Page 75 of Killian
“Indeed,” Killian said. It would be beneficial to everyone if additional lives were saved and perhaps make things easier for the D’Vaires too. Thinking of Dravyn’s family reminded Killian that he had a topic to discuss with his fellow Council members. He wanted his life to move forward, and that meant having Dravyn prominently in it. What could they do for the D’Vaires? And how could Killian combine the two very separate lives he and his mate were currently living?
Chapter 29
Killian had put off his discussion about the D’Vaires with The Council until the next morning. The last thing he’d wanted was to take away from the recent addition of the vampyrs, and they had much to discuss—where Vampyress Irina’s people would live and other such details. But Killian could not wait any longer. So, he’d ventured early to Dravyn’s tree to kiss him thoroughly and to snuggle under the thin covers. They had chatted about the beautiful, mundane parts of their lives—their plans for the day and their gardening projects.
A quick teleport had returned Killian to Castle Leolinnia, and he’d broken his fast with all of the Council leaders, including their newest one. Drystan and the sentinels were reserved and watched more than they spoke, but that did not keep the atmosphere from being a friendly one. As usual, the moment the remnants of their meal were taken away, the group of men and women settled in to review whatever topics they needed to discuss.
“Killian, I wished to thank you,” Irina said, taking the seat next to him. “Your sister, Aloisa, and her mate, Clara, have been so helpful to us. They have already teleported our vampyrs to the place where our new castle will be constructedand returned them to our current humble home. I hope I am not inconveniencing the druids by relying so heavily upon the pair, but they are full of wonderful ideas for our future dwellings.”
Killian smiled. “Aloisa and Clara delight in aiding others, and you will need a beautiful garden surrounding your home. No one is a finer designer of such things than our dear Clara. You are in expert hands. Aloisa will ensure neither she nor her mate overextend themselves.”
“She seems a wise woman. They both do.”
“That they are. It makes a brother very proud to call the pair family.”
“I understand, my consort and son amaze me constantly. Fate must favor me to bring such delightful people into my heart.”
“I cannot help but interrupt,” Conley said. “You are speaking of people in your lives with no match. Clearly, I am most favored by Fate, for I have Drys.”
“Talfryn is a mate with no equal,” Lorcan argued.
“So is Kalthekor,” Aristos chimed in.
“T’Eirick, please tell these young people that you are the finest partner in the land,” Saura told her other half.
“I care not how many years you have spent together. Masse is the reason I rise each morning and carry such glorious love in my soul,” Kolsten argued.
“Yet none of your pairings hold a candle to the gorgeous dragon Fate found for me,” Killian insisted, a smile gracing his lips for the second time since they’d started their meeting. Only this grin was far grander as Killian was thinking about Dravyn. The sweet dragon with exceptional gardening skills was humble and shy and made any conversation better. Killian could imagine no one else at his side.
“Have pity for those of us still unmatched by Fate and save this conversation for another day,” Kaedan drawled. “Orperhaps forget it ever started. The last thing I want is a fight between the devoted leaders of The Council over who was most blessed by our benevolent goddess. You are all lucky and have been given your perfect match. Save your love talk for when you can be alone with your partner so I do not have to hear it.”
“You sound rather bitter,” Kariston mused, a dark brow raised at his twin brother.
“Agreed,” Renny added.
“Personally, I find the idea of having a mate tedious,” Chander remarked. “I prefer to worry about myself alone.”
“Forgive me, Kaedan, I spoke too early of you sounding bitter. Our Chand is the one with the greatest issues with love and matebonds,” Kariston said.
“I wonder if we could find a better use of our time and show our newest Council member that we have more to do with our day than argue like children about a topic with no clear winner,” Magus Superus Egann commented, his mouth pinched with annoyance.
“While I agree that we have much to discuss, I would prefer it if we did not resort to name-calling in this room,” Kaedan stated, his gaze narrowing at the ruler of the mages.
Killian wanted to keep the peace, and it took little for Egann to get a rise from Kaedan. The conceited mage was excellent at prodding Kaedan’s temper. Thankfully, those instances were rare enough to keep The Council from spiraling into madness, but no one liked the mornings when Egann riled everyone up.
“Since we are interested in moving on to Council business, I have a topic I wish to discuss,” Killian said. “Yesterday, we had the pleasure of adding the Vampyr Clutch to our government. Today, I want us to consider another alliance. Dravyn’s family. They are hiding from their kind. Their home fits their every need, but we could offer them the protection ofour people. King Aleksander and his fellow seven dragons also have a wish to aid others. They hope other odd dragons will find their way to their land. But they do not exist on any dragon map, so they lack a way to reach other dragons without endangering themselves. If we added Court D’Vaire to The Council, we could protect them and further their dream.”
“Do you think anyone would find an argument with adding your mate and his family to our Council?” Egidius asked. “Have you spoken with King Aleksander about the idea?”
“Not yet,” Killian confessed. “I would not offer or discuss an invitation from The Council without the permission of my fellow members.”
“How will we separate Court D’Vaire from the dragons pursuing us?” Egann asked. “If they had the ability to walk among our villages, they may cause terror.”
“Court D’Vaire has, what…eight dragons you said, Killian?” Conley inquired. “Drys and I have met King Aleksander, and despite the brief conference, I can assure you he is the noblest of men. They can be introduced to everyone at a dance. It is easy to recall the names and faces of eight dragons. However, it is imperative that we not use the name D’Vaire if we wish to protect them. They are hunted. Let us not give the rest of dragonkind any way to find them.”
“Agreed, and yes, there are eight of them,” Killian said. “The kindest and humblest people with no interest other than ensuring they survive and can aid other outcasts like themselves.”
“I could write to the few dragons I have corresponded with,” Kaedan suggested. “Perhaps those Kings know of outcast dragons needing a better situation, or they could keep the D’Vaires in mind should a future dragon needing a home arrive. It might be better for me to meet with these outcast dragons first, before we endanger the D’Vaires. They have endured muchsince the deaths of Drystan and Conley. We do not want to invite danger upon their doorstep, whether it be here in The Council or on their current plot of land.”
