Page 84 of Becoming D'Vaire
Grigori’s parents walked toward them, each with a small box in their grasp, and his mother had her mating athame as well.
“I’ve had the honor of aiding a great many mating ceremonies in my lifetime,” Irina said. “But none so important as one of my beloved sons preparing for his future with the man he adores. My darling gentlemen, we’ll begin today by attaching your collars.”
Grigori stood still as his mother placed the gold collar around his neck, leaving it open in the front. His father did the same for Delaney.
“Your hands please,” Irina requested. They dutifully did as they were told and lifted them to be cut for one of the many times they would be on this afternoon of combining so many traditions.
As his mother gave him a small wound on his fingertip he said, “Your blood is my gift. I cherish the immortal life I shall have at your side. I vow my eternal love and devotion to you. I give my oath that I shall allow no harm to befall you.” After he was finished, Grigori pressed his sliced digit first to Delaney’s collar and then his own.
“Willingly I offer my blood to nourish you. I cherish the immortal life I shall have at your side. I vow my eternal love and devotion to you. I also give my oath that I shall allow no harm to befall you,” Delaney responded. They’d changed the last line since the words were usually used between a human and a vampire. Traditionally, the human would thank the vamp for his or her protection, but a powerful dark sorcerer certainly wasn’t going to wait for his vampire mate to fight his battles.
Once Delaney added his blood to the locks cleverly hidden behind the design worn at the front of each collar, Grigori latched the wizard’s closed. Delaney reached up and did the same to Grigori’s. The only way to remove the collars was to mix their blood once again over the top of it. The practice had started to mark their humans to offer them safety. It was unlikely someone would harm a human who had a vampire to safeguard them. Though sheltering one’s mate was not as necessary as it once was, Grigori was glad the tradition continued.
Grigori grinned as Charlie walked over with Tigglesworth at his side and Greggory in his arms.
“Grigori thought it would be remiss not to give a vampire collar to Greggory as well. He’s a special friend to Delaney, and they all share their lives together,” Irina informed the crowd as Tigglesworth put the collar around Greggory’s neck. The dragon stretched as much as possible, and Grigori glanced over at his wizard, whose eyes were suspiciously damp.
“We vow to care for you and always make sure you have plenty of cookies. Del and I pledge to protect you and share our immortal lives with you,” Grigori told Greggory, who made a growly sound. Since their tiny wounds had already closed, T’Eirick and Saura approached them. The pair were handed the athame, and Grigori and Delaney were soon able to place a bleeding fingertip on the dragon’s blood lock. After they were done, Delaney leaned forward to kiss Grigori.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
Grigori did not get the opportunity to respond; he was too busy being hugged by his parents. They, along with Tigglesworth, Charlie, the soon to be darkfallen, and the still-preening Greggory, stepped away so the ceremony could continue.
“In the tradition of elven matings, Chieftain Cadlyr Cwylld-D’Vaire and Chieftain Lorcan Acwellan-D’Vaire will offer floral wreaths designed by Duke Dravyn D’Vairedraconis,” Dra’Kaedan stated. Grigori and Delaney bowed their heads to allow the elves to place gorgeous circles of red and black roses on their heads. After they embraced the chieftains, the two men returned to their mates’ sides.
“Gentlemen, please raise your left hands,” Aleksander requested. Grigori did as he was told as did Delaney. He smiled at the wizard because he could not hold the expression back. They were about to get one step closer to being connected at their very souls. Shifting slightly he tried not to think about how they would seal it later with bites.
Nikolai approached him with the same athame his parents used thousands of years ago. It was as beautiful as it was simple; the only decor was the string of roses etched in the hilt. His brother winked, then sliced his palm. He handed the dagger off to Idris who did the same to Delaney.
They pressed their cuts together, and Grigori could feel the shift inside him of having Delaney nearly tied to him. It was both peaceful and exhilarating at the same time. Delaney’s face scrunched a little as he adjusted to his fangs forming. Grigori could hardly wait to see them.
“Vampyr to wizard. High Arcanist to Vampyr Lord. Their souls are now tied, and their lives now linked. May their hearts always stay united, so they will never want another,” Dra’Kaedan said.
“Dragons claim their mates with a bite that leaves no mark. Centuries ago, a draconic tradition began of exchanging rings,” Aleksander stated. “Delaney and Grigori will exchange bands to allow the world to bear witness to their joining.”
Somerly handed Grigori a gorgeous wide ring that bled from red to black and was coated in D’Vaire blue-black on the inside. He slid it onto Delaney’s finger as he said, “Chosen by Fate and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate.”
Brogan passed Delaney a matching band. The wizard gave Grigori’s hand a squeeze, then pushed it on. “Chosen by Fate and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate.”
“By the tradition of the Draconis Court of D’Vaire and the Vampyr Clutch, you are now mates. You have honored all of us by allowing us to bear witness to your joining,” Aleksander said.
Grigori slid off his cloak and gave it to Dre’Kariston as Delaney did the same. After they were both standing there in their sleeveless black shirts, Vadimas and Mac cut across their palms. Delaney lifted his chin as they pressed their hands together and said, “Vampyr to wizard. High Arcanist to Vampyr Lord. Our blood has spilled, and our spirits have bonded. We ask Fate to grant us a mark from left shoulder to elbow so the world may bear witness we belong only to each other.”
A burn worked its way down Grigori’s arm as three beautiful dark-red roses bloomed onto Delaney’s skin. Two of them were large, while the third was hardly more than a bud. He supposed it was him, his mate, and Greggory. As for his own artwork, when the sting disappeared, he saw his wizard in all his glory. Crowned, and looking delicious in his full cloaked regalia, he stood proudly in front of a dark sky with a large thunderbolt crashing down. At his feet was Greggory, complete with his vampire collar.
Delaney crossed the tiny distance that separated them and pulled him down for a very thorough and loving kiss. He heard chuckles around him, but he didn’t care. When his lungs were burning from lack of oxygen and his dick was starting to come to life, he pulled his head away.
“Smile for me,” he demanded.
The amazing grin he loved on his wizard’s face greeted him seconds later, and he smirked back. While his fangs would never reach the size of a vampire’s, they were clearly visible.
“Nice fangs.”
“ ‘Little pressure,’ she said. They stung like a bitch,” Delaney informed him.
From down the line of all the people who took part in their mating ceremony, he heard his mother’s laughter. “Welcome to the Vampyr Clutch,” she managed over her mirth.
“Yeah, thanks. I’m wondering what other doozies are waiting for me,” Delaney retorted.
