Page 66 of No Ordinary Drakeling
“I want you to. I want that more than anything, but I’ll admit I’m scared.”
Ellery lifted his chin. “You have nothing to be afraid of.”
“I truly believe that if there’s anyone that can manage the impossible, it’ll be you.”
“Do you think we will make it down to D’Vaire anytime soon?”
“I’d like to, but our schedules are busy. Is there a specific reason you want to make a trip down there?”
“Tiri is anxious about carrying the D’Vaire name. He is afraid he is going to dishonor it,” Ellery confided. “I thought if he could spend some time with Aleksander and the others, he would be more relaxed about the situation. I also enjoy the D’Vaire home a great deal.”
“I do too, they’re very special people. I’ll talk to Wesley and see if we can shuffle things around to get a weekend free, but I’m afraid he’s already pissed about the recent upheavals.”
“He is rather militant about your schedule.”
“My brothers think he’s been allowed to run the show for so long that he’s become a bit overconfident in his role as the office manager.”
“His routine was certainly thrown out the window when first I showed up, and now our household has gained Tiri.”
Chrysander squeezed Ellery’s hand with affection. “We wait all our lives to find our mates, but somehow we’re still shocked when they show up. Suddenly we must alter everything we know to build a new life with a partner at our sides. It’s not always a smooth transition, but it’s a gift without measure. We’ll figure out how to coexist.”
“Tell me about it. One day I was standing there with a bag in one hand and no shoes on my feet. The next day I was being fitted for a crown and buying silk suits.”
“I don’t want to talk about your first full day as Emperor Ellery Draconis.”
Ellery’s smile was impish, and it warmed Chrysander from the inside out. “Why is that?”
“Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about. I may never forgive you for chopping off all your hair.”
“The punishment for that seems to be that it grows like a weed. I am going to have to come up with an alternate plan for it. I do not want to deal with the weight, but I also do not want to have to run to Vylendri to get it cut every other day.”
“If you think I have sympathy for your situation, you’re sorely mistaken.”
The elf-drakeling at Chrysander’s side laughed. “I would like to point out that your hair is quite short.”
“Last time I checked, I wasn’t an elf.”
“Last time I checked, I was half dragon.”
“I think I prefer you when you’re serene and silent,” Chrysander teased.
“That, Your Majesty, is a lie.”
Delighted with Ellery but because he didn’t want to concede the truth, Chrysander changed the subject. “Why are you nervous about tonight?”
“I get butterflies in my stomach before each event. I am still learning names, the proper ways to address people, and I fear saying something that will harm the reputation of dragons.”
“There’s no need to torture yourself. You can always ask me or my brothers if you can’t place a name, and I doubt very seriously you could say anything destructive. You choose your words with care, and you have a good nature.”
“I understand I can ask questions, but I do not want to be a nuisance.”
“Ellery, nothing about being Emperor is truly easy. My brothers and I want to help you if we can. You didn’t only have this heavy burden placed on your shoulders—you’re new to the Council itself. If nothing else, all you need to do when meeting new people is nod gracefully and allow the rest of us to do the talking. You don’t have to stress out about everything. I’d prefer you didn’t.”
“Because I need to focus my nerves on my first shift.”
“It would be best if you didn’t have any nerves when that day comes. I firmly believe that if you accept your beast with open arms, you set yourself up for success.”
“That is what Jeremiah believes as well.”
