Tentacle on 34th Street (Tinsel and Tentacles 2.0)

Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

B utterflies circled in his stomach as Alex walked down the entry ramp of the ship onto his first alien world. His father’s world. They were in a hangar of sorts, massive in size, with dozens of ships being loaded and offloaded. Alex didn’t know what to look at first. Some of the ships looked like the one they’d traveled on or similar. Others were more fantastic, and he wasn’t quite sure how they’d even be able to fly. The workers—in human and various states of alien shift—stopped to stare at him in avid curiosity as he walked between Cryss and Qylar.

He held tight to Cryss’s hand.

“Why are they staring? I look just like you guys when you’re in human form,” Alex said.

“They’re probably looking at Cryss,” Qylar said. “He ran off with Krythar’s ship three years ago after his fifth failed engagement. Most called him cursed before that.”

“Ah.” Alex lifted his gaze to peek and noticed Cryss’s jaw was tense. The man glanced down at him and offered a small smile and squeezed his hand, but Alex sensed the strain behind it.

“Though, you are a bit short for a Nefyrian. That might attract a bit of attention,” Qylar added.

“Great,” Alex murmured.

Once they departed the enormous hangar, they stepped out into the sun. Suns, rather. There was one that looked similar to Earth’s sun only richer orange and another, smaller blue one that hung just in front of it. The sky was a rich blue, almost too blue, leaning toward purple, with massive, billowy powder blue and white clouds. Large balloon-like shapes hung in the air that looked more like floating water rose above in bright aqua.

“What are those?” Alex asked, pointing to the balloons.

“Our version of human water towers,” Cryss replied.

Alex stared, unsure how the water was stored like that or how they’d get it back down. Everywhere he looked, a million thoughts popped in his head, but he kept them to himself. Cryss didn’t need his child-like battery of questions at that moment. He could save them for later, after they’d faced his father.

Around them was a thoroughfare of sorts, with what appeared to be shops and restaurants, but their construction mimicked the flow of water. Rich shades of blue, from pastel to deep indigo, was the prevailing color in most, with lots of platinum and white. Water was everywhere. From the many fountains and rivers cutting through the extra-wide walkway to the open, shallow pools in courtyards. Instead of green spaces and trees, they had water in various forms. Children played in some of them, kicking and splashing.

Alex was awe-struck by its beauty and alienness—yet there was also a sense of the familiar. It felt as if he were walking through an alien-themed outdoor mall or theme park, especially with so many human-looking people milling about. Alex noticed most men he’d seen wore some version of a skirt or dress—from kilt-like to robe—in various lengths.

“Nice to see that fashion’s gender norms haven’t followed me here from Earth,” Alex murmured.

“Pants are a rarity for either gender,” Cryss replied. “It impedes shifting into tentacles when needed. Most wear some version of a robe that gives us mobility.”

As they traveled through the urban area, many stopped to stare, whispering behind their hands. It was hard for Alex not to feel those eyes on him. He knew he didn’t belong. Yet he did. Half of him belonged to that world. Remembering that, he lifted his chin a bit higher. He quickly realized Qylar was right. The majority of those stares were directed at Cryss.

“If pants aren’t the norm, maybe they’re staring at three men in them,” Alex wondered aloud. “I’ve seen so few.”

“He might not be wrong,” Qylar said to Cryss. “After three years on Earth, I didn’t even think of finding us a change of clothing before we left the ship.”

“Let them stare,” Cryss grumbled. “I don’t care.”

After several blocks, they turned a corner and he saw a glittering, silver and platinum palace. The soaring towers, buildings, and spires were slightly reminiscent of tentacles, rounded and tapering toward the tops. In the center was a massive fountain of sorts, but Alex realized it wasn’t a fountain as they neared. It was a collection of massive, swirling circles of water that had to stand three or four stories high. A massive pool sat in front, and there were floating curves from that to the swirling circles—pathways of water. Other curving pathways, in metal, mimicked the water ones.

They strode up to the gates, and Cryss had them pause as he approached the guards.

“Will they just let us in?” Alex asked Qylar.

“Cryss has a contract with the king, so I don’t see why they wouldn’t,” Qylar said, his head on swivel.

“What are you looking for?”

“Known spies of Cryss’s parents,” Qylar murmured. “Though news will travel fast enough without them.”

