Page 91 of No Ordinary Drakeling
Chapter 29
Chrysander frowned as he shut the door to his private area of the condo. His family enjoyed themselves immensely at D’Vaire, and the mating ceremony was gorgeous. His entire life, Zane carried the weight of his father’s actions no matter how hard the rest of them tried to assure the duke it had nothing to do with him. As he stood there in the memorial garden, making his promises to Tiri, for once there was nothing but joy radiating from his face. Chrysander hoped as the two grew closer and love flourished, Zane would put the past where it belonged.
As for himself, the couple’s vows left Chrysander with a deeper sense of wrongdoing. He’d made so many mistakes since the moment he met Ellery. Expectations as emperor be damned, he should have bowed to Ellery’s traditions and united their souls. Instead, they still barely knew one another, though they at least talked more frequently. It wasn’t nearly enough, and Chrysander would be glad when their lives were fully connected.
Without knowing what to do with himself and not willing to deal with the weight of his emotions, Chrysander went to his desk. The plans for his matebond ceremony were already set; there was nothing he could do but count down the days. So he opened his laptop to check his email, unsurprised to find tons of new messages. Before he could click on one, the door swung open, revealing his twin.
“Hey.”
“Ellery and Tiri are downstairs chatting like magpies. Taking them to D’Vaire was a great idea,” Damian said as he strode into the space and sprawled over a dark sofa.
“Tiri starting his own business has him so excited.”
“As the only sprite in the Council, his unique style should be a big hit.”
“The important thing is, he loves the idea and can’t wait to get to work.”
“What’re you doing up here?”
Chrysander shrugged and turned to face Damian. “Work.”
“Now there’s a shocker.”
“You work as hard as I do.”
“I don’t have my mates yet.”
“Mine’s enjoying his time with Tiri,” Chrysander argued.
“I wonder what Ellery must think at this point.”
“What do you mean?”
“Chrys, Zane and Tiri have now had two mating ceremonies, and he’s had zero. You guys haven’t even been out on a damn date.”
After rubbing his hands over his face, Chrysander glared at his brother. “Have you looked at my schedule? When would we have time to date?”
“You are the Emperor.”
“Exactly, I have obligations and now so does Ellery.”
“That’s not what I mean. Your most vital role is to uphold and protect matebonds. Your man comes first. Fuck your schedule.”
“I really thought I’d be so much better at this mating thing.”
“I’ve waited all my life to find something that you totally suck at, but I certainly didn’t want it to be this.”
Chrysander scowled. “I’m not sure which part of that statement pisses me off more.”
“Lighten up. You know I’m kidding,” Damian retorted. He pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped his finger on the screen. “I’m making you two reservations at that restaurant Zane took Tiri too. Tiri loved it. He went crazy over the plants. Ellery will love it too. You’re going to take him and get this show on the road. You’ve waited too long to be happy and so has Ellery.”
“You aren’t even going to ask either of us what we think about it?”
“Absolutely not. You’ll go on Thursday. Your schedule has you both at some corporate event for Draconis Enterprises. The Managing Director isn’t even attending. I don’t know why the two of you need to be there. I swear, Wesley signs you up for every invitation that arrives on his desk.”
“We’re going to significantly reduce our events after our ceremony. I want time with Ellery.”
“Good. You should’ve done that a month ago.”
