Page 51 of Killian
“Killian!” a woman shouted.
Following Killian’s lead, Dravyn turned to find not one but two women racing toward them. The taller of the two was faintly familiar, and Dravyn soon realized it was because her smile reminded him of Killian’s.
“Dravyn, allow me the pleasure of introducing my dear sister, Aloisa, and her mate, Clara,” Killian said, pride coursing through his voice.
Aloisa reached out and took Dravyn’s free hand in both of hers. “I have waited so long to meet you. For decades, I have cursed that I was but a girl when you two first laid eyes on each other. I have had to listen to the tales of others about that fateful day, and my jealousy has known no bounds. Do not take this the wrong way—for I assure you my brother has praised you highly—but you are even more handsome than he described. Is he not, Clara?”
“Yes, we are honored to meet you,” Clara added, her brown gaze shy.
“The honor is mine,” Dravyn managed, overwhelmed by Aloisa’s exuberance.
“I’ve embarrassed you,” Aloisa commented with a frown as she released her hold on him. “I am so sorry. From what Killian says, you are much like my Clara and uncomfortable with praise. Oh, how I wish everyone was as humble as you two. The world would be a far grander place with such kind souls in abundance.”
Unsure how to respond, Dravyn’s cheeks went pink as he searched for words.
“You are making it worse,” Killian teased his sister and tugged on one long strand of her brown hair.
“Okay, okay, we will leave him be, but you will sit with us while Killian is working, won’t you?” Aloisa asked.
Dravyn glanced at Killian, and his mate smiled. “Yes, I will feel better if he has the two of you to keep him company,” Killian assured his sister.
Aloisa grinned, grabbed Clara’s hand, and took off toward the crowd. “Have fun,” Clara called out behind her.
“Your sister and Clara are kind,” Dravyn offered, grateful he’d remembered to praise Killian’s family.
“I think so too. Do not be alarmed, they are eager to know you is all.”
With a quick search of his own feelings, Dravyn had to admit he wanted to know Killian’s relations and friends as well. “They are your kin. I want to know them too.”
Apparently pleased by the words, Killian’s lips curved even further, and Dravyn’s lower limbs trembled with weakness again thanks to the handsome druid.
“I am glad to hear it. Would you like to sit down? I have crafted a seat for you so you can be at my side tonight,” Killian said, leading Dravyn toward two chairs that appeared to be made solely of branches and flowers. “Kaedan and Saura will begin the festivities with a few songs to encourage everyone to relax and enjoy their night. Then the true fun will begin. We will work together to ensure everyone has what they need to survive the next month. Above our heads are several layers of magick to protect everyone, so no rogue dragon will spoil our festivities. Magick is used in everything around you.”
Dravyn finally calmed enough to take in his surroundings, and he noted the fires dotted around in different colors. “Why are the fires in different colors?”
“They represent the races present. Navy and gold for warlocks, black for necromancers, brownish green with gold for druids, the seven colors of wizards, and so forth,” Killian explained.
A man Dravyn recognized sat next to him. Kaedan and Saura walked to the center of the semicircle of what he could only describe now as thrones. The Arch Wizard leaned closer to Dravyn and offered him a small smile.
“It is good to see you here with Killian,” Egidius said. Gone was the meanness in his eyes that Dravyn distinctly recalled from 1369. It was replaced by sorrow and what had to be the heavy burden of leading with the constant threat of death hanging above their heads. “I thank you for being levelheaded when we stole the bodies of Drystan and Conley. We neededthem far more than we ever realized that day. Because of you, they were not separated. It was not a lesson I forgot despite Fate not granting me my own mate. If you have a moment before the end of the night, I hope I can introduce you to my son, Jael.”
“It would be my pleasure, Arch Wizard,” Dravyn managed, unsure how else to respond.
“Egidius,” the wizard ruler insisted. “The Council is a family. Same as your court, I believe.”
The drums surged along with other instruments Dravyn couldn’t name as Kaedan’s voice lifted. In addition to the magick Fate had given Kaedan, she had also rewarded the warlock with a rich voice that caused raised bumps on Dravyn’s arms as he sang about unrivaled courage, overcoming obstacles, and the bond between everyone present.
Saura caught Dravyn’s eye, and she winked as she joined her son in the chorus. Like Kaedan, she was a pleasure to listen to, and Dravyn unconsciously smiled as people danced around the fires. Halfway through the second tune, the cloaks started to disappear, and Dravyn’s gaze widened as he took in how little the sorcerers wore. A few feet away, Kaedan’s cloak evaporated, and he wore nothing but a pair of breeches. They hung loosely on his hips and were secured by a wide navy sash with gilded threads. A few gold chains flowed around his waist too.
Time was lost to Dravyn as the music continued. While the pointy-eared elves, fallen knights, and sentinels wore tops, none of the other men did. The woman mostly switched out braies for skirts with high slits showing off their toned legs and little more than a cloth covering their chests. It seemed fair to Dravyn that they readily exposed as much flesh as their male counterparts, and he judged none of them for their near-nakedness, though it was a surprise to him. Dragons routinely stripped in front of each other to shift, but Dravyn preferred to take off his own clothing when he was alone.
Long after Dravyn had lost count of the number of songs, Killian moved close. “I have to go garden now,” Killian whispered next to Dravyn’s ear, causing a lovely shiver.
“Okay,” Dravyn replied.
Killian stood and dropped his cloak. Dravyn could do nothing but stare. The druid wore green—the same deep color as Dravyn’s dragon—and the beast roared in approval. Around Killian’s biceps were thick gold bands, and his smile was dangerously slow as he held out his hand to Dravyn. There was no question Dravyn wanted to go wherever the man led.
Soon, Dravyn was on his feet and traipsing across the ground. People cheered as Killian passed them, but Dravyn barely noticed. His focus was on the long muscles of Killian’s back and the low pants that barely covered the curve of the druid’s arse.
