Page 105 of Becoming D'Vaire
“I know, I sent the note with you. I just didn’t believe it would ever fucking work,” Chander retorted.
Killian the Dwyer’s appearance in the ballroom did not go unnoticed. People split down the middle of the room as he tracked across it. He was headed directly for the D’Vaires.
“He’s a really fucking powerful druid,” Delaney said.
Chander’s head nodded slowly. “At least twice as powerful as the last time I saw him. I wonder if this is the first time he’s left his plants.”
Druids who stayed in touch with living things which were so integral to their magic pool could increase their strength. When Killian the Dwyer arrived in front of them, his eyes—an interesting swirl of earthy brown and green flecked with gold—skimmed over several of their faces. It was strange when they landed on Dravyn’s for nearly a full minute before he returned his attention to Saura and T’Eirick.
“Lichpriestess. Lichpriest. Welcome back to the Council,” Killian the Dwyer said as he lifted his arm from his voluminous forest green cloak to greet them.
Saura grabbed his hand and wrapped both of hers around it. Her blue eyes grew misty. “Killian, thank you. You gave my son’s people dignity. I know it came at a great cost to you, and I’ll be forever in your debt. The gold Fate has put in your eyes is quite incredible and wasn’t there the last time we spoke.”
His jaw clenched, and his lashes fell to his cheeks. “Saura, I should have done more. If I had, maybe—” The words were choked off as he swallowed audibly.
“There was nothing that could’ve changed the course of history,” T’Eirick told him. “The druids would have suffered alongside us. We were glad Chieftain Aniernan and Chieftess Taliya only managed to destroy one race instead of the entire Council. Look around you, and see how everyone has flourished.”
“I’m afraid I cannot agree. Had we banded together, the Coven of Warlocks wouldn’t have been nearly exterminated. I failed you after the ink was barely dry on our alliance. For that you have my apology,” Killian the Dwyer said as he extricated himself from Saura’s grasp. “The Council is going to benefit greatly now that you’ve returned. I’m sorry, I have to go.”
The words were barely out of his mouth before the druid gave one last strange glance at Dravyn, then shimmered out of the room.
“That man has tortured himself for the last six centuries,” Saura declared.
“He was such a good friend. One I miss terribly,” Chander remarked sadly. “We disagreed over his choice to give the leadership of the druids over to his sister. We’ve barely spoken since.”
Saura straightened her spine. “Well, Chand, it looks like we need to devote some time and effort to pulling a druid out of a tree.”
“A really fucking powerful one. I wonder how Aloisa feels about having a brother with more than twice as much as her. She certainly doesn’t have any gold in her eyes,” Chander agreed.
Grigori wondered over the lingering looks between Killian and Dravyn, then shrugged it off. The D’Vaire duke was handsome like the rest of his family. It made sense Killian would notice, but he’d stared at a man who wasn’t gay. Setting that aside, Grigori hoped Saura and Chander were able to get Killian around more. The man was obviously tortured over the past. He was the one to clean up the mess the Cwylld had made, and he’d personally lit every warlock funeral pyre. It could not be easy to scrub away those memories.
“Want to grab some munchies?” Delaney asked, pulling Grigori out of his thoughts.
“Let’s see if we can find any cookies for Greggory.”
“Like he doesn’t eat enough of them,” Delaney remarked as they headed for the food tables. Grigori’s palms were dry, and they would stay that way as long as he focused on the gorgeous man at his side.
Chapter 37
Grigori stood in his bedroom and pulled on his jacket. He was dressed in all black since Delaney would be wearing the same. They were heading to one of his brother’s vampire clubs for the night, and he was trying his best not to get hard at the thought of it. Only a little more than a handful of people were attending.
One of the D’Vaires going with them was Duff, which surprised Grigori. Delaney had confessed that he’d only agreed because it would mean for one night a sentinel wouldn’t have to take time out of his schedule to guard the shifter. Mac would be looking out for them for the evening and along with Idris, they were bringing his brother, Carter.
Nikolai had enough security to ease Mac’s worries, so they decided against anyone else going with them. That delighted Grigori; he wanted to be able to enjoy his time with Delaney and enjoy his reaction to the environment, not focus on entertaining a large group of family. He wanted his face to bloom with color when the aphrodisiac in his drink hit his bloodstream, then make love to him. As if he could hear his thoughts, the door to the bathroom swung open to reveal Delaney.
He was wearing black dragonskin pants that laced up the front and a sweater in the same color. Calling it a sweater was being generous. There were large loops holding it together, but more skin showed than was concealed. The only hints of modesty were two thick stripes of cloth, one across his chest and another over his midsection. With the rubies of his collar twinkling in the light, Grigori didn’t think Delaney had ever looked more delicious while still clothed, which he didn’t hesitate to tell him.
“Thanks, you look good too.”
“Kiss me,” Grigori demanded as he reached for him.
The wizard stepped out of reach and strode toward the door after grabbing one of Grigori’s hands. “Nope, I recognize that look. We won’t ever leave.”
Grigori didn’t argue. Delaney was right, so he allowed himself to be dragged out into the hall. They were met by everyone else who was going out for the night. Idris was dressed similarly to Delaney, only his top was indigo and showed less skin. The other three men were attired like Grigori, but Duff had left off the jacket.
“Ready?” Mac asked. They all assured him they were and within minutes, they were driving off to one of the magical stations the druids used to teleport groups of people around. With three shifters in their group, there was no other way to quickly get to Las Vegas. The warlocks in their family were willing to take them, but no one wanted to disrupt their evenings.
As soon as they arrived at their destination, a druid ported them, and they walked the short distance to Nikolai’s upscale club. The Volkovs wouldn’t be joining them, and Grigori was happy. He didn’t want to get all freaky with Delaney as his parents watched. Anything went with vampires, but it just did not sit well with him. He would find the time to adjust to being at a club with his family at some distant point in the future.
