Page 98 of No Ordinary Drakeling
“No. I understand. I would have preferred it was different, but I harbor no ill feelings toward Chrysander.”
“Are you nervous about tonight?”
Ellery laughed at Tiri’s question. “I thought it would be the press bombarding me, not you two. I am nervous, but I suppose that is natural.”
“Sex is wonderful,” Tiri assured him. “At least with Zane.”
“Thanks, baby. I think it’s wonderful with you too.”
There were all kinds of bright emotions in the eyes of the pair next to him, and Ellery’s romantic heart thumped with happiness at the love growing between them.
“What color do you think your mating marks will be?” Tiri asked.
“I am not sure, since Chrysander is a dragon. Yours are only teal, so I guess it will be green like the other Fen-Lynthi couples.”
“The other elf couples we’ve seen have a mix of colors of both their tribes, so perhaps you will get Chrysander’s dragon color too,” Tiri suggested.
“I certainly would not complain if we got a mix. I know there are elves with shifter mates that do get them. Fate appears to choose what pattern she wants. It is too bad we are not sprites. I would not mind it on both cheeks instead of only the left side.”
No one got the chance to respond to Ellery’s words. Wesley popped into the room and shooed them out. It was time for the ceremony, and Ellery had to stop himself from running down the hallway.
“Chrys is already in there,” Wesley announced once they came to a halt behind two enormous double doors. He fussed with Ellery’s long cloak, and Tiri hustled over to spread it grandly over the floor. “Zane, you and Tiri will need to sneak in with me to take our seats in the front. The spotlight needs to be on Ellery.”
Knots formed in Ellery’s stomach at being the center of attention, but he squared his shoulders and called upon all the strength he possessed. He concentrated on relaxing the muscles of his face as Wesley studied him critically. Apparently satisfied, Wesley shrugged and told Ellery to enter as soon as he was ready. After a steadying breath, he nodded and walked forward. Once the first person caught sight of him, the flashing bulbs of the photographers started up again.
Sedately, he strolled in an unhurried fashion toward Chrysander. He caught sight of the entire D’Vaire family not far from the front and was not only honored but happy that they were there, as well as Chieftain Valzadari. Giving his attention back to Chrysander, he noticed the dragon was wearing a welcoming smile. He held out a hand, and once he was close enough, Ellery took it. The touch of Chrysander steadied him, and he lifted his chin, more than ready to make his promises.
“Your Majesties, we’ll begin when you’re ready,” a man whispered next to them. Ellery turned and found himself in the company of T’Eirick and Saura as well as the Arch Lich.
“We are ready to begin,” Ellery responded after getting a wink from Chrysander. He released his hold on Chrysander, and let his arm fall to his side.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct honor and privilege to be with you today,” T’Eirick stated loudly. “As the former leaders of the Council of Sorcery and Shifters, myself, Lichpriestess Saura D’Vaire, and Arch Lich Chander Daray will be hosting the mating ceremony of these two amazing men.”
“For the last two hundred years, Emperor Chrysander Draconis has presided over our great Council. During his reign, he has expanded what once was a group of only five races into this magnificent assembly of over a hundred types of people. Embracing technology and being sensitive to the needs of everyone, he has brought us into an age of prosperity. All the while he has also presided over a large population of beasts so stunning, we once thought them fabled. Though the mantle was handed to him at the darkest moment in Draconis history, he has given honor and integrity back to his people,” Saura said.
“Hybrids are a rare thing,” Chander declared with a wry smile. As the only known demonic necromancer hybrid, he understood the battle Ellery walked each day between two worlds. “There are those that are small-minded enough to believe we aren’t as worthy as the rest. While those kinds of attitudes are difficult to overcome, it is absolutely certain that Fate does not agree. For our emperor, she has chosen the rarest combination of shifter found in our world. Once a member of the Fen-Lynthi tribe, now Emperor Ellery Draconis will share the mantle of our future. Noble and gracious, His Majesty will shortly rewrite history when he flies amongst his shifter brethren.”
