Page 103 of Becoming D'Vaire
“No one said this shit was easy,” was all Chander replied.
It took seconds for everyone to get back in position; then they counted down to three once again. Knowing how it would feel to have Idris and Vadimas giving him power helped, and Delaney barely reacted to it the second time around. He shoved everything into Chander, and the Arch Lich chanted the spell.
Speaking faster since he didn’t have to ask for more power, the resurrection of T’Eirick was over in much less time. The result, however, was the same. There was a giant kickback and once again, Delaney found himself smashing his fellow High Arcanists into the wooden floorboards. But he soon found that the new Lichpriest was just as powerful as Saura.
Dre’Kariston’s laughter flowed across the room. “Any clue why we’re smart enough to figure out how to create an entirely new magickind race, but not intelligent enough to cast it while sitting down?”
Dra’Kaedan thought his brother’s words were hilarious and hit the floor—this time in merriment, which made Brogan frown as he stood over him.
“Someone write it down—Del’s heavier than he looks,” Vadimas griped.
Delaney snickered as he once again found himself in Grigori’s embrace. He kissed his fanged smile and freed all the grief the morning had brought. The Darkfallen Court would change the world, and Delaney could not wait to witness the impact T’Eirick and Saura would once again have on the Council of Sorcery and Shifters.
Chapter 36
Grigori slid down the bench to make as much space as possible for the entire D’Vaire clan, who were invited to attend Council session in the Main Assembly Hall. The Emperor wouldn’t tell anyone why, but there was little doubt it had to do with the Darkfallen Court. He allowed everyone to sit out in public view except for T’Eirick and Saura. As for their family, they were relieved that the Emperor was all smiles when he learned what the group of sorcerers did two weeks before.
Since the day of the resurrection, time had passed in a blur. The highlight was a quiet and beautiful ceremony for T’Eirick and Saura. They exchanged blood using the daggers Chander created for the fallen knights to bleed while renewing their vows to one another. When their mating marks became visible, it was apparent Fate had outdone herself.
She put a silver-tinged skull sitting in a lotus flower in the perfect hue of Aleksander’s dragon. Their names were written in script just below the artwork, and Saura had worn a bevy of sleeveless tops since to show it off. They were often V-neck, so everyone could also see the blue-black half-moon trimmed in silver below her collarbone demarking her as a leader. T’Eirick had a matching one and asked for a few tunics to display it. It was a request Elven D’Vaire was only too happy to honor.
“How do you think everyone’s going to react?” Delaney asked him.
“I can’t imagine anyone being angry,” Grigori responded as he took Delaney’s hand. Greggory hopped from the ornate cloak on Delaney’s shoulder to Grigori’s.
“Your parents just walked up to their table, your mom looks gorgeous.”
“I can’t believe she’s waving at me, I feel like a dork waving back,” Grigori complained as he raised his free hand to acknowledge his mother.
Delaney chuckled. “You certainly don’t look like one.”
“You’re the one who looks sexy with your collar peeking through that cloak of yours.”
“Don’t start talking about sexy stuff. I’m already half-hard thinking about going to the vampire club tomorrow,” Delaney whispered close to his ear.
“I’m glad it’s just a couple of us going. I don’t want to feel like I need to focus on anyone but you.”
A light came on above the oversized desk that belonged to the Emperor, and everyone in the room rose to their feet, including Grigori and Delaney.
“Oh, thank goodness,” Delaney muttered.
Grigori grinned. “Afraid we’d make ourselves into a public spectacle?”
Delaney turned to him with wide black eyes. “Yes.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated,” Emperor Chrysander Draconis invited, and the sound of people shuffling into place reverberated throughout the large space. “I must beg your indulgence as I have an additional item to add to our morning’s agenda, and it’s not on the schedule. All of you know our rich history, but please bear with me as I refresh our memories. In the year 1367, Grand Warlock T’Eirick and Grand Summoner Saura of Leolinnia invited the leaders of four races to their castle. When they all arrived, they were asked to band together to benefit all their people. By the end of their stay, the Council of Sorcery was born.
“Not long after, a war broke out and to the detriment of everyone, the Grand Warlock and Grand Summoner perished along with nearly all their people. Another man took up the helm, and for over four hundred years, he devoted himself to growing our government until he handed over the reins to me and I added shifter communities. Arch Lich Chander Daray not only oversaw the Council for all those centuries, but two weeks ago, with the help of some of the most powerful men on the planet, he changed the course of our future.” Chrysander paused for a few seconds as he rose.
“Arch Lich, I’d like to ask you to stand along with Grand Warlock Dra’Kaedan D’Vaire, Grand Summoner Dre’Kariston D’Vaire, Prism Wizard Vadimas Porfyra, High Arcanist Delaney Volkov-D’Vaire, High Arcanist Idris D’Vaire, and Scheredin D’Vaire,” Emperor Chrysander requested.
Delaney released his hold on Grigori, then stood next to Idris.
“These men cast a spell I’m excited to tell you about, but it would be remiss of me not to include the rest of the people who make up Sorcery D’Vaire, who get together to problem-solve. As I call out your name, I’d like you to stand as well. Lich Sentinel Alaric Daray, Grand Warlock Familiar Renny D’Vaire, Grand Summoner Familiar Lucian D’Vaire, Duke Brogan D’Vairedraconis, Duke Macardle D’Vairedraconis, Grand Summoner-mate Somerly D’Vairedraconis, Vampyr Lord Grigori Volkov-D’Vaire, and Brexton D’Vaire.”
Grigori got up, and Delaney interlaced their fingers as everyone stared at them. He did his best not to allow it to make him nervous.
“I guess the Emperor went ahead and named us,” Delaney whispered, not sounding at all displeased.