“Do you expect them to act?” Alex asked.

“They might assume he’s here to negotiate his way out of the contract. I expect they’ll show up to ensure he doesn’t.”

“How long does he have?”

“A day. Maybe two at best,” Qylar murmured, still searching the surrounds.

“So we have that long to convince my birth father to let me be the one to fulfill that contract,” Alex said, swallowing the lump in his throat. “Considering he abandoned me on Earth, that might be a hard sell.”

“We don’t know all the circumstances. Don’t assume the worst,” Qylar said.

“Assuming the worst is easier than getting your hopes up only to have them dashed,” Alex replied.

“The universe brought you together for a reason,” Qylar said, finally meeting his gaze. “You, a human Cryss stumbled across and fell in love with, just so happens to be part of our world and one who could fulfill the contract forced upon him. Have faith fate will guide you two further.”

Alex sighed, refusing to have too much hope. Less than three months earlier, before he’d ever met Cryss, he’d lived a mundane, boring life on Earth. He’d been shown a much larger universe and wasn’t ready to give that up or give up the man who’d opened his eyes to it. Alex’s gaze landed on Cryss’s tense shoulders, and he realized Cryss was the beating heart of it all. Cryss was his world, his home. That’s why he felt that way. No matter where they were in space or time, as long as they were together, all would be well.

That was worth fighting to hold on to.

Cryss turned, the gates opening and beckoning them to enter. As Alex approached, Cryss grasped his hand and led them toward the inner gates of the palace.

They stepped on the water pathway, and Alex came to a stop. “I won’t fall through, right?”

Cryss smiled. “I’ve got you.”

Alex nodded and placed one foot on the water and felt the current slightly propel him forward. He scoffed, stunned. There seemed to be no structure underneath. No support beams. Nothing but water. They strode up and entered one of the circles of water. An entrance. Inside, sunlight through the swirling water danced along the titanium walls and contained sweeping pathways that mirrored those outside.

A man approached, wearing a suit much like the one Tig had been wearing—similar to a business suit with no opening or tie at the front. A white band under the collar hinted at a shirt underneath, but there were no pants, only a robe-like bottom.

“If you’ll follow me, please? King Krythar has asked me to take you to his study.”

When all three of them stepped forward, he lifted a hand.

“Your steward can remain here to wait.”

Alex flicked his gaze to Qylar, who looked as if he could kill, and then to Cryss, who stared at his friend in sympathy.

“We won’t be long, Q,” Cryss murmured, squeezing Qylar’s arm.

Qylar silently nodded, jaw tight and eyes narrowed.

Cryss gathered Alex’s hand and led him forward. They were soon in the king’s study. Alex paced back and forth as Cryss watched.

“Is there anything else I should know before he arrives?” Alex asked Cryss. He’d already gotten the basic info on his biological father while traveling there, but he worried he wasn’t prepared to face the man.

“Yes. Remember to breathe,” Cryss murmured, reaching for his hand. He drew Alex onto his lap. Caressing his face, Cryss laid a gentle kiss. “How’s the anxiety? Are you okay?”

Alex nodded.

Cryss stroked his face, barely tracing his fingertips over Alex’s flesh. “If you feel the panic rising, squeeze my hand. Hard, okay? I’ll talk you through and calm you down.”

Alex closed his eyes. “Thank you.”

The door to the study opened and an older man, near the size of Cryss, burst through. Alex rose, turning to face him. The door closed behind him as he stood near the doorway, staring, wide-eyed. Suddenly, he rushed forward and wrapped his arms around Alex in a bear hug. He was lifted off his feet by the hug, startled. When he was set back down, he gazed at who he assumed was his biological father.

“Alizand,” the man said, smiling with tears glittering in his eyes. “I hoped you’d find your way home to me one day.” He searched Alex’s face. “I almost can’t believe you’re here.” He hugged Alex again before spinning to Cryss. “And I have you to thank for his homecoming, Cryssxian. Well done.”

Well done? Alex turned to Cryss, who wore a look of confusion. Cryss’s gaze whipped to his.

“Please, take a seat,” Krythar said, waving a hand before taking one of his own.

Alex sat down beside Cryss and met the man’s gaze. I have his eyes.

