Page 126 of No Ordinary Drakeling
Chapter 40
Ellery moved swiftly to the other side of the changing room and recalled the things Jeremiah had taught him. He closed his eyes and imagined himself as an elf. The large muscles he’d grown receded, and his bones shortened as his scales turned to skin. It may have taken a few minutes, but Ellery successfully shifted. On legs trembling with excitement, he raced through the door next to him and tugged on his clothing.
He took a quick glance down to make sure nothing was on backward and that his important bits were covered, then rushed out. Turning his head, he found his prey. Chrysander was smiling widely, and Ellery sprinted toward him. Once his mate opened his arms, Ellery jumped into them. He was held tightly against a strong chest and kissed thoroughly. When he had to breathe, he put his hands on Chrysander’s beloved face.
“I hate to say I told you so…”
“But you just did.”
“I shifted. I did it!”
“I can’t put into words how proud I am of you. Ell, your dragon’s gorgeous.”
“He is white.”
“White dusted with gold. Teverild can show you the pictures. You have your mating marks even in dragon form.”
“Wow.”
“I was so scared. I’m sorry I didn’t believe in you.”
Ellery threw his head back and laughed with joy. “I am glad you do not have to be frightened or worried anymore. I do not care that you thought it was impossible. My dragon and I knew we would be all right.”
“You had amazing control of him. Did he try to fly at all?”
“No, he seemed to understand we were not ready for that. He did not want to upset you.”
“And for that, he has my gratitude.”
Ellery kissed Chrysander’s waiting mouth and from a distance heard a door slam.
“I don’t see a dragon, Zane,” Tiri’s disgruntled voice carried across the backyard.
“He’s already shifted into an elf,” Zane explained. “Teverild can show you the pictures.”
“It’s kind of fun to watch Zane get scolded by a small sprite,” Chrysander whispered. Ellery grinned but didn’t want to offend Zane by agreeing, even if the duke was too far away to hear him.
“You could’ve brought me out here when he was still in dragon form,” Tiri complained.
“He couldn’t stay in dragon from very long. It’s his first shift. We have to be careful, so he’s not hurt,” Zane argued.
“Well, this is terrible,” Tiri retorted.
“I adore Tiri,” Ellery offered quietly to his other half, who was still holding him so his feet dangled an inch or two from the ground.
“Me too, but not nearly as much I adore you.”
“Chrys?”
“Yeah?”
“Would it be in poor taste to drag you to our guest room?”
Chrysander bent his knees and shifted Ellery, sweeping him up into his arms. He carried him across the backyard, across the deck, and into the house. “Not at all,” he responded, and they didn’t bother greeting a single soul as Chrysander stalked through the living area and down the hallway with Ellery held snugly against him.
“Open the door, Ell.”
Ellery reached down and opened it. Chrysander entered their space and kicked the door shut. He dropped Ellery onto the bed gently, then came down on top of him to capture his mouth. Fisting his hands in Chrysander’s hair, Ellery kissed him back with all the joy and love in his heart. This was what he wanted—to erase Chrysander’s pain and concern so there was nothing but the affection and love that they were building between them.
