw a cart heading his way. When the man stopped before him, he looked Creighton over from head to toe, then spotted the boxes. "You are here to see Eden, correct?"

"Yes," Creighton answered, dipping his head and lifting the boxes slightly. The handles on them made it convenient, but they were still cumbersome given how big the animals were. "I'm here to deliver these," he added when the other man didn't speak.

"Yes, I've been made aware. Please climb onto the seat and hold your merchandise carefully. I will take it slow."

Creighton rushed over, not wanting to cause any delay, and got onto the seat as instructed. It only took a second for the man to get the cart going again. They were off and heading towards the front entryway of the castle. Creighton held the boxes tightly and glanced around at the beautiful landscape. It was something out of a fairy tale, truly. He couldn't imagine calling this place home all the time.

How did one ever decide to leave? Why would Eden want to be away from something so magnificent?

His own home, where he'd grown up, had been lavish, but it had also been dark. There was an ominous sort of presence to it that came with his vampire upbringing. They preferred to be mysterious creatures, and any time they could reinforce the stereotype of being formidable, they did.

Dark accents, eerie buildings, and flat-out rudeness were most of what he had encountered in his life.

The man who'd driven him stopped at the front and cut off the engine. "Come with me. I will show you where to go." His voice left no room for argument, so Creighton climbed off and followed behind him.

"I didn't get your name, sir," he said while trying to keep up with the pace of the young dragon. He sensed that this person was a dragon based purely on their size and stature, plus most of the people who worked in the castle were dragons. It just made sense. Eden had mentioned that a few humans also hung around, but that they were very trusted and long-standing staff members.

"My name is Dion. You don't need to know that, though. If something is necessary, one of the Saint family will call me to come help."

Creighton shook his head as he finally fell into step beside Dion. "It's not about having someone to get you. I simply think it's polite to know someone's name. How else could I greet you?"

Dion stopped. He turned to look Creighton in the eye. His stare was even more intense the second time around. "I see why Eden enjoys your company. A good heart is necessary in this world. Remember that."

Creighton shivered the moment Dion turned away. What was with all the ominous chit-chat? He needed to get to Eden and then get out. His anxiety couldn't handle all this back and forth.

They finally reached a grand doorway after walking through the beautiful, gilded halls of the castle. Creighton had admired the various artwork as best he could while also keeping up with the young man beside him. The guy was fast. That much was for sure.

"Here we are," Dion said. "He is inside and waiting for you. Go on in. He'll be happy to see you." Before Creighton could say anything else, Dion was already turned away and leaving.

Creighton paused for a moment, his hands still full, and reached up to knock on the door. Before he could attempt it, Dion returned. "Ah yes, I almost forgot." He turned the knob and pushed the door open. "Your friend is here," he called out loudly. Then he scurried away once more.

Creighton knew supernatural beings were fast. He himself could move quickly when necessary. But the way Dion appeared and disappeared spoke to something else entirely. Like maybe he was more powerful than someone in his position might normally be. It was something he would have to sit with and think about. No way would he mention it to Eden just yet.

Inside the room, he realized why Eden had asked him to come. "Wow," he said softly as he stepped through the door. He bumped it with his hip to close it behind him. Maybe this was a secret area, and Eden didn't want anyone to know.

Or maybe it was soundproofed because no one else wanted to hear him when he was playing. Because that's exactly what the space was. It was a playroom. A playroom that screamed Little space. Creighton wandered deeper into the area and noted all the various toys and pieces that completed the space. It was a dream for someone who regressed. No detail was left out.

"This is amazing," he said out loud, this time not censoring his volume.

"I know, right?" Eden popped up beside him, voice excited and high-pitched.

Creighton, as anyone would do in his position, screamed and threw his hands up. Eden cackled but reached out to catch the boxes before they fell to the ground. Creighton was too busy holding his hand to his chest to notice anything falling.

"You just scared me so bad," Creighton said as tears formed in his eyes.

Eden, who'd been giggling, stopped abruptly. "Oh no, I upset you. I'm sorry. That wasn’t part of the plan."

Creighton bristled for a moment at the word plan. Was all of this some giant ruse? Had he misunderstood Eden's company and friendship? It wouldn't be the first time he'd seen someone and thought they were being nice to him, only to find out later that it was meant to be a joke — one he had not been let in on.

Eden shook his head as if he could read Creighton's mind. "I just mean that my plan was only to scare you a little bit, not to make you cry."

Creighton wiped his eyes, happy to know that this wasn't some evil trick. His anxiety had spiked with the jarring act and was only just now regulating itself. "It's okay," Creighton forced the words out. "Really, it's fine." He didn't want to lose a client and a friend to his pitiful nature.

Eden crossed his arms, or at least attempted to. The boxes clanged together, reminding him that his hands were full. "It's not okay. I did something mean, and you have all the rights in the world to tell me that I'm a big booty head."