“I see you’re both looking a bit confused. I assume your mother finally told you of your true parentage, Alizand?”

“Alex,” he corrected. “She told me some. Not enough, not that I gave her much time to. My head was spinning learning I’d been lied to my entire life.”

“I warned her that wouldn’t work out in the end— Alex.”

“Perhaps if you’d not abandoned me on Earth after taking my siblings away, I would’ve known who I was sooner,” Alex said, sliding his hand into Cryss’s.

Their clasped hands didn’t go unnoticed by Krythar. He gave them a pointed gaze before lifting it. “It wasn’t my idea to leave you behind for long, Aliza— Alex. I’m not sure what she’s told you, but I loved your mother very much. When she learned she was pregnant, I returned home, begging my parents to allow us to wed—but they refused. Not long after I arrived back on Earth, she gave birth to you four. Your three siblings were born of my kind. Fragile at birth. I attempted to create something of a small spawning ground there, but the waters did not sustain them. I tried everything I could think of, but they were dying. I knew I needed to bring them here for their survival. She begged me not to, but it was the only way. You were not like your siblings. You appeared fully human, so I left you there as a measure of peace for your mother. She wasn’t losing all of her babies at once.

“Days after I placed them in the spawning grounds, war broke out. The lands to our north were invaded, and my father was assassinated. I was crowned and suddenly tasked with leading a war I never wished to fight.” Krythar eyed Cryss. “Against Cryssxian’s grandfather.”

Cryss stiffened, cracking his neck—which he seemed to do when uncomfortable.

“Once the fighting was over, four years had passed. I returned to Earth to find the woman I loved married to another and pregnant with his child. Angry, I tried to take you with me, but she convinced me that Earth was the only world you knew, and it would be cruel of me to take you away. She demanded her other children back—but they were still among those in the spawning grounds, and I couldn’t make her understand that. Ultimately, I made her a promise that you would be raised on Earth and our other children here. I feared your inability to shift might make your life here harder, so perhaps you were in the best, safest place there with your mother and Ray.”

Alex frowned. While that sounded logical, his emotions weren’t feeling logical. He felt robbed of a life on both worlds, of knowing who he really was. “That didn’t mean you couldn’t have come on occasion and shared who I was and who you were.”

“Ruling a nation makes interstellar travel difficult. Between the constant needs of my people and the politics and machinations of those who wish to claim control, I haven’t even left the borders of my realm in at least a decade. Coming to collect you and your mother was the last time I left the planet.” He smiled tightly. “I wish I could’ve come and seen you grow into a man and been a part of your life, Alizand. But I was always watching. I had scouts who traveled to Earth often to check in on you and your family.” Krythar rose and crossed the room, opening a drawer and lifting out a book. He returned to Alex and handed it over.

Alex opened it and found photos of himself. Some from school. Others that looked as if they’d been captured without notice. Clippings from his time on his high school newspaper and the art show he’d won. Photos from a distance at both his graduations. He lifted his gaze to Krythar and closed the book.

“I never stopped worrying about my son on Earth. You were so far away and so much could go wrong—and I’d never be there to protect you. I had to make sure there were others in place who could,” Krythar said. He reached for something under a large book on the table beside him.

A copy of Out magazine from Earth. He flipped a few pages and turned it to face Alex.

“Imagine my shock when my spies sent me this and I see my son in the arms of Cryssxian of Kreegl splashed across these pages.” He closed the magazine and eyed Cryss. “And I had to wonder if you’d learned of his existence and sought him out to hurt me. As some kind of retribution for your grandfather—or the failed betrothal, perhaps?”

“I only learned he was your son when he did,” Cryss replied. “Yesterday.”

Krythar searched Cryss’s face. “Fortunately for you, my spies also informed me that either you were an incredible actor or that you were near obsessed with my boy. From the short time you were here waiting to wed my other son, I found you quite incapable of hiding your emotions, so I assumed the latter.”

“I love Alex,” Cryss said. “I had no idea who he was when I met him. As you say, he appears fully human—I’m still reeling with the knowledge that he’s your son.”

“And I assume you’re here in hopes a marriage to him will satisfy this contract of ours that your father continues to pursue?”

