Page 67 of Becoming D'Vaire
When he had a mega-pile of bacon, a scant amount of fruit, and a pile of scrambled eggs, Delaney took a seat next to Idris. Grigori was at his side only seconds later and Delaney was rather smug about the idea that he would be there for the rest of their immortal lives. He hopped up to get a cup of coffee for himself and Grigori. Since he was in such a good mood, he didn’t even glare when Duff bumped into him.
“Sorry,” he offered the Kellas cat shifter as he headed back to his table with their drinks. Duff didn’t say anything in return, but Delaney couldn’t have cared less.
They exchanged the usual morning chitchat with everyone until Aleksander carried his dishes to the dishwasher. Delaney reached down and gave Grigori’s thigh a squeeze. “Before you head to your office, Aleksander, is it all right if I talk to everybody for a second?”
“Of course, Del. Go ahead,” Aleksander invited. He strode over and refilled his mug with hot brew, then leaned idly against the counter.
Delaney rose, as did Grigori. After they laced their fingers, Delaney said, “Well, we just wanted everyone to know that Grigori and I have decided to have our matebond ceremony.”
Idris dropped his fork and clapped. “Congratulations,” he enthused with his ever-present bright smile.
“It’s about time,” Dra’Kaedan commented. “The two of you have been wandering around here forever with love shining in your eyes.”
“They’ve only known each other for a couple of weeks,” Duff countered.
“We’re wizards, things happen for us in thunderbolts. One probably struck them the minute they met. It was the same for Mac and me,” Idris remarked as he stood and hugged them both. Aleksander was next, then all the D’Vaires came over and embraced them. It didn’t escape Delaney’s attention that Duff bypassed him for Grigori.
Larissa clasped her hands together. “So, when? When do we get to have your ceremony?”
“We’d like to have it as soon as possible,” Grigori replied.
“What’s the rush?” Duff asked.
“When you find your other half, fall in love, and know you want to be with them for eternity, you’ll understand the desire to have that bond in place as quickly as you can get it,” Dra’Kaedan said.
“How’s next Saturday work? That gives us about a week and a half to plan it,” Aleksander suggested.
“Deal,” Delaney replied.
“Details, details. We need details,” Skeleton Lord Gedeon D’Vaire insisted. “Where should we start?”
“Cake,” Dra’Kaedan demanded.
Grigori turned to Delaney and there was merriment in his pale eyes. The Grand Warlock was about to be handed a monster lie. “I’m sorry, Dra’Kaedan, but I hate cake. I don’t want the stuff anywhere near the eternal promises I’ll make to Delsaurus.”
“Hate cake?” Dra’Kaedan repeated, his face a mask of pure shock. “But it’s so yummy…I can’t even…” The warlock dramatically slid out of his chair and onto the floor where he lay there muttering about all the qualities of cake he liked. He mentioned frosting at least five times.
Brogan grabbed his plate as well as Dra’Kaedan’s, then stepped over the prone body of the Grand Warlock to get to the dishwasher. “So, we’re all assuming it’s going to be here, but is that what you want Grigori?”
“Yes, I want to do it in the garden like Idris and Mac and several other couples have done,” Grigori responded.
“Would you like the Vampyress and your father to officiate the ceremony?” Aleksander asked.
“No, they’ll handle the vampire portion of it, but I was thinking you and Dra’Kaedan could share that duty. You’re king, and he’s in charge of the sanctuary that brought Del here,” Grigori replied.
Dra’Kaedan’s head popped up from the floor. “It’d be an amazing honor for me. Thank you.”
“Would you please get up?” Saura demanded of her son. “My goodness, how old are you anyway?”
“Too old to count,” he retorted as he got back into his chair.
“We don’t know anything about vampire traditions. What will you need for your ceremony?” Noirin asked.
“I’d like to add in as many D’Vaire traditions as possible. As for the vampire portion, we’ll need to exchange collars—you guys call them necklaces. Delsaurus, you won’t get your fancy one until I drink from you, so they’ll be simple like the ones my parents wear. We’ve got some words to say and of course mix our blood,” Grigori explained. “I’d like that to be in addition to whatever is normally done here.”
“It’s a mix of dragon and magickind traditions,” Aleksander remarked. “We’ve done elven when appropriate too.”
“What do you think?” Grigori asked. “I think we should have it all.”