The sureness in Chander’s voice nearly brought Ellery to tears. He believed in himself, but it was nice to hear that kind of confidence in others. And it was really nice that most of D’Vaire believed in him. In his new family, it was only Tiri who never swayed in his conviction that Ellery would survive, though Costas didn’t seem worried.
“In the tradition of elven matings, Chieftain Cadlyr Cwylld-D’Vaire and Chieftain Lorcan Acwellan-D’Vaire will offer floral wreaths designed by Killian the Dwyer, who could not be in attendance today,” T’Eirick stated. The men brought up the coronets which were decorated with velvety black roses and gold leaves. Ellery bowed his head as his crown was lifted off and the flowers gently placed. Lorcan smiled at him; then he and Cadlyr took their leave. Like Ellery, Lorcan too had a mix of blood, and Ellery instinctively knew Chrysander had carefully planned each moment of this ceremony.
“Gentlemen, please raise your left hands,” Chander directed. Ellery and Chrysander did as requested. Two more guests joined them, and it was Reverent Knight Drystan who cut Ellery across his palm with a beautiful dagger of black metal and green jade. He passed it to Conley, who did the same for Chrysander.
“Draconis to Draconis-elf. Emperor to Emperor. Their souls are now tied and their lives now linked. May their hearts always stay united, so they will never want another,” Saura said as they touched their wounds together. Ellery’s soul reached out and wound almost fully around Chrysander’s. It wouldn’t be complete until they were both able to bite each other, but it was a homecoming nonetheless. No longer alone, Ellery now had a partner to give his heart to, and he made a silent vow that he would not fail in that quest. Around his irises, gold rings were being burned onto his eyes, and Ellery felt every second of the heat. His face stung, and his left ear was on fire. What Ellery hadn’t counted on was the beautiful gilded filigree across Chrysander’s jaw and the brilliant tiny gold hoop in his lobe.
“Dragons claim their mates with a bite that leaves no mark. Centuries ago, a draconic tradition began of exchanging rings,” Drystan stated. “Emperor Chrysander and Emperor Ellery will exchange bands to allow the world to bear witness to their joining.”
Conley handed Ellery a thick gold band that bled from elven scrollwork to dragon scales. With fingers that had just started to tremble, he slid it into place on Chrysander’s hand. “Chosen by Fate and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate.”
Chrysander was given a ring from Conley as well, and his grip was sure as he pushed it on. “Chosen by Fate and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate.”
“By the tradition of the Draconis Court and all elven tribes, you are now mates. You have honored all of us by allowing us to bear witness to your joining,” T’Eirick said. Normally Ellery’s tribe would’ve been named in his ceremony, but he’d requested it be kept out. He was no longer Fen-Lynthi, and he would never return. “May your immortal lives be filled with love and happiness.”
“Today we have ushered in a new era for the Council, and our future could not be brighter,” Chander added.
“Thank you, Your Majesties, for allowing us to be part of your special day,” Saura commented.
Ellery’s hand was taken in Chrysander’s warm palm, and he turned them slightly to face the crowd. “People of the Council of Sorcery and Shifters, thank you for being part of our mating ceremony. His Majesty and I will continue to make sure we always have your best interests in our hearts. We would also like to thank the Lichpriestess, the Lichpriest, the Arch Lich, Killian the Dwyer, the Reverent Knights, and the Chieftains Acwellan and Cwylld for their assistance today. And it would be negligent of us not to give our gratitude to Madeline D’Vairedraconis, who was kind enough to create our mating athame and our rings. I’m told there are refreshments in the banquet hall next door so if you’ll proceed there, His Majesty and I will join you shortly.”
Without any further comment, Chrysander hauled Ellery close and kissed him thoroughly, to the delight of the now-cheering crowd. While it was more formal than Ellery had imagined and there were more photos to endure, he was happy to find himself in Chrysander’s arms.