“In all honesty?” Cryss said. “When I heard what my parents were planning, I decided I’d not return to Nefyria. Ignore it. I told Alex as much. I love him, and I wasn’t going to leave him. We’re here because Alex wanted to meet his father. Nothing more.”

Krythar lifted his chin, his gaze moving between them.

“Actually, that’s not true,” Alex said, turning to Cryss.

“No?” Krythar asked.

“I want to marry Cryss. I want your blessing so the contract’s fulfilled and his family leaves him alone. Then we can return to Earth,” Alex said.

“Alex,” Cryss murmured. “I heard you say you weren’t ready for marriage yet. We haven’t had enough time together for you to be ready. I won’t force you into this before you have the time to truly choose what you want.”

“I want you!” Alex spat. “I want you in my life, and I won’t let them take you away from me. If I have to marry you to ensure that, then so be it.” A blast of heat hit Alex, and he fanned his face, the burning sensation returned. “Not again.”

Cryss slid out of his seat and stood before him, blocking his view of Krythar. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the spray he’d used the day before. “Open.”

“What is that?” Alex demanded on heated whisper. “What’s wrong with me?”

“Yes, Cryssxian. What is that?” Krythar said, leaning to the side of Cryss’s arm. “Are you trying to hide something from me?”

Cryss closed his eyes and shook his head. When he reopened them, he met Alex’s stare. “Open your mouth. This will help.”

“Help what?” Alex demanded.

“Judging from the medication in Cryssxian’s hand, you’re having what’s called a heat spike,” Krythar answered. “It sometimes happens in the first days of the hormone rush.”

Alex narrowed his eyes. “What’s a hormone rush?”

“It’s nothing to worry about,” Cryss murmured. “We can talk about it later.”

Alex frowned before another pulse of heat hit his body. “What’s wrong with me?”

“I didn’t know you were Nefyrian when we… played,” Cryss whispered.

Alex didn’t understand at first… and then realization hit. “The eggs?”

Cryss nodded slowly. “It appears one took.”

Numb shock washed over Alex for a few seconds, but as another wave of heat hit and he fanned his face, he opened his mouth to the medicine in Cryss’s hand. “Make it stop.”

Cryss sprayed the medication over his tongue and dabbed at the bit of perspiration on Alex’s forehead with his sleeve. He met Alex’s gaze, sadness in his eyes, before whispering, “I’m sorry.”

“You knew yesterday, didn’t you? You should’ve told me.”

“We’d just learned you were half Nefyrian, and you were in shock. I wasn’t going to add another on top of it. I had every intention of telling you. In a few days. Once you’d had a chance to digest everything you’d learned.”

“Cryssxian?”

Cryss turned to eye Krythar.

“Please. Sit,” Krythar murmured.

Cryss moved back into his seat and sought Alex’s hand. Alex allowed it, even though he was upset Cryss had withheld information he had every right to know.

“It’s clear to me that my son wishes to wed you. He’s also carrying your egg.” Krythar smiled. “While I had no plans to hunt you down to enforce our contract—learning this has altered my position. I’m within my rights to demand you fulfill it. Do I need to use force to make you wed Alizand?”

“I wish to marry him, too,” Cryss said. His gaze flipped to Alex. “But only if he’s sure this is what he wants.”

“It is,” Alex murmured. “How many times do I have to tell you that?”

Cryss smiled, squeezing Alex’s hand. He brought it to his lips and pressed a kiss on the back of Alex’s hand. “I love you.”

Alex smiled. “I love you.”

“Then a royal wedding we shall have,” Krythar said, smiling. “Though, we’ll need to have him anointed in the spawning grounds and presented at court, first.”

“Anointed in the spawning grounds?” Alex asked.

“All Nefyrian children are raised there for their first five years,” Krythar said. “You never had that. You’ll need to wade in, dunk your head under, and rise anointed, after we get approval from the guardians. Then we can present you in court as my son and Prince of Qlr.”

Prince? It seemed to unreal. “How long is all this going to take?” Alex asked.

“Are you in a rush?” Krythar asked, an amused smile on his face.

“Well, I am supposed to return to work in a week.”

Cryss chuckled.

“I’m not going back, am I?” Alex suddenly realized. He eyed Cryss.

Cryss frowned. “Once you begin to show, it could become dangerous for you and our child on Earth. Once they’re born, we can probably return.”

