Page 12 of Becoming D'Vaire
“Larissa, he just got here. You’re freaking him out,” Aleksander said.
She patted the cushion next to her. “Have a seat, Delaney. We’ll figure it out. It’s going to be awesome.”
Delaney cautiously did as he was told. He glanced over at Greggory, who was still in rapture in the Grand Warlock Familiar’s lap. Though he’d learned a lot of things in his life, he hadn’t once considered designing a space. He didn’t have a single clue where to begin or what to do if he got it wrong. “I don’t know anything about interior design.”
“You don’t need to. We want a place where you feel comfortable. A sanctuary inside a sanctuary. So, if you don’t like something we pick out, tell us. We’ll find something that suits you better, okay? Gavrael had no clue what he wanted when he got here either. We made it easy on him and designed something that would remind him of his home at the sentinel compound. Right Gavrael?”
“Correct,” Gavrael intoned.
“I always thought having black sheets would be cool,” Delaney confessed.
“Consider it done. Are you opposed to plaid or any other pattern?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I’m thinking something fiercely masculine.”
“He’s going to have a mate someday, keep that in mind,” Dra’Kaedan cautioned as he walked over and sat in Brogan’s lap.
“Delaney, you want us to throw in a feminine edge for your mate?” Larissa asked.
“Well…actually, I’m gay,” Delaney confided.
Larissa clapped her hands. “Perfect! Fiercely masculine it is. When he shows up, if he wants to change anything, we’ll worry about it then. We’ll know he likes black, he’ll be mated to you.”
“You think so?”
“Oh yes, Delaney. He’ll like everything about you. I guarantee it. I mean look at me, my dragon’s orange and I like to spend my time making pajamas out of the craziest fabrics I can find. Both strange things and my mate loves both about me the best.”
“It’s true,” Madeline confirmed. “So you can blame me when she fills your entire room with more pajamas than you can wear in a lifetime.”
“Okay.” Despite their words, it was difficult to imagine someone showing up happy to be mated to the biggest freak in the wizard world, but Delaney kept his gloomy thoughts to himself. He wanted the D’Vaires to like him, and no one was fond of someone who was pessimistic all the time.
“Did you enjoy school?” Gavrael asked.
“I like to learn. I’m looking forward to being able to set my own pace now, though. I get a little bored when I’m not challenged.”
“Have you gotten much chance to spend time with the Prism Wizard?” Dre’Kariston inquired. “We’re really enjoying his company and getting to know him better.”
“I met him when I was four, and he’s always made it a point to visit me regularly. I really like him. I admire him—he works hard but he doesn’t make a big deal about it. I want to be High Arcanist. Not only for myself but to help the Spectra Wizardry, and although he hasn’t mentioned it to me, I know he needs a wizard to ascend before he can accept his color.”
“I was stunned the first time I met him. I couldn’t figure out why he appeared so aged. It was news to me that if a wizard denied their color that would happen,” Dra’Kaedan said.
“As far as I know, he’s the only one like that. At least among Council wizards. Who knows what goes on with all of them within the Consilium Veneficus.”
“How do you feel about that?” Dre’Kariston asked.
“It’s weird. The most powerful of my people have their own form of government on another continent. I know we’re taught to obey Fate, so it must seem crazy to everyone else that the Spectra Wizardry exists. Fate chose the Arch Wizard and he rules the Consilium, but from what I’ve learned, they aren’t fair to their people.”
“Doesn’t seem strange to me. Fate chose Arch Wizard Egidius, but he led his people down a path of cruelty and injustice. Since his death, the new Arch Wizard has continued his policies. There are no real laws, and justice is done on a case-by-case basis. They have pockets of other magickind and shifters within the Consilium, yet they aren’t given a voice. It’s the wizards who get to make all the decisions. It’s quite extraordinary and not in a good way,” Trystan said. “Sorry, I tend to go off on tangents when the subject comes up.”
“Your dad’s the Reverent Knight, I’m sure you get an earful about it all the time,” Aleksander remarked.
“Your dad’s the Reverent Knight?” Delaney asked. Reverent Knight Drystan Kempe ruled over the Order of the Fallen Knights, the men and women who were responsible for policing the Council.
“Yep, the Council required a fallen knight to move into D’Vaire when it was created. My dad’s the leader, but I don’t fit the mold of my people. Well, half of my people. I’m half necromancer. The Arch Lich is awesome but no matter how you look at it, I’m a freak,” Trystan replied.
“Each of us is. I think it’s the best part of being a D’Vaire,” Aleksander stated.
