While they waited for Taron’s mates and the healer, Wash scrolled through his email, leaning one hip against the couch Taron was sitting on.
“Why does Peri call you Wash?” Taron asked out of nowhere.
Wash looked down at the shapeshifter, who looked a little pale, with pain lines around his eyes. He was probably trying to distract himself. Guilt twisted in Wash’s gut again, and he tucked his phone back in his pocket, crossing his arms over his chest when he admitted, “I prefer it.”
“Why?”
Letting out a sigh, he answered, “Because people used to taunt me when I was younger. They used my first name to do it. I’d rather not think about that every time someone speaks to me.”
Taron went quiet for a long moment, which was rare for him. Wash wanted to enjoy it, but he was also incredibly uncomfortable after admitting that out loud. The only reason he did was because he felt bad that Taron got hurt. If he hadn’t been so unwilling to fly around other people, he would have been fine.
“Taunt you how?” Taron asked incredulously. Almost protectively. Wash felt a twinge of something, almost like warmth, but he brushed it aside, scowling at the wall.
“Hugo the imp, Keebler demon, Hugo the discount demon, a Hu-ge disappointment. You get the idea,” he grumbled.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” Taron finally answered, his voice surprisingly solemn. “If you’d prefer Wash, I’ll call you that from now on. I wouldn’t want to make my friend unhappy.”
Wash considered arguing about the friend thing, they weren’t close. But he always said only his friends called him Wash. Maybe it was time to accept that was what Taron was to him. At least Taron had never said anything unkind. And he tried, Wash would give him that. So instead of arguing, he muttered a quiet, “Thank you,” instead.
Twenty-Six
Peri and Elijah had split up from Alistair and Zephyr again after Elijah was sure Alistair wasn’t hurt during his rock climbing adventure. Peri had questioned how they’d both gotten hurt. Apparently, they’d decided to race and slipped at the same time. It took a few minutes for Elijah to be convinced he could separate from his anchor without worrying he’d do something so silly again.
They were keeping a leisurely pace behind the pair, more focused on enjoying nature and getting to know one another than racing to find the treasure items, when a crack of thunder made them both jump. Peri squeaked and hid behind Elijah automatically, looking around wildly. He hated thunderstorms.
“Weird… There were no storms projected for today,” Elijah murmured.
“There weren’t?” Peri whispered, almost afraid he’d set off a storm just by speaking too loudly.
“No, look. The sky is still blue.” Elijah pointed up, and they both studied the sky together, puzzlement overtaking the fear. Peri was going to suggest going back to the retreat anyway, in case the storm was close, and they just couldn’t see it with the trees in the way, when a thunderbird streaked across the skyoverhead, little zaps of electricity coming off him as he rushed past, heading in the direction of the retreat.
Elijah looked over his shoulder at Peri, worry crossing his face for a second before Alistair spoke somewhere ahead of them. “Relax, Eli. I’m right here.”
Relief swamped Peri’s companion, and he heard Elijah let out a heavy breath. When Elijah moved to Alistair’s side, Peri went with him, still feeling antsy about the thunder. Logically, he knew it was because of Zephyr when he flew past, but he couldn’t describe just how much he hated storms.
“What’s going on? Why’d he leave?” Elijah asked with a frown.
“Zephyr got a text. Taron was hurt. I told him I’d walk back with you so he could go to his mate.”
That made Peri straighten, whipping his head around to face Alistair. “Wash?”
Alistair shook his head. “The message didn’t mention him, but it was sent from his phone, so he’s probably fine.”
Peri glanced at Elijah anxiously, relieved when Elijah waved him off. “Go. We’ll be okay.”
Since Peri could see the worry for his brother, he promised, “I’ll text you when I know more. See you in a minute.”
Worry for Wash made him set aside his fear of lightning, and he flitted off, over the trees and toward the direction Zephyr had flown only a few moments earlier. He pushed his wings to the limit, his feet already moving when he landed in front of the retreat. Thankfully, he didn't have to go far to find his boyfriend. He was leaning against a wall near a small circle of people surrounding a couch, with Taron being fussed over by his mates.
“I swear, a thaisce, I’m fine. It’s not that bad,” Taron attempted to reassure Tony, who hovered like an anxious mother hen.
“You wouldn’t need a healer if you were fine, T,” Zephyr snapped. “What the hell happened?”
“Apparently, I’m not the best at tree climbing,” Taron replied nonchalantly. “Who knew?”
While Tony and Zephyr continued to fuss over Taron, Peri made a beeline for Wash, looking him over anxiously. Wash shook his head before Peri could ask, assuring him, “I’m fine.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Peri quipped, tugging at Wash’s sweatshirt to look underneath. His boyfriend made an attempt to stop him, but Peri wouldn’t be deterred, and when he noticed Wash flinch when his hand ran over his side, Peri shot him an accusing look.