Page 41 of Killian
“Stunning,” Dravyn murmured.
“Write me again, Dravyn. Will you meet me here again in a week’s time?”
Without a clue how he’d arrange it, Dravyn instantly agreed. “Yes.”
“Until then, be well.”
“You too.”
Killian stepped away, and Dravyn watched as he and Conley disappeared a few moments later. Dravyn didn’t know what the future held, but a spark of excitement swept through him. His dragon roared, and Dravyn didn’t know why a single spell had enticed the beast, but he was cautiously enamored of his beast’s interest in their mate. Hope stirred in Dravyn’s chest, but Fate’s fortunes were mercurial, and it was far too soon to know if a relationship with the leader of the druids was possible.
Chapter 16
Killian had long ago coaxed a tree into growing a room of sorts, which was where he slept every night. Seven days after his meeting with Dravyn, Killian stood in the tree and snatched his cloak from its hook. Behind him stood the grand castle his parents had built. Like the people who’d given Killian life, the outside was grandiose and ugly.
Thankfully, Aloisa and Clara had turned the interior into a lovely home, and the garden Clara had designed for them sprawled behind it. Like the plants of other powerful druids, Killian’s plants sang, and their tune was harmonious thanks to Clara’s thoughtfulness. Aloisa’s mate had a talent for arranging plants agreeably, and many sought her advice when planning their gardens.
Both Killian and Aloisa encouraged the shy woman, and Clara had bloomed in the years since she’d joined their family. It helped that, like Killian, his sister and her other half were at Castle Leolinnia more than anywhere else. T’Eirick and Saura infused their home with love, and Killian found some solace whenever he arrived. If his life had been like this before Killian met Dravyn, his heart would’ve been full, but now his soul yearned for a grander abundance of joyous feelings.
Thinking of Dravyn created a mixture of emotions inside Killian. Their meeting a week ago had enlightened Killian to much, and he remained angered at what Dravyn had endured. The damage to Dravyn’s ankle had been intense, and the scarring told a horrible story about the past century and a half. The layers of damaged tissue had put truth behind Dravyn’s words about his life chained in a garden.
Killian’s mouth tightened, and his fingers curled into fists. How many dragons had festering hate bubbling inside them? Why did so many of them wish for nothing but pain and suffering? Refusing to miss out on the opportunity to be with Dravyn again, Killian wiggled his shoulders and forced himself to set aside his fury.
When he was alone again, he could ponder the evil of dragonkind. Since Killian didn’t want an audience, he had told no one about his trip. Conley, of course, had asked for details, and now that word had spread that Killian had met with Dravyn, he was asked repeatedly about his plans. Killian ignored them. He was aware of his responsibility as leader of the druids and would stay out of harm’s way. But trying to discover if he and Dravyn had a path forward as mates was a private matter.
Allowing his magic to unfurl, Killian teleported himself to the spot where he’d been reunited with Dravyn. A few feet away, Dravyn stood with his head bowed. Like before, his black hair was tangled and obscuring his dark green eyes. Dravyn stood hunched as if trying to make his massive frame smaller, and despite his title, his serviceable clothing marked him more peasant than Duke.
“Dravyn, are you well? How does your ankle fare?” Killian asked. Although he was confident in his healing abilities, Killian wanted to ensure Dravyn had not suffered any mishaps since they’d last met.
“I am well,” Dravyn said without lifting his chin. “How are you?”
“Well, Dravyn. I am well. How is your garden?”
A tiny smile appeared, and Killian unconsciously mirrored it.
“Last week, I bartered for some new seeds. It is the first time I have encountered white mustard seeds. My sister is eager to experiment with it in her recipes.”
Each month, Killian cultivated dozens of seeds and aided with distributing them to Council members via their monthly dance gathering. To his surprise, a vision appeared in his mind of Dravyn being at his side as he stretched his magick and happily communed with everyone present. If Killian remembered correctly, he’d been asked to create rows of three different mustard seeds, and a white variety was among them.
As Killian thought about the other herbs, fruits, and vegetables he encouraged to grow, he wondered which of them Dravyn had tasted or grown.
“Perhaps I could bring you some seeds when we meet next,” Killian offered.
“All the goods we sell are made with dragonskin. Despite how cruel some of our people are, it is a durable and beautiful hide that is oft requested. The rumor is spread that the dragonskins are taken from dead beasts. It is a lie. We die in human form. I doubt you wish to own any given how many of your people have undoubtedly died at the hands of dragons. I have nothing to offer you in exchange. We give the coin to Aleksander, and he ensures we have everything we need.”
“It would be a gift, Dravyn, with nothing expected in return. But I would not have you think I would reject anything made in your dragonskin. Though I have not seen your beast, your eyes are the color I favor most.”
Dravyn’s cheeks turned rosy. “I could not accept any gifts. I have done nothing to deserve your kindness.”
“Now that I know a bit of your tale, you also deserve none of my ire. I will bring you seeds.”
“You are not a man accustomed to hearing no.”
Cocking his head to the side, Killian considered the statement. “I suppose you are right, but that does not mean I lack the ability to compromise. Our Council could not flourish if I always expected to have my ideas applauded with no respect for others. But the other leaders often share my opinions. I believe it is because we are focused on the same goal. We want the best for our people and will stop at nothing to have them prosper despite the significant obstacles we face daily.”
“Your Council sounds impressive. I envy you the company of the Reverent Knights. Although Imperial Duke Bernal tried to destroy their legacy, I remember well the tales of how well they ruled as Emperors.”
“None of us regret the day we stole their bodies. I love them as family and am grateful we heeded your advice. I cannot imagine them apart.”
