Page 37 of No Ordinary Drakeling
Chapter 13
Zane was annoyed and bordering on hostile when he finally got far enough away from Ellery that he could take Wesley to task. In fact, the party was nearing its end with the last few people trickling out. The elf-drakeling was chatting with the Lich Sentinel near the door and Costas was at his side, so he didn’t have to worry about his emperor’s safety, which meant he could give his full attention to Chrysander’s office manager.
“Wesley, there’s no elven food,” he barked at him.
The dragon glared. “I know, I handled the menu. I don’t have time right now to bicker over things—there are a million details I have to see to before I leave for the night.”
“Don’t talk to me like I’m one of your underlings, Wesley. Ellery’s your emperor, and it’s your duty to see to his needs. There’s not one damn thing he can eat in this room.”
“Ellery’s not even wearing elven attire. I don’t know why I should have to change my entire menu for one person. Maybe he should expand his horizons when it comes to eating,” Wesley snapped.
“His Majesty gets to decide what he wants to change and what he doesn’t,” Damian said as he came up alongside Zane with Chrysander just behind him.
The front doors to the condo shut, and Ellery glided upstairs to his room with Costas chatting with him the entire way.
“Wesley, you’ve been an asset to Court Draconis for centuries. I would’ve expected you to know His Majesty will need to have his special needs taken into consideration when we host events,” Chrysander said. “From now on, there should always be an elven dish on the menu, is that understood?”
“Yes, of course, Chrysander. I do apologize. I’m simply not used to having an elf in our midst. I’ll let the caterers know of his special needs from now on.”
“Thank you. And in the future, you need to remember to speak appropriately to His Grace,” Chrysander responded. Wesley’s face colored and he gave a quick nod, then strode off to speak with the catering staff that were hastily packing up the remains of the cocktail party.
“He’s got to be fucking starving,” Zane commented.
Damian pulled his phone from his pocket and ordered up a meal for Ellery from the building’s kitchen. When he hung up, he shook his head. “It’ll be here in a few minutes. We stood around here all night, and Ellery didn’t complain once.”
“It makes me wonder what else we’re overlooking that he’s not complaining about,” Chrysander lamented.
“He’s got enough on his plate. It’s up to us to make sure he has everything he needs,” Zane replied.
“I agree, and we failed tonight,” Damian responded.
There was a knock at the door, and Damian strode over to answer it. The duke posted at the front desk handed him a container of food. Damian returned to where Zane was still standing next to Chrysander, who was frowning ferociously. He thrust the box toward his twin. “Go give this to your mate.”
Chrysander’s dark eyes nearly reeled in a circle. “Absolutely not. I’m not going anywhere near Ellery’s bedroom.”
Zane laughed at his predicament. “What, don’t you trust yourself not to disgrace him?”
“I’m sure you don’t need me to answer that. You’ve seen him, he’s stunning. Me plus Ellery and a bed can’t happen for weeks still.”
Zane grabbed the box from Damian’s hand. “You’re the one who decided to wait so long.”
“We’re emperors, what do you want from me?” Chrysander demanded as Zane headed for the stairs.
“The only time in my life I’m ever going to ignore my title is if Fate ever gives me my other half.”
Damian snorted. “Please. You and Costas are both ignoring your titles. You know—the ones you refuse to take.”
“Chrys, can you explain to your brother how the whole Imperial Duke thing works?” Zane called down as he got to the top of the staircase.
“I happen to agree with him…so, no.”
Ignoring the idiots below him and going up another floor, Zane thumped his fist against Ellery’s door. He wasn’t kept waiting long. Ellery opened it sans his jacket, sash, and crown but still every inch a regal ruler. “It took us entirely too long to figure out there was no elven food offered tonight. Rest assured, it won’t happen again. Chrys asked me to bring you dinner,” Zane said, and then the corner of his mouth lifted. “He would’ve brought it up himself, but he swears he can’t be anywhere near your bedroom until you’ve exchanged blood.”
Ellery’s face looked bewildered, but he took the container. “Thank you.”
“Good night.”
“Good night,” Ellery replied and shut the door.