Probably. Alex scrubbed his face with both hands. His entire life had combusted in a matter of a few months.

Krythar rose. “I sense the two of you need a moment. I’ll go instruct the staff to prepare rooms for you.”

“Room,” Cryss murmured. “He sleeps with me so I know he’s protected.”

“You’ve not yet began the marriage ceremonies,” Krythar murmured.

Cryss lifted Alex’s arm and pulled back his sleeve.

One of Krythar’s brows rose. He sighed and shook his head before walking out.

Cryss slid onto the floor and knelt at Alex’s feet. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the baby sooner. As I said… I wanted to give you a few days to digest what you learned yesterday.”

“I understand why you waited, and I can appreciate not wanting to overburden me with bad news. I just… I don’t want more secrets between us.”

Cryss winced. “You’ve already voiced that you didn’t want to get pregnant. If I’d known you were half Nefyrian I would’ve been more careful with our egg play. We have choices if you don’t want this child. It would allow you to return to work once we were wed and returned to San Francisco.”

“Do you not want it?”

Cryss’s jaw tensed. “I want what you want. Whatever is best for you.”

“Oh, Krythar’s right about you not being able to hide your true feelings, isn’t he?”

Cryss rolled his eyes, sighing before he returned his gaze. “I love you. I want you happy. If not having this child and returning to the normalcy of your old life is what you need right now, then I will ensure you have that.”

“Do you not want it?” Alex asked again.

Cryss clenched his jaw. “My feelings don’t matter.”

“Yes, they do.”

Cryss shook his head.

“Do you not want it?”

“Of course I want it,” Cryss whispered hotly. “Accident or no, it’s our child. But you come first. Your needs come first. They always will.”

Alex searched Cryss’s face. “I don’t know what I want and need right now—besides you. I’m mourning the complete and utter destruction of the life I had. I barely remember who I was before. And now I can’t return to the people and places I know.” Alex sighed. “Everything’s gone.”

Cryss winced. “And I caused it all. I’m sorry.”

Alex eyed him. “I’ve also gained a whole new universe of possibilities. I’m a child of two planets and maybe that old life just wasn’t the one I was meant to live. While I would’ve preferred to hold on to something of mine—at least for a little while until I could stop my head from spinning—I can’t ignore the fact that I’m forever changed. By you and learning the truth about myself.” He placed a hand on his stomach. “Accident or not, this is our child.” Alex lifted his gaze. “They will know both worlds. No lies. No deceptions. They are a child of Earth and Nefyria.”

Cryss smiled softly. “I enthusiastically agree.”

“Rushing here to meet biodad was likely a mistake. I need to contact Anthony and resign. Figure out what to do with the apartment and Ethan… oh god, Ethan probably thinks you’ve abducted me.”

“How about this? If Krythar can speed up the anointment and presentation, we can announce our betrothal and return to Earth to welcome in the new year together. We can take care of all your loose ends and get out of there before you begin to show. Then we come back to Nefyria, plan our ceremonies, allow you to get to know your biodad and this other world you belong to, and prepare to welcome our child.”

“I like that plan,” Alex murmured.

Cryss smiled and leaned in for a kiss.

The office door opened, and a crowd raced inside the room. Two men and a woman his age stood a few feet away, wide eyed and breathless—and Alex immediately knew they were his siblings.

“Alizand?” the woman asked.

Alex rose and nodded.

All three raced forward and wrapped him in a tight embrace. Alex gasped. He could suddenly hear all of their many thoughts racing inside his head. Their excitement to meet him, their longing to meet their mother, how much they’d missed him growing up. He could even see bits and pieces of them growing up on Nefyria—the childhood he’d missed out on. He only wished he’d known of their existence. He could’ve been allowed to miss them, too.

He spent the rest of the afternoon getting to know Leez, Aken, and Zorim. They gave him, Cryss, and Qylar a tour of the palace before a plan to return with Alex to Earth to meet their mother and half-brother was made.

Later, when he and Cryss were alone in their elegant suite in the palace, they celebrated their new life together. He straddled his fiancé’s hips and sank onto Cryss’s cock, riding hard until he screamed loud enough to awaken the whole palace with his pleasure. After, he curled into Cryss’s embrace, drifting off to sleep, dreaming of weddings and babies.