Page 115 of No Ordinary Drakeling
“Damn, youaretoo good for me.”
“You are the one who cannot forgive yourself for making mistakes, not me.”
“If I promise to try, will you at least consider the idea of being resurrected?”
“I did not say I was opposed. I never thought of it. I was so convinced I would embrace my dragon and that was all I needed to do. But what if you are the one who has been right? What if I can see myself flying because Sorcery D’Vaire has the ability to bring me back with my beast intact?”
“I’ve got to say I’m glad that no matter what, you want to fly as a dragon.”
“I have dreamed of it since I was ten, and my mother told me I had a beast inside me.”
“They have created spells to do that. All they have to do is figure out the elf part, and I can’t imagine it’s that hard. I want you with your full memory. I don’t want anything about your personality to change.”
“I do not know…it would be nicer to have more courage, so I could handle being an emperor.”
“That’s already inside you. You’ll embrace it when you’re sure of yourself. You still have a mountain of new things to adjust to. Give yourself time. Time you’d have if you let them bring you back.”
“Your Majesty, are you using your powers of persuasion on me?”
Chrysander kissed him long and deep. “Is it working? Because I can take you to bed too.”
“I better be the only one you take to bed.”
“Now there’s something you never have to worry about. I mean really, Ell. Where would I get the energy?”
Ellery chuckled. He couldn’t help that Chrysander made him insatiable. “If you were not so good in bed, I would not want it constantly. Which brings up an interesting question.”
“Which one is that?”
“How would you handle having sex with a dead guy?”
“I figure if Chand does it every night, it can’t be all bad.”
He laughed so hard, Ellery had to lay his head on Chrysander’s shoulder. “Oh, the love between Chander and Alaric is so strong, it is impossible not to see it. I doubt either one of them has ever been bothered that Alaric has lived before.”
“They are incredibly happy.”
“Hmm, yes. It is enviable.”
“I want that. I want that with you. Not the next you when Fate gives you back. I want my Ell.”
“I just wanted to shift on Saturday and everything be okay.”
“Sweetheart, I wish I could see that as a possibility. I just can’t. And I don’t want to lose you. I really don’t. You’re incredible in ways you don’t even realize yet. I envy your grace and your spirit. I want to learn everything there is to know of you. I want to own your heart and have you fully conquer mine. I want to be one of those couples who can exchange no more than a glance to communicate. When your face goes blank, I want to know why you’re overwhelmed not just that you are. I want everything with you.”
Ellery steepled his fingers over his mouth as he tried not to weep. “I want those things too.”
“Then please help me find a way to have you in my life after Saturday. Please, Ell. I beg you.”
“Okay. Okay, Chrys. Let’s talk to Sorcery D’Vaire.”
Chrysander pulled him against his chest and smoothed his hands down his back. He kissed the hoops Fate put in his ear. “Thank you.”
