Page 11 of Distinctly Daray
“Right,” Samson said. “Now, everyone get out of here so Phillip can meet Magister Duke Jeremiah D’Vairedraconis and work on his breathing exercises with me and B.”
“Chand and I will be right outside so he can put you in stasis the moment you feel you are losing control,” Alaric vowed as he led his mate out the door.
“Thank you. I appreciate the kindness of everyone who has aided me,” Phillip answered sincerely. He was grateful to be surrounded by so many people willing to help him, but he hated being a burden.
∞∞∞
Keegan walked behind Arvandus with purpose in every step. Although his training had been delayed by a few days, classes were underway, and Keegan was flourishing in both his mental and physical tests. While he was unlikely to achieve the titleof Venerable Knight, he’d undoubtedly land several promotions before he received his first assignment. Unless, of course, he continued his current trajectory and obtained the role of Juris Knight. Both scenarios filled him with pride and determination.
No matter what obstacles he faced in the coming weeks, Keegan was determined to make a statement with his test scores. Thankfully, he had few distractions. His resurrection had been first, which meant he was allowed to have the lone single dorm room, and while he enjoyed hanging out with the other four recruits, Keegan prioritized studying and pushing his physical abilities.
But today he was on a mission unrelated to the success he dearly wanted. There had been a lone sentinel resurrected on the same day as Keegan. But unlike Keegan, his path was far from clear. According to Keegan’s superiors, Phillip Osdraconis was struggling to find accord with his beast. Keegan hated to think of anyone stuck in the mire, so he’d suggested a visit to meet Phillip. The Venerable Knights had allowed Keegan to make his case directly to the Lich Sentinel, and Alaric had readily agreed to the plan.
Keegan needed to thank Phillip for his sacrifice of insisting the fallen knights be allowed to pursue their training without him. With the man stuck in the building for the foreseeable future, Keegan also wanted to offer him friendship. It would be easy for Keegan and his fellow recruits to make the quick journey to Phillip’s dorm to hang out with him in their free time if it’d help raise the sentinel’s spirits.
Their group paused in the hallway, and Arvandus rapped on a door. It opened, and everything in Keegan stilled. His heart thundered, and his blood rushed south to fill his groin. Keegan dearly hoped his erection was hidden in his uniform pants.
“Please come in,” the Lich Sentinel encouraged.
Somehow, Keegan got his booted feet into motion, and the scent of cinnamon filled his senses as his eyes landed on a gorgeous man with black hair hanging in his gray eyes—which were wide and fixed on Keegan’s face. The sentinel rose from his bunk slowly and took two steps toward Keegan. He had a few inches on Keegan’s five-foot-ten frame, and Keegan thanked Fate for somehow drawing him to the man’s side. Although Keegan had deemed himself unready for a mate, the sentinel was his other half.
“Hello, I’m Phillip.”
Keegan smiled and wondered why nerves filled him. “Hi, Phillip, I’m Keegan.”
“Your scent is floral, but I do not know enough about flowers to determine which one is the most accurate description of how you smell. I was allowed to go outside yesterday before I went into stasis. You remind me of the sunshine on my face.”
Flattered and overwhelmed, Keegan rubbed his sweaty palms together. He opened his mouth to respond but was stopped by a low growl.
“Phillip, take a deep breath,” Alaric stated firmly.
Lifting his hands to his head, Phillip made another guttural sound, and Keegan watched with horror as his skin rippled strangely. Keegan immediately wanted to soothe his gift from Fate. Reaching out, Keegan landed a hand on Phillip’s arm as the other fallen knights in the room gasped at his audacity. Sentinels were never to be touched. Keegan understood and respected that, but his mate was suffering.
To Keegan’s delight, Phillip lifted his chin slightly and his eyes met Keegan’s again. His smile was so small, Keegan nearly missed it.
“I am sorry,” Phillip said, then turned to the concerned sorcerer standing to his right. “I need stasis.”
In a flurry, Alaric assisted Phillip onto his bunk, and a wave of dark magic engulfed the sentinel. Keegan was forced to stand there, wondering what to do. His arm remained floating in midair, so he awkwardly lowered it to his side. Once Phillip was sleeping peacefully, locked in his magical spell, everyone turned to Keegan.
The Lich Sentinel pinned Keegan with his chartreuse gaze.
“He is your mate,” Alaric stated.
Keegan nodded. “Yes.”
Arvandus slapped Keegan’s shoulder good-naturedly as the other recruits burst into applause. His erection had wilted, and although Phillip’s scent lingered beautifully in the air, Keegan had no clue what to do. While he was happy to honor Fate, what did it mean for the future? Phillip’s beast had reacted strongly, and the last thing Keegan wanted was to be a deterrent to a man who was already struggling.
“Building a relationship with a mate made it considerably easier for VK Samson to control his dragon,” the Arch Lich said as if reading Keegan’s thoughts. “Are you willing to meet with Phillip again tomorrow?”
“Of course,” Keegan replied automatically, dearly hoping the Arch Lich was correct and that he could aid Phillip. He was also grateful for the day’s reprieve, giving him time before he would have to discuss anything with Phillip. That time would be useful for Keegan, allowing him to wrap his head around the incredible change in his life. Keegan sucked in a deep breath and memorized the face of the stunning man lying supine a few feet away. They belonged to each other.
It was a bond Keegan intended to honor. In fact, he was eager to learn everything he could about Phillip.
Chapter 5
Sunday rolled around, and Victor frowned as he rifled through his closet. It’d been several weeks since he’d gone to his parents’ house, and he’d run out of excuses to stay away. Although Victor cared for his biological family, he was a misfit. And none of them ever let him forget it. To keep the attention off himself as much as possible, Victor picked out a plain white shirt and a pair of khakis. The soft material of the pants and the wide cut made them a little floaty around his legs, but he decided if he paired them with loafers, it’d be fine.
Victor was no longer willing to disguise himself completely, so he’d already applied his make-up. It was simpler and less colorful than he would’ve chosen on any other day, but he refused to stifle himself completely to cater to the Antonovs. With a sigh, Victor changed out of the lounge pants and off-the-shoulder sweatshirt he’d put on to share breakfast with the Darays.
