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“Yes, most of you are devoted to tasks of enormous importance that ensure you thrive as a court,” Killian remarked. “Does he wish to work with textiles, create delicious food, grow beautiful plants, or craft a perfect sword? Or does he wish to aid his King in matters of finance and trade? Or peruse tomes to increase his knowledge of the world? What is his fondest desire in life?”
“If the truth is told, we could use someone to better articulate the questions we have for any prospective dragons,” Aleksander commented.
“Or negotiate with sorcerers over how to find outcast dragons since Brogan is terrified of magick,” Madeline said with a snicker.
“I did not say I was afraid,” Brogan argued.
“Though he is,” Zane remarked.
Brogan pursed his lips but refused to quarrel further, much to Dravyn’s relief. He was curious about Duke Macardle and wanted Killian and his friends to discover more about the man. Although the world beyond D’Vaire was plagued by various evils, Dravyn was unopposed to finding like-minded people to join his family.
“Perhaps the Grand Warlock and the rest of the group going to meet Duke Macardle could aid with learning further about the man,” Aleksander suggested. “I only rest this responsibility on your shoulders, Killian, for I know not what else to ask him.”
“We are happy to interrogate him as much as necessary. The last thing I want is to bring anyone close to your land without knowing in my heart that they can be trusted,” Killian assured Aleksander. “Whenever Duke Macardle is available, we will move forward with the proposal to have him join your court. But the final say is in your hands.”
“Thank you for meeting with him today,” Dravyn told his mate and kissed his cheek. “It was kind of you and the Grand Warlock.”
“Kaedan is an incredible leader, and you can trust that he will do nothing to endanger you,” Killian said, pushing a lock of Dravyn’s hair behind his ear.
“Yes, we are just forced to trust a stranger to decide about whether another stranger is fit to move into our house,” Brogan muttered.
“I can meet Duke Macardle,” Dravyn replied. “We do not use the name D’Vaire in The Council. The leaders know who we are, but no one else does. They would not share it with any stranger. He would not know from which court I hail.”
“While it may seem foolish to shield such a strong man, I am,” Killian said. “Give me another chance to learn about his situation before you meet him. One word in the wrong ear and everything you D’Vaires have worked for is gone. Your refusal to join The Council has the benefit of keeping your name protected. Let us keep it that way for as long as possible.”
“Thank you for understanding,” Aleksander responded as a wave of guilt swept through Dravyn. Joining The Council wasn’t right for the D’Vaires, but that didn’t mean he waspleased to have disappointed Killian. Mercifully, their sleeping arrangements were working out perfectly, and Dravyn hoped that the future would see them slowly combining even more of their lives.
“I will report back after I have gained answers. If any additional questions come to mind, let Dray know. He has magical parchment and can always contact me in an instant.”
“We appreciate you,” Noirin said. “Now, finish your meal. I did not cook today so everyone could talk and not fill their bellies.”
Immediately picking up a piece of soft bread, Dravyn gave his attention to his platter. He planned to personally show his gratitude to Killian once they were alone. Dravyn supposed extra kisses and perhaps taking Killian’s cock into his mouth would be gift enough for them both. With an internal grin, Dravyn mused he could find numerous delicious ways to touch Killian if he and his dragon were unsure they were doing enough to appreciate the remarkable druid they loved. It was absolutely no hardship.
Chapter 33
The tribal beat of the drums sank through Dravyn’s skin and down to his bones. If he had ever learned to dance, he would’ve run to join the others moving their bodies to the music. Smiles wreathed their faces, and Dravyn was proud that the leaders of The Council insisted on this monthly gathering. It was readily apparent how it raised the spirits of the people so haunted by the regular tragedies they endured.
Alone on the slightly raised altar where the sorcerers had conjured seats for every leader, Dravyn sat and allowed his attention to drift to the man who’d captured his heart. Killian’s bare feet moved gracefully through the leaves and petals his magick had summoned as he produced massive amounts of food to feed their flock.
Killian was in nothing but a gilded crown and low-slung braies the color of Dravyn’s dragon, and both man and beast were mesmerized by the vine-covered druid. Lust was swimming through Dravyn’s veins, and he cared not that he was at a festival. Since he had no intention of standing and alerting anyone to his half-hard cock, Dravyn stared unabashedly at Killian. The man was a miracle.
Somehow, Fate had looked directly into Dravyn and understood what he needed. Killian was kind and thoughtful and shared Dravyn’s immense interest in all living things. With Killian at his side, Dravyn had finally embraced the peace he’d dreamed of the day he arrived at the new Court D’Vaire.
Both King Ethelin and Imperial Duke Bernal had left deep scars in Dravyn. Killian had healed the outward ones, but Dravyn could not forget how the first two and a half centuries had played out or the way he had been terrorized. Thanks to the quiet but persistent feeling of home the D’Vaires had created and the stunning druid dancing through a row of apple trees, Dravyn was growing more confident in himself with each passing hour.
Feeling strong was new to Dravyn, but he and his dragon had embraced it fully. Aleksander hadn’t tossed him out into the garden and forgotten him. Although Aleksander was damaged and was learning as he went how to be a King, he trusted his Dukes and Duchess. As for Killian, Dravyn’s mate was a skilled leader and could produce a far grander garden in an hour than Dravyn could accomplish in a decade of toiling, but he treated him as an equal.
Instead of demanding Fate explain why Dravyn was so lucky to have such a beautiful and impressive mate, he invested his energy into improving himself and tending as best he could to the other half of his soul. As if Killian knew he was on Dravyn’s mind, he turned and smiled in a secret way that left no doubt that Dravyn would be loved thoroughly before the sun rose.
His duties apparently complete, Killian strode toward where Dravyn was seated. With a sudden need to hide the tenting of his hose, Dravyn dragged his cloak over his lap and nearly swore at the wave of sensation that act sent through him.
Without a word, Killian settled on the seat of vines he’d created for two and cupped the back of Dravyn’s neck. Their lips met, and Killian’s kiss was neither tender nor sweet. It was a full-on mating of tongues and added more flicks of flame to Dravyn’s growing desire.
Dravyn had nearly given up any thought of where they were and started stripping off his clothes to the cool night sky, but Killian pulled away and grinned.
“Dray, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
