Page 66 of Distinctly Daray
“Should we take Phillip and Keegan to Council Headquarters and eat in the cafeteria?” Victor asked.
“I think it would better benefit the Sentinel Brotherhood if we waited until their titles were official and they were wearing their new uniforms,” Dudley stated.
“Oh, good point,” Victor replied. “The little sandwich shop we like?”
“A sandwich sounds good,” Keegan enthused. “Phillip, what do you think?”
“I enjoy sandwiches.”
“Me too,” Dudley remarked.
“Yes, I want to go too,” Evergreen commented, slapping a hand on his hip. “Not that anyone cares.”
Victor smiled. “Rough morning?”
“What Monday isn’t?” Evergreen asked. “I swear everyone in the Council spends their weekend thinking of all the things they want to do to annoy office managers everywhere. Gather in everyone, and I’ll teleport us to the nearest Dérive station.”
Dérive was a company founded by Killian the Dwyer, the ruler of the druids, and their principal mission was to offer teleportations to whoever needed them. To facilitate their jobs, the druids had placed stations throughout the Council, and they were available for use by everyone so no one popped onto a busy sidewalk and startled any poor soul who happened to be nearby.
Although Keegan preferred to use his own ability to teleport, he was grateful for Evergreen’s sorcery. It allowed Victor to flash from one spot to another—a skill he unfortunately lacked as a shifter. As far as Keegan was concerned, magic wasthe only thing Victor didn’t have, and that didn’t bother him one damn bit. Victor was phenomenal, and so was his beautiful cat.
Their little group arrived at the Dérive station thanks to Evergreen, and Dudley led them swiftly to a pretty cafe decorated in blues and greens. The floors were thick wooden slats, and Keegan liked the elegant wall sconces. They complemented the enormous wall of antique mirror squares. A polite host led them to a giant booth with a thick linen tablecloth.
“This is nice,” Keegan said.
“I’m glad you like it,” Victor replied. “It’s owned by Henry Gennevios. He’s part of our extended D’Vaire family. You’ll get to meet him soon. We’re overdue to visit the D’Vaires, but everyone wanted to give us time to get to know one another.”
“I can’t wait for the next D’Vaire weekend,” Evergreen enthused. “You guys will love it.”
“It is a peaceful place to shift,” Phillip remarked. “I look forward to a lengthier visit and to meet everyone you consider family, Victor.”
A strange expression crossed Victor’s face, and he bowed his head to give his attention to the menu.
Evergreen gasped and slapped Victor’s arm. “You haven’t talked to the Antonovs yet, have you? Oh shit, how did we miss talking about this?”
“The server is heading over; let’s figure out what we’re going to eat. Then we’ll talk about the Antonovs.”
Keegan was so stunned Victor had a secret that he picked a sandwich at random. Picking up on his surprise, Phillip laid a palm on Keegan’s thigh to soothe him.
“Sparkles, you are entitled to speak about what you wish and on your own timetable,” Phillip stated calmly once their server walked away.
“No, this is silly, and I’ve been so focused on happy things that I ignored this conversation for far too long,” Victor said. “I’m an Antonov-Daray. The Antonovs are my birth family. And no, I haven’t told them I’ve met my mates. It’s not because I’m ashamed of you two. The truth is, I’d be surprised if any of the Antonovs were supportive. They don’t approve of same-sex relationships.”
“Nor have they ever approved of their gay son,” Evergreen added with a look of pure disgust. “Victor is a wonderful person. He’s kind, caring, eager to help anyone, and loves so damn fiercely as long as you have his trust. But his fucking family only sees him as the gay son with the weird clothes.”
Phillip frowned severely. “What is wrong with your clothes?”
“Yeah, this I want to hear because I fucking love your clothes,” Keegan commented. It sickened Keegan to think of Victor being subjected to anyone who disapproved of him, and the fact that they were discussing his biological relatives made it that much more distasteful.
“To the Antonovs, my clothes are too loud and not suitable for a man,” Victor replied, his mouth twisting as he shrugged. “And when I visit them, I try to pick out the most normal stuff I own.”
“I am sorry they do not accept you exactly as you are,” Phillip said.
“Me too,” Keegan added. “Phillip and I love that you sparkle. It’s part of who you are, and your self-expression is one of the many things I find beautiful about you.”
“He barely wears any make-up either,” Evergreen confided with a pointed look of disapproval for the cat shifter Keegan adored.
“Hey, I used to skip applying any,” Victor argued. “I’ve come a long way since I was eighteen. The Darays love me theway I am, and my confidence has grown. Mostly I tame my looks so I don’t have to deal with as many comments from them. And thankfully, they mostly ignore the way I differ these days. I think they grew tired of repeating themselves.”
