Page 73 of Becoming D'Vaire
“Grigori, he’s going to be thrilled to wear this. Every vampire on the planet is going to know he’s a High Arcanist. Wonderful design,” Alexei remarked.
“I’m so glad you guys like it. I was worried you’d think it wasn’t very vampire-like.”
“Nonsense, every vampire should craft something perfect for their mate, and you’ve certainly done that,” Irina countered.
“So you think Delsaurus is going to like it?”
“Of course he will,” Irina responded. “But you don’t need to ask us that. You likely know better than anyone what he likes.”
“Mating is some scary stuff,” Grigori confessed.
“Yes, it is, but let’s have a toast,” Irina insisted as she handed him a flute of bubbly. “To love and happiness.”
“And absentminded scientists who make announcements without their mates,” Grigori tossed in a moment before he sipped the champagne.
His mother chuckled. “That too but since Del isn’t here, let’s talk. You’ve got two weeks from the time you put this first collar on him before you’re going to need to drink. What’re we going to do to make it safe for both of you?”
“Why overcomplicate it? Start well before you feel thirsty. Drink for a few minutes and set a few timers to stop yourself,” Nikolai stated.
“Seriously, Nikolai…that was my idea,” Grigori complained.
“What, you think you’re the only smart one in this family?”
“Promise me, Grigori, you’ll stop when the alarm goes off. You tend to get so focused on something, you lose track of the world around you. That’s why I didn’t suggest that in the first place,” Irina insisted.
“Mom, Del’s going to be there too. He’s not going to let me just suck him dry. We’ll set at least three alarms and start with just a small taste and work up to a full drink. I was thinking four minutes and go from there.”
“Okay, okay. Del should call if you freak out on him.”
“He will. He won’t be any happier than you if I freak,” Grigori said. It was incredible to think the reason Delaney would be upset was because he loved him. Since their conversation the previous night, he’d floated on a cloud after learning about the wizard’s feelings for him. He was nearly in a state of disbelief that plans for their mating ceremony were underway.
“At least Fate gave you a responsible sorcerer I know I can count on and not some whacko,” Irina remarked.
Grigori smirked. “I’ll be sure and let Delsaurus know you don’t think he’s a whacko.”
“How’d you give him that name anyway?” his brother asked.
“It just popped into my head, but it suits him. He’s a powerful presence who stomps around changing the world with each thunderbolt he shoots.”
“My lord, dinosaurs didn’t shoot thunderbolts,” Charlie argued.
Grigori waved a hand. “That’s why he’s a Delsaurus. Unique among his dinosaurkind. Strong, sexy, and with tons of magic.”
“I can’t say I’ve ever thought of a dinosaur as sexy,” Nikolai countered.
“Well, your mate’s still wandering out on a grassy plane somewhere. Someday you’ll be waltzing into some fancy event just as I did, and there he’ll be in all his Triceratopsness.”
His brother’s brow lifted in much the same way their mothers did—only a thicker more masculine version of grace. “Triceratops?”
“They were mauled by Tyrannosaurus Rexes, you know. Eaten, even.”
“Your brain’s a fascinating place, Grigori,” his brother responded with a chuckle.
“I’m lucky Del’s not-normal like me.”
“The important thing is, you’re both happy,” Alexei said.
“He’s the most incredible person I’ve ever known, and that’s saying a lot—considering you guys are my family,” Grigori told them truthfully. He had not only spent his lifetime loving each of them, he admired and respected them. Grigori was glad Fate gave him someone who was just as fascinating. A man who captured his heart and miraculously loved him back. It was a gift he would forever treasure, and that meant making sure Delaney wanted for nothing. A lofty goal that he intended to achieve.
