Page 54 of Killian
“Agreed, I do not want them overwhelmed, nor do I want to miss anything,” Fate replied.
“Here is a question I am afraid we did not consider,” Death commented, her mind rapidly flipping through the events that had unfolded in certain years in the original realm they’d mimicked. “The split of The Council from Europe to North America took place because of Chander’s desire to keep Conley’s body. Conley was never in stasis without Drystan, and Egidius holds no grudges against the Arch Lich. Will it still happen?”
Life stared at Death grimly. “It will, but the reasons will differ. What we don’t know is the impact it will have on The Council. Or sadly, for Dravyn and Killian, since so much of their story remains untold.”
“At this pace, we are going to need to move into Death’s castle and watch the mirrors around the clock,” Fate exclaimed. “I can hardly keep up with the other realms, I am growing so invested in this one.”
“We cannot forget our other duties,” Justice cautioned. “You have souls to match and leaders to crown in other realms. The rest of us have responsibilities. None of them can be set aside because of our curiosity.”
“Plus, I would prefer if I alone called this castle my home,” Death said.
Fate smirked. “Oh, right. Of course. Our maudlin sister of theebirlloba. The goddess of death. It is most important that she is aloof. Mysterious. Unbothered by the trials and tribulations of the living and the goddesses who kept order beyond her side of the veil.”
Reaching out, Death nudged Eternity’s shoulder. “Get your sister out of here, she is annoying.”
Eternity laughed. “I know, but she is impossible to force to do anything. Otherwise, we would have more matebonds.”
“I hate all of you,” Fate declared, crossing her arms. Satisfied by her sister’s ire, Death chuckled and focused again on the large mirror where Dravyn daydreamed of passionate kisses with the other half of his soul.
Chapter 21
Killian’s lips tingled. It was a pleasant feeling, and he grinned at the blushing Duke in front of him.
“Your mouth is addictive,” Killian said.
To his delight, Dravyn’s cheeks went pinker, and he shuffled his feet. Thankfully, Dravyn kept his deep green gaze locked on Killian’s. Thanks to the great studying Killian had done of Dravyn in their slowly growing acquaintance, he’d learned that the moment the shifter grew uncomfortable his eyes hit the ground. Killian detested it whenever Dravyn’s shoulders stooped or he bowed his head.
From what Killian had learned of Dravyn’s life thus far, the man had done nothing to deserve such innate reticence about asserting himself or feeling comfortable in his own skin. Killian’s hands curled into fists as he thought about the many years Dravyn had served as a servant due to greedy, unworthy dragons.
“Not that I want to interrupt, but are you sure this is a good idea?” Baxter asked.
Since Killian had forgotten that the sentinel was there for his protection against invisible marauders, he jumped at the sound of Baxter’s voice.
“I am going to meet Dravyn’s family,” Killian said. “Dravyn and the other D’Vaire dragons will ensure no harm comes to me. I will teleport directly to Castle Leolinnia to present my unharmed self to the Grand Warlock and the Reverent Knights afterward.”
Baxter sighed gustily. “I dislike it, but I have no choice but to comply with Killian the Dwyer.”
“Indeed. Go spend the evening with your other half.”
“I am not leaving yet,” Baxter grumbled. “Dravyn offered to get you to his home on the back of his dragon. Once you are resting there and up in the air, I will return to Castle Leolinnia.”
“Shift whenever you are ready,” Killian said to Dravyn.
To Killian’s amusement, in the glow of the golden light he’d provided them in the dark, Dravyn’s ears turned a deep red.
Dravyn’s chin hit his chest. “I will need a bit of privacy to shift.”
Although Killian would have preferred to watch Dravyn peel off his clothing so he could see every inch of his thickly muscled body, he was unsurprised at the Duke’s words.
“I understand,” Killian assured him with a quick peck on one pink cheek.
Dravyn’s mouth twisted for a second, then he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Killian’s. That was an invitation Killian refused to ignore, and he cupped the bare skin of Dravyn’s neck underneath his tangled mess of dark locks to kiss him more deeply. Just like the first time, Dravyn set Killian aflame. Killian was not inexperienced, but no one had ever come close to driving him to the edge of madness—and they had barely touched.
Killian’s eager mind threatened his sanity with images of him lying intertwined with Dravyn. To keep himself from tugging at Dravyn’s clothing himself, Killian ruthlessly shutdown that train of thought and waited for his mate to shyly end their embrace. Stepping back, Dravyn smiled.
“I should go shift now,” Dravyn said.
“I’ll wait however long you need,” Killian replied, meaning every word. Long gone was the cautious man who’d feared rejection after a century and a half of silence. Dravyn could not help his situation or his fear of magick. But Killian firmly believed things were different now.
