Page 38 of Killian
Dravyn brought it to his nose and breathed deeply. It smelled of rich dirt, or was that because he rested on the ground and wished for some connection to that moment a century and a half ago when he first met Killian? In his heart was a mixture of dread and excitement. Had Killian only written to demand Dravyn stop all correspondence?
After slowly sitting up, Dravyn bowed his head and stared at the letter. Had Killian done the same upon receiving the letter from Dravyn three days past? Thanks to King Ethelin and King Bernal, Dravyn had barely lived his life, and he wanted more than to be a lonely gardener. So, he forced himself up from the ground and snuck into the house.
Careful not to make any noise so he would not wake the other D’Vaires, Dravyn slipped into his bedchamber. In the low light provided by the fireplace, he lit a candle and sat in a wooden chair he’d built himself. It was not a beautiful piece of furniture, but it was serviceable, and that was all that mattered to Dravyn.
As gently as he could, Dravyn uncurled the scroll and admired the bold handwriting slashed across the page. It was far finer than Dravyn’s own hand.
Your Grace,
It was quite a surprise to find myself reading a letter from you. I confess it took some courage to read its contents and time to compose a response. I have always honored Fate; she has granted me much, so I have lived this past century and a half in a quandary. How do I respect a matebond when I receive no word from the man precariously tied to my soul?
I have no wish to burden you with the entirety of my feelings during your long silence, but I both worried and grew angry with you. You do not wish to explain your reasons in a letter. I must conclude that the story is vastly detailed or deeply troubling. Perhaps both. This world has changed much since that fateful meeting so long ago, so I must ask, are you among the dragons plaguing my people and other magickind?
Many have died, and I fear many more will lose their lives or their homes to the furious blast of dragon fire. If you have preyed upon anyone, I beg of you not to attempt to explain away your actions. There is no excuse I can find worthwhile. If you have been innocent of any such crimes, I hope you can understand my desire to ask such a direct query of your actions.
Without knowing anything about your life in these many decades, I cannot know if a matebond between us is possible. But I do not seek solitude either. I can respect your desire to keep our correspondence private, and I pray you can teach me that not all dragons are rooted in evil.
As for magick, it is such a part of me I cannot imagine being the same man without it. Fate granted me a rich bounty of abilities, and I stretch them each day by pushing myself harder. Little has brought me solace in my life beyond sorcery, so it troubles me to hear it causes you and your beast fear. I would allay it if I had the power.
Tell me, are you still a gardener? Whenever I have thought of you, I’ve recalled you telling me about our sharedinterest in the land, and I hope it is counted among the things that continue to bring you joy.
Yours,
Killian
“I should have mentioned I had terrorized no one and hadn’t murdered magickind with dragon fire,” Dravyn muttered, angry at himself for the oversight.
As long as he’d toiled, choosing the right words to use, he should have started off by assuring Killian he had never murdered anyone. Eager to reassure Killian and allow the druid to rest easy about his past, Dravyn dragged out some parchment he’d purchased from humans and dug out his quill and ink. He would practice his words and ensure each one was perfect before he used one of Killian’s magical pages.
My next letter will not be missing vital information, he promised himself. Dravyn desired to learn more about Killian, and he would have no hope if he didn’t choose his words with care. Although his dragon was antsy about the letter from a sorcerer, Dravyn sent him soothing thoughts. The extent of Killian’s powers was beyond Dravyn’s comprehension, but Fate had paired them. It was time to learn if that would affect his future or if Dravyn would never share his garden with another.
Chapter 15
Killian sighed with relief as he read the second letter penned by Dravyn’s hand. It was a simple note, and Dravyn’s script was rough. That was no surprise to Killian. He remembered well the words Dravyn had spoken to him a century and a half ago. Despite his title, Dravyn had grown up a gardener and had only learned to read and write from a former noble toiling alongside him.
Although Killian’s feelings were confused, he could at least rest easy, knowing that Dravyn had professed he was not among the dragons preying upon magickind. Killian knew little of Dravyn, but he was willing to offer a small bit of trust in his words. Again, Dravyn had withheld his reasons for his long silence.
Curiosity weighed heavily on Killian, and he needed to look into Dravyn’s eyes to hear the tale that had kept his mate from him. But Killian worried about how to arrange such a meeting. He had no clue where Dravyn lived, and the D’Vaires were ignorant of their relationship. That made it impossible for Killian to show up at Dravyn’s doorstep and demand answers.
So, he would have to suggest Dravyn pick a spot for them. If Dravyn refused, Killian would have to consider carefully how to proceed.
“That’s a stern frown, what is bothering you?”
Killian jerked in his chair and turned to Conley behind him. “I had some thinking to do,” Killian said with a frown. “I should’ve known better than to do it in the Great Hall of Castle Leolinnia.”
“Nonsense, it is where we all usually find ourselves,” Conley replied with a smirk and not a hint of remorse for scaring Killian in his amber gaze. The Reverent Knight took a seat in a high-backed chair opposite Killian and adjusted the sword he was never without to get comfortable. “What ails you?”
Killian crossed his ankles and moved his bare feet incrementally closer to the roaring fire in one of the giant fireplaces built into the stone walls. “I’ve received two missives from my mate.”
“Have you?” Conley asked, his brown brows flying upward. “Did His Grace explain where he has been hiding since 1369?”
“Dravyn insists the tale is too long to write.”
“Then you must stand before him and take his measure as you listen to his words to determine if they are lies or truth.”
“My thoughts exactly. My dilemma is where to have such a meeting and how I will feel if he refuses.”
“Take one problem at a time, Killian,” Conley said. “For your safety, the spot must be neutral. I cannot allow you to venture onto the lands of dragons. As proud as I was to be a dragon Emperor, I have lost all faith in my former brethren. Too many of them wish us dead. Ask him to suggest a place, and I will accompany you. If he refuses, we will speak again to determine how to proceed.”
