Page 118 of Becoming D'Vaire
“Do you have a problem with my brother?”
Mac’s lips curved. “Yeah, I think he’s earned a title you haven’t given him. I’d like to officially nominate him to be considered as a duke.”
“You’re the one who bitched at me when we met about how D’Vaire has a ton of dukes for our size,” Aleksander said as he mulled over Mac’s suggestion.
“You don’t need me to tell you how this works. If a dragon walks through the doors and he’s filling a needed role in direct support of his king, then he should be considered. His coloring is unusual but he’s strong. Worth has made himself invaluable since his arrival. He’s put in the financial structure for not only the Dark Indigo office, but for Elven D’Vaire, the Coven of Warlocks, as well as for D’Vaire itself,” Mac replied.
“That’s true. He also set up spreadsheets for me, Noir, Larissa, and Madeline for the different things we do around the house. I know exactly how many plants I have of each type as well as the seed count in my inventory, how much I’ve spent on stuff, and the results of my current experiments,” Dravyn added. “Not to mention Worth’s rule.”
“You could say he saved Dra’Kaedan’s Coven,” Brogan threw in.
“So I guess you guys are in agreement,” Aleksander stated. The three men nodded in response. “Then I guess we need to get him a coronet and a ring of rank made before we crown him in the throne room.”
Dravyn’s gaze fell on the furniture in the room intended for the dukes of their home. It was originally forest green and navy but black was added for Mac. “How’s pink dragonskin going to look in here?”
Aleksander stood. “We’re going to dump that little problem right in Larissa’s lap.”
“That’s why he’s king, folks. He thinks of solutions,” Mac teased as he too rose. They all filed out of the room and Aleksander could hardly believe that a few years before, his family had included six isolated dragons and was now filled with over thirty incredible people. As he thought about the three newest additions, he was in awe that Saura and T’Eirick had not only become D’Vaires but insisted on using his colors to represent them as darkfallen.
As for the third new person to their home, Aleksander was relieved when Delaney met Grigori and even more so that they decided to stay under his roof. The D’Vaires would not be the same without Delaney. Aleksander had been furious when Delaney casually commented that he’d finally earned his name. He sincerely hoped Delaney understood how important he was to all of them. To Aleksander it was as if he’d owned a piece of his heart for much longer than six years. He was still amazed by all he—and Idris—had accomplished in such a short amount of time.
Grigori was another genius who had already changed the world in his young life, and Aleksander liked the quirky vampire as well as the Volkovs. Somehow Aleksander had managed to gain yet another powerful ally in the Council of Sorcery and Shifters. He certainly hadn’t been looking for one and the truth was, he had no use for politics, but Fate didn’t seem to care. The D’Vaire name grew more influential with each passing day, and Aleksander would continue to do his best to ensure that whatever else came their way, they would face it as a family.
* * *
“This is exciting,” Delaney said as the entire D’Vaire clan shuffled into the throne room. Grigori and the others weren’t told why they’d needed to get into their fanciest attire and show up, but no one questioned Aleksander’s orders.
“Okay, but why is this room soblahcompared to the rest of the house?” Grigori whispered close to his ear, so no one overheard him complaining.
Delaney shrugged. “I guess because no one uses it. There were a few mating ceremonies in here, but that’s about it. You know Aleksander’s not into pomp and circumstance. It looks the same as it did six years ago when I got here.”
“Larissa must’ve had an off day or something,” Grigori muttered. Delaney grinned and pulled him down into the chair next to him.
It didn’t take long for the D’Vaires to get settled and when they did, Aleksander spoke. “Ladies and gentlemen of D’Vaire, today we honor a practice as old as dragonkind. Worthington D’Vairedraconis, will you please join me?”
With a confused expression, Worth walked up to stand in front of his older brother.
“Please kneel,” Aleksander ordered.
Worth did as he was told. “This better not be a beheading,” he grumbled as Brogan handed Aleksander a long sword with their family name engraved into its blade.
“Fate has honored you with a dragon of extraordinary color and each day, you find a new way to give to your court. The royal dukes of the Draconis Court of D’Vaire wish you to join their ranks as a trusted advisor and a protector of your people. From this day forward, you will serve this court as Duke Worthington D’Vairedraconis. Will you swear fealty to your king?” Aleksander asked as he tapped each one of his brother’s shoulders with the sword.
“I’m honored Aleksander, but I don’t know the words.”
“Repeat after me. I swear to protect the Draconis Court of D’Vaire and shall raise my sword to protect my king and all the inhabitants of this Court, should it be a just and true fight. I will conduct myself with honor and never stray from the values that govern our people. I vow I will uphold the laws of Emperor Chrysander Draconis and never muddy the reputation of dragons,” Aleksander said each sentence separately and Worth dutifully spoke each one.
Madeline handed Aleksander a coronet made of blue-black with Worth’s one-of-a-kind dragon adorning it and placed it on his head.
“Arise, Your Grace,” he commanded. Aleksander passed him a small box. “Your ring of rank.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Worth responded. It was the first time he’d probably ever said it to not irritate his brother.
“To my dragons, sorcerers, and elves, I give you Duke Worthington D’Vairedraconis,” Aleksander called out.
Grigori let go of Delaney’s hand long enough so they could both clap for Worth, then interlaced their fingers once again.
“I would like to ask for a few more people to join me. Carter D’Vairedraconis, Lex D’Vairedraconis—” Aleksander cut off his own list as he grabbed his brother’s sleeve. “Your Grace, stand over here until I dismiss you.”
