Page 84 of Killian
Killian held out his hand. “Take it.”
With no objection to touching Killian, Dravyn quickly obeyed. But he tugged on Killian’s arm when he rose and tried to encourage Dravyn to get up alongside him.
“Killer, I am in no condition to traipse through the dancers.”
“Why not?” Killian asked, alarmed. “I sense no injury. Did someone insult you? What ails you, love?”
His face flushing with heat, Dravyn scowled while Killian stood above him with concern in those softly glowing eyes. Thankfully, Dravyn’s embarrassment was quelling his rising manhood, but the situation remained less than ideal.
“It is often difficult for a man to disguise his interest,” Dravyn muttered to the ground.
“His interest in what?”
Dravyn lifted his chin and narrowed his gaze at a now-grinning Killian. “It was for a scantily clad druid whose vines have unfortunately disappeared now that his duties are complete, but my interest is quickly vanishing.”
Leaning down, Killian kissed his cheek. “Do you think you are the only person this night suffering pangs of desire? Few, if any, will notice. They are far too focused on revelry.” Killian’smouth curled into a suggestive smile. “Then again, given the size of your rod, it is hard to miss.”
“You are being unhelpful.”
“Please come with me and think about how intense my love for you is instead of how deep you’d like my cock inside you.”
Scandalized, Dravyn’s mouth dropped open. “Save such sentiments until we are alone.”
“You are making this night most awkward.”
“I did not mean to,” Dravyn replied, crestfallen that he was upsetting Killian. His embarrassment was dissipating along with the strength of his erection, which left plenty of room for Dravyn’s newfound irritation with himself.
“Dray, I have a surprise for you. That is all. No need to badger yourself; I spoke out of turn. I want this night to be perfect, and I am the one making a muck out of it.”
Dravyn offered Killian a sheepish smile and stood. Since Killian hadn’t bothered to step back to give him space, they were practically chest-to-chest. Dropping his chin to meet Killian halfway, he eagerly returned the soft kiss.
“Could we start over?” Dravyn asked. “Forget everything that happened after you offered your hand to me?”
“Whatever you wish. Your Grace, will you do me the privilege of coming with me?”
“It would be my honor, Killian the Dwyer.”
With a wink and another brush of their lips, Killian turned and led Dravyn to the center of the dancers. To Dravyn’s surprise, everyone parted, and the leaders of The Council grinned at them.
“Are we ready to begin?” Kaedan asked.
Killian released his hold on Dravyn, and a small golden dagger with vines wrapped around the hilt in the exact green of his dragon appeared between them.
“Dravyn, will you and your dragon do me the honor of forging a bond between our souls for eternity?”
Love and tenderness flooded Dravyn, and tears filled his eyes. He was unable to find his voice, and his breath hitched, but he managed a nod.
The most stunning melody filled Dravyn’s ears, and Kaedan plucked the athame from the air as everyone broke into song. It was sung in a language Dravyn didn’t understand, but the beauty of it was not lost on him.
“Please hold out your hands,” Kaedan requested, handing the blade to Aloisa.
Killian lifted his left, which Aloisa cut, so Dravyn mirrored him by offering his right to Clara. The slice across his palm was extraordinarily painful, but Dravyn did not flinch. Instead, he wept silently as Killian pressed their wounds together and a vision of two souls entered his mind. His dragon roared with approval and his desire to seal their bond forever with a bite. Dravyn intended to make that happen before morning.
“Fate has matched you, and tonight begins the promise of eternal love,” Kaedan said. “As long as your heart remains true, you honor our goddess’s gift.”
Dravyn smiled gratefully at Killian as the now-familiar feeling of his healing magick touched his skin. With a flourish, Kaedan handed Chander the dagger.
“It is unpleasant, but we have another cut to endure,” Killian whispered.
