Page 61 of Killian
Dravyn sat in rapt attention as Killian explained how the plants should be of a similar stalk size and showed him how to slice them after he used magick to cleanse everything. Once the new bond was secured with a tiny bandage, Killian leaned upon his sorcery again by creating a tiny dome over the fragile leaves.
“We need to build you a room outdoors for the best results,” Killian said. “This way you could bond several in case some of them do not survive the process.”
Although Dravyn had plenty of brawny dragons around who could aid him in building something, he did not want to burden any of his family. It would be easy enough for him to pick up some tools and craft a small building for himself—because he desperately wanted to try out his new skill, and plenty of ideas were rushing into his mind.
“Yes, I think I could do that,” Dravyn murmured, already plotting where best to put the new structure and reminding himself to get Aleksander’s permission before placing anything on his land.
Killian leaned close and kissed Dravyn gently. “I love to see the joy on your face whenever you are out here in your garden.”
“It is a boon to know someone who has the same love for gardening as I do,” Dravyn said. “But I daresay I know little else about your life.”
“I disagree. I’ve told you what I do with my time. Where I take my meals. Even the history of my evil parents.”
“Perhaps, but I struggle to understand some of what you’ve told me. It is hard for me to comprehend the responsibility of tending to thousands of people. At the dance, I was so overwhelmed by your vast power I do not think I took in much of the event.”
“You will have to attend again. I was barely more than a boy when the mantle of leadership was placed upon my head. So much has happened since then, it is difficult for me to recall my life before I was a ruler. For me, it is no burden. But I feel shame. No matter how hard I try, my people suffer. At my side are leaders in the same predicament, and we share our grief. Together, we decide how to approach the future. I am not in it alone.”
“You love them.”
“I do. It is odd because dragons have hurt our people, but I am also grateful to them. My mate is a dragon. So were the Reverent Knights. Without Drystan and Conley, the losses would be far greater. I do not know what it does to their souls to be asked to harm the people they once led, but they do it willingly to spare even a single Council life.”
“I wish they had not died.”
“Me too. We were there that day to beg for an alliance. Knowing the men they are, I’d like to believe we could have come up with an arrangement benefitting everyone. I believe the dragons would have joined The Council.”
Dravyn bowed his head. “Perhaps you and I would have not gone more than a century and a half without speaking.”
Killian smiled and lifted Dravyn’s chin to kiss him again. “A pretty thought. A lovely dream. One I would have liked. But it was not our destiny. Fate did not wish it for us. My hope now is to overcome the obstacles we face to build a matebond that will please us both.”
Shuffling closer to Killian, where they still sat in the dirt, Dravyn smiled. “I have started to dream of it.”
“Dream bigger, Dray. But keep me there by your side as you do.”
Killian cupped Dravyn’s cheek, and Dravyn willingly swayed toward him for a tender kiss that cracked his heart wide open. Instead of a roar, his dragon rumbled a note that flowed with the beat of the garden Killian was helping Dravyn tend. It was a moment of harmony, which Dravyn had barely understood he needed until Killian reentered his life. Dravyn was not fond of the idea of losing it.
Chapter 24
Somehow, Killian had dragged Dravyn out of his garden. Their monthly dance was tonight, and to Killian’s immense joy, Dravyn had decided to spend the entire day with him since they’d share their evening with thousands. Leaving Dravyn with a steady supply of magical missives to allow them to communicate constantly had been one of Killian’s best ideas, and he was reaping the rewards.
Although being alone with Dravyn was something Killian desired, he’d opted to take the dragon to Castle Leolinnia instead. Killian was often around Dravyn’s quiet family home, and he wanted Dravyn to learn more about the people in Killian’s heart.
“This castle is glorious,” Dravyn whispered in reverence as his dark scaly gaze took in the four wide fireplaces and the intricate tapestries gifted to Kaedan’s family by their adoring populace. Many people dined regularly in the room, so it was large and long wooden tables and matching chairs dominated the space.
The stone walls were white-washed, and Kaedan used a spell to keep the ceiling navy with twinkling gold stars. But it wasn’t the decor that brought Killian peace. It was the manymemories he had of sharing great food and conversation with the men and women of The Council.
“I hope you will not be unimpressed by the humble tree I sleep in,” Killian teased.
Dravyn shook his head and, to Killian’s joy, took the druid’s hand. “If I could sleep in nature as you do, I would.”
“Shall I grow a tree for you to rest in?”
“Could you?” Dravyn asked, his eyes widening with surprise and a longing Killian could not ignore.
“Tomorrow, you will have it. I will beg it to grow above the room you built for your plants.”
Dravyn had a few inches of height on Killian, so he had to lean down to land a kiss gently on his cheek. “Thank you, I cannot wait.”
“Perhaps someday I will ask for the gift of sleeping beside you in your tree.”
