Page 48 of Distinctly Daray
“I’m sure they’ll feel like family to him and Phillip soon, but not yet,” Chander retorted.
“It’s no use explaining it to him,” Arvandus said. “He’s clueless.”
“No sentinel is clueless,” Alaric stated firmly.
“We live with Bax; that argument isn’t going to fly,” Arvandus commented, his blue eyes twinkling with humor.
Before anyone could respond to Arvandus, a diminutive blond sorcerer and a tall dragon shifter popped into view. They wore jeans and T-shirts, and if Phillip’s spell had not immediately supplied him with their identity, he still would have recognized that they were men of some note. The Grand Warlock’s power was no small thing, and the Grand Duke held himself with the noble air of a strong dragon shifter.
“Hey, guys,” Dra’Kaedan said, then flashed a grin.
“Grand Warlock Dra’Kaedan D’Vaire and Grand Duke Brogan D’Vairedraconis, may I present the two most handsome men on the planet,” Victor said. “Next to me is the first dragon sentinel, Phillip Osdraconis, and on Phillip’s other side is a fallen knight set to graduate at the top of his class, Fallen Knight Rank One Keegan Hayes.”
“The top of most graduating classes,” Samson boasted proudly. “And Phillip has conquered his beast training without a single unforced shift—which shows his resilience and determination as it’s no small feat to start life with a fully fledged dragon.”
“We’re all in awe of you, Phillip,” Brogan remarked. “You too, Keegan. And, of course, we’ve wanted Victor to find his mate forever. We’re super excited that he has two, and from all the bragging the Darays are doing, things are going great.”
“They are, Your Grace,” Phillip replied. “Thank you for your kind words.”
“First thing we have to teach you, Phillip, is that we’re family,” Dra’Kaedan said. “So, don’t worry about any D’Vaire titles. We don’t use them at home. I’m sure Alaric forces you to call himLich Sentinelconstantly, but we’re more chill than he is.”
Alaric frowned. “None of my men call me Lich Sentinel. Neither does my family.”
“He probably makes Chand call him that when they’re alone,” Arvandus snickered.
“Please, in their bedroom it’s probably allYes, Arch Lichin between moans,” Dra’Kaedan teased.
“I would prefer if we did not spend the day speculating upon the things that happen behind the closed door of my bedroom,” Alaric stated.
“Which probably means you’re right, Dra’Kaedan,” Baxter said. He dissolved into laughter and leaned against Benton, who shoved him aside.
“Let’s get out of here before I have to punch someone,” Chander commented with a threatening glare for Baxter.
“Okay, close your eyes, people,” Dra’Kaedan instructed.
Phillip did as he was told and rubbed his thumb across Keegan’s hand. He hoped it added some comfort and eased the fallen knight’s nerves. The ground disappeared beneath Phillip’s feet for a heartbeat, then he was standing outside an enormous mansion with wooden double doors. Brogan pushed one open and waved the large group of Darays into the house.
With his mates at his sides, Phillip walked through a short hallway and into a magnificent space even larger than the one he’d just left. There were abundant seating options, and the couches and chairs were cream and boasted throw pillows in a wide array of colors. They were arranged around the centerpiece of the room, which was a two-story stone fireplace with animpressive wooden mantle littered with picture frames, thick candlesticks, and other artful objects.
But Phillip’s attention strayed immediately to two men standing between a pair of sentinel wolves. A man with straight black-and-blue hair stood several inches taller than Phillip, while his mate had similar dark tresses but in curly form. Their eyes had the distinctive silver circle near their irises that marked them as dragon Kings, but right alongside it was a gold one Fate usually only gave to Emperors.
The D’Vaire High Kings were the lone two dragons on the planet with both. It suited them, to Phillip’s mind, since High King Aleksander D’Vairedraconis was the world’s first bi-color dragon. Victor made quick work of the introductions, and Keegan reached out to shake hands with Aleksander and his other half, Rafe. The wolves—Nox and Mortis—watched with their tails wagging against the colorful area rug.
“Congratulations on your matebond,” High King Rafe said. “We’re looking forward to celebrating it with a D’Vaire weekend once Keegan has graduated and you guys can spend a few days with us relaxing.”
“Plus, their big-ass bed won’t be delivered until this week,” Dra’Kaedan added. “And yes, Mortis, they need that to hump.”
“Don’t encourage him to use that word,” Rafe muttered.
“It’s an honor that you wanted to have your first shift here at our home, Phillip,” Aleksander commented.
“We didn’t give him much choice,” Samson replied.
Phillip’s mouth quirked. “That does not make it any less of an honor for me, Your Highnesses.”
“Titles, man,” Dra’Kaedan said. “So unnecessary.”
“Before we force you to learn an exhaustive number of names and their titles, why don’t you head outside so you canrelax and shift,” Aleksander advised. “Jeremiah is already out there waiting for you.”
