Page 124 of No Ordinary Drakeling
“Thank you, Jeremiah.”
“It’s absolutely been my pleasure to work with you.”
“I have enjoyed your company and insight. Should we see if the photographer is here yet? I am ready to get this going.”
“Sure.”
With Jeremiah falling into step alongside him, Ellery made the trip to the deck. He was surprised to see an elf standing there in ripped jeans, a tank top, and his blond hair with cobalt at the tips pulled into a braid under a backward baseball cap. All down his exposed arms were tattoos in black ink. This elf had taken every elven tradition and burned it to the ground. When he turned to Ellery, he gave him a wide smile.
“Emperor Ellery Draconis, allow me to introduce Teverild. He’ll be photographing you today,” Damian said as soon as Ellery was close enough to greet the new addition.
“Teverild, it is nice to meet you. The artwork on your arms is beautiful,” Ellery offered. The images ranged from exquisite flowers to skulls.
“Thanks, Your Majesty. I thought we could take a couple of shots of you alone and with His Majesty in the memorial garden. It’s a perfect backdrop,” Teverild suggested.
“You can call me Ellery, and that sounds wonderful.”
Chrysander took his hand, and they followed Teverild to the desired spot. It took little time for Teverild to start snapping shots, and he kept up a steady stream of instructions and compliments.
“I think I’ve got what I need until after your shift,” Teverild said after glancing down at the view screen on his camera. “I’m going to head into the house. Just holler when you need me again.”
“Thanks again, Teverild,” Ellery replied, and the photographer took off like a shot.
“He was unexpected,” Chrysander commented.
“Nothing about him was traditionally elven, but I liked his looks.”
“That’s not true.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, he inked his skin and doesn’t worry about elven modesty, but while he doesn’t have beads or wear his hair in the traditional styles you normally see, you should note that he didn’t cut it.”
Ellery chuckled. “Do not dare tell Chander to give me my hair back if he must resurrect me.”
“I didn’t even think of that. I might need a private moment with the Arch Lich.”
“Chrys, I am ready to do this. Will you gather the men we have chosen to hold the net?”
His dark eyes filled with pain and his jaw clenched, but Chrysander gave him a stiff nod. “If that’s what you want, then let’s do this.”
“I am going to be okay. One way or another.”
Chrysander crushed him into his arms and kissed him almost savagely. Ellery held on for dear life and eagerly stroked his tongue along Chrysander’s. When Chrysander finally let them come up for air, they were both panting. “I love you.”
Ellery slid off his rings and handed them to Chrysander, who wrapped them tightly in his fist for a few seconds, then slid both into his pocket.
“I love you too. I am going to go get changed into my robe now.”
They stared at other for several minutes, and there were a million emotions to catalog in Chrysander’s gaze, but Ellery was helpless to comfort him. His mate didn’t say another word; he calmly caressed his cheek and swept his lips over his forehead before stalking away. It was time to change his life, so Ellery held his head high as he prepared to do the impossible.
* * *
Inside of Chrysander were so many tumultuous thoughts, he wished he had an off switch. Ellery was inside the private changing room at the rear of Aleksander’s enormous house and with the help of the dukes present, they spread out the large net he would shift under. The Coven of Warlocks and the Darkfallen Court were in place on the deck. From there they could cast the healing spells Ellery would need to make his journey from life to death as easy as possible. Like the dragons, they would do it with their backs turned.
The Draconis and D’Vaire royalty were each grabbing their handles around the perimeter of their large safety measure when Ellery emerged in his robe. Elven D’Vaire created a thick one for him in black dragonskin. It was not left unadorned as they planned to modify it and turn it into a cloak after Ellery shifted. Thick gold beading was around the bottom, and it swept up in graceful swirls toward his shoulders. As he walked, Chrysander could see Ellery was also wearing a shiny pair of pants which were likely silk.
His elf walked up to him and lifted his face for a kiss. Chrysander didn’t give a shit who was watching; he deepened it until Ellery was pliant in his arms. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to hold on to him forever or get this whole damn exercise over. Ellery resolved his dilemma when he ended their embrace and stepped away.
