“I know, but I just thought—”
“I would’ve never let anyone put money in my account if I knew you were simply paying them back,” Tiri shot out.
“Baby, I’m your mate. I should be the one helping you out.”
Tiri folded his arms over his tunic. “I have sold many outfits, I don’t need your money.”
“There’s no reason to be upset, Tiri. I just wanted to make sure you had plenty to buy whatever you wanted.”
“But you knew I didn’t want to be a burden on you.”
“You most certainly aren’t a burden, and you know that. It’s my duty and honor to provide for you. What else do you think I need that money for? Nothing is as important as you.”
“You’re twisting it around. I want us to be equal partners, not you providing everything.”
“Weareequal partners.”
Tiri narrowed his eyes. “Not if you’re paying for everything. That doesn’t make sense.”
“Tiri—”
But his other half wasn’t listening. He turned on one foot and marched into the house, slamming the door behind him.
“If I might offer some advice. Go after him,” Costas said.
Zane stood. “Thanks a lot, I could’ve figured that out for myself.”
With a disgusted glance at his fellow duke, Zane followed Tiri inside. Noirin D’Vairedraconis was cleaning up after their dinner.
“Wow, Tiri’s ticked. What happened out there?” she asked.
“Oh, nothing much…just Tiri finding out I’ve been reimbursing everyone who contributes to his cursing fund,” Zane supplied as he hurried through the kitchen.
“Oh, dear.”
“Exactly.”
There was no time to continue his conversation with Noirin. Zane hustled down the hall and when he arrived at their bedroom, he was glad to find Tiri hadn’t locked him out. He strode into the space and was faced with a furious sprite glaring at him.
“Tiri, I’m sorry.”
“You lied to me.”
“I know, but you were being too stubborn to listen when I told you I had no problem paying for whatever you wanted.”
This was apparently the wrong thing to say, because Tiri let out a shocked gasp. “This is my fault?”
“No one did anything wrong, so no one’s at fault here.”
“Wrong. You didn’t tell the truth. You let me believe I was helping people curb their potty mouths and all the while, you were just putting money into my account after I specifically asked you not to.”
Zane wasn’t sure how to extricate himself from this argument or to calm the irate sprite tapping his small foot, with cheeks flushed with anger. “And I apologized.”
* * *
Tiri was livid at Zane for not just his dishonesty but for the money he’d unwittingly spent on his fabrics. All the hours he’d spent pouring over textiles and waiting for sales, so he didn’t overspend, it was Zane who was funding it the entire time. He didn’t like the idea that he was in any way taking advantage of Zane’s wealth. When they met, Tiri had a toothbrush, pajamas, and a single change of clothes. It was his desire to find a way to come to their relationship as an equal partner who could take care of himself.
He wanted Zane to see him as a competent mate, not some poor sprite who required constant care. For the last few months Chieftain-mate Evlithar Cwylld-D’Vaire had worked with him to build up his company, Tiri’s Textiles, so he could sell his creations. Tiri was doing well with orders, and he always had ideas for new outfits. He’d carefully been tending to his bank account, confident he could soon tell people they no longer had to contribute to the so-called cursing fund.
