Page 96 of No Ordinary Drakeling
“With time, you will know every little piece of me, even the evil parts,” Ellery said, then disappeared into the hallway, shutting Chrysander in his private space.
“I only hope you live long enough for that to be true,” he whispered into the lonely room.
* * *
Bending forward slightly, Ellery allowed Chrysander to place the mourning necklace over the ornate cloak Elven D’Vaire designed for his mating ceremony. It was Chrysander’s black dragonskin decorated heavily in swirls of gold beads. Under it he wore a silk tunic and pants also in black, painstakingly crafted by Tiri’s agile hands. When he lifted his gaze, he touched his fingertips to the offering his other half fashioned for him.
“Thank you for doing this.”
Chrysander’s noble face was solemn. “I haven’t given you a lot of reason to believe it yet, but I would do anything for you.”
Unsure what to do with the emotions swirling inside him, Ellery went with his instincts. He took a step toward Chrysander and wound his arms around his waist. With zero hesitation, Chrysander enveloped him in his strong embrace. Neither man spoke, and Chrysander’s palms smoothed over Ellery’s back, heedless of the thick ornamentation on his clothing. No matter what the future held or their past delays, he was grateful for Chrysander in his life. He wasn’t confident in his role as Emperor, and he worried over his ability to be a good partner, but his world was so much brighter.
The clouds that once reigned over his existence were left in the dust, and he wanted so desperately to be loved. He was learning that his dream was not as far-fetched as he’d once believed. Chrysander wanted to grow closer, and they were finally going to be united in every way possible, barring the dragon bite Ellery would give once he freed his beast in another week.
“Are you okay?” Chrysander whispered softly against his ear.
Ellery gathered his scattered wits and lifted his head from Chrysander’s solid chest. He smiled. “I am.” As reluctant as he was to do so, Ellery forced himself to let go of the dragon, and he fished in his pocket. “I made you a necklace too. You may use it to symbolize whatever you wish.”
Chrysander allowed Ellery to place it around his neck. “Thank you. In over a thousand years of life, I’ve lost many around me, but the two deaths that have reverberated the strongest are those of Drystan and Conley. When they were slain, I became Emperor and everything I knew was irrevocably changed. I know they’re alive again, but I don’t want anyone to ever forget that due to greed and cowardice they were murdered in the one place where they should’ve been safe. And it was their own Imperial Duke who was responsible for it.”
“I am forever grateful you have surrounded yourself by men you trust.”
“Me too, because they also guard my most precious treasure,” Chrysander said. His mouth lifted into a half smile. “That’s you, in case you didn’t do the math there.”
Ellery chuckled and was moved by the sincerity that rang in his voice. “I guess I will have to get used to you saying things like that to me.”
“Yes, you will.”
“I am still getting used to talking to you at all.”
“Ouch.”
“I have a propensity for honesty.”
“And an evil streak. Tell me about what you’ll use your necklace for.”
The amusement of their banter disappeared as Ellery reflected on the most profound loss he’d suffered. “I woke up one morning, and my mother was gone. I did not know where to look or who to turn to. I spent so much time wandering over Fen-Lynthi land searching for her, but I never found a trace. There was no funeral, no one to mourn her but me,” Ellery managed and ignored the tear that slipped down his cheek. He traced his fingers over the green beads. “This is the first mourning necklace I have ever received. I am going to use it to think about her happy moments when the joy was in her eyes. It was always there when she spoke of my father. I do not want to remember her sorrow or her fear and anger when her memory faded.”
Chrysander pulled him back into his arms, and Ellery clung to him as he allowed the sad memories to diminish so he could concentrate on only the days when love was written on her face.
“I wish you hadn’t been so alone,” Chrysander said softly.
“I am not anymore,” Ellery responded. The purpose of the elven tradition of visiting a memorial garden close to a mating ceremony was not to be mired in grief, and Ellery wanted to honor the ways of his former people. “You have given me a token I can use to focus on when my mother was happy. It is a gift with no measure.”
Putting one hand under his chin, Chrysander lifted his head so their eyes met. “So are you,” he murmured just before he pressed their lips together in a gentle kiss.
“Thank you for doing this with me today. I know we have a long day ahead of us, and it was kind of you to make time for me.”
“This whole day is about us. I know it’s going to be a pain with photographers and the other bullshit we have to do to please the masses, but this is our day. It makes me happy to finally be able to please you.”
Ellery nodded. He wasn’t sure how to handle Chrysander this way. His words were full of affection, and Ellery wanted to cherish each one. “We usually end with a moment of silence to go wherever your heart leads you. It is about being grateful for this life and all Fate’s gifts.”
Chrysander dropped another gentle kiss on his mouth, then held him close while they took in their beautiful surroundings. From the lush flowers, to the statues of warlocks both dead and alive, as well as the metal likenesses that represented elven tribes whose headcounts were in the single digits, it was serene. Ellery pulled up an image of his mother’s infectious smile. She wore it often when she sorted through her clothes, searching for just the right outfit to please Harry.
Aynleth had adored him with all her heart and he’d left her broken, but Ellery was proud of the woman with a heart so pure. Yet, he could also mourn that she could not see the truth of his perfidy. She wasn’t perfect, but she was his only parent and he would always love her.
As he looked ahead, he saw a lifetime of previously unimaginable heights and hoped he was up to the tasks of dragon shifting, ruling over an empire, and giving his heart to Chrysander. Time might tell who the victor was, but Ellery was prepared to put on his armor and do his best to win the fight. He wanted to conquer everything, and he had to believe that somewhere inside him was the confidence to make it happen.
