Page 93 of Distinctly Daray
“Do not be ridiculous, Sunshine,” Phillip said. “Of course we are.”
Grinning at his fabulous mates, Victor turned the car on to drive away from not just a house, but a past he should’ve left behind years ago. There were sure to be emotions to work through, but Victor had an incredible support system, and he thanked Fate for every person in his life who loved him unconditionally.
Chapter 31
In a cloak embroidered with sparkly thread, Phillip stood in the D’Vaire memorial garden and took a moment to appreciate Fate. If someone had told him a few months ago he’d be in love and his dragon would be an enamored beast delighted with life, he wouldn’t have believed it. But thanks to Fate and the supportive people surrounding him, Phillip had come a long way in a short time.
A freckly redhead with beautiful brown eyes grinned at Phillip, and he returned his smile. Meeting Keegan had put Phillip on his journey toward peace and happiness. But as he turned his head slightly to take in a blond with glittering gems accentuating his green gaze, Phillip knew that without Victor, his soul would still ache with want. Phillip needed them both, and his adoration for them grew daily.
As a sentinel, Phillip was ruled by honor. In a few minutes, he’d bind himself to Victor and Keegan. Phillip vowed silently to allow nothing to come before them and to do everything in his power to add to their joy. Together, they would face both pleasure and pain as they encountered future obstacles. But Phillip knew they’d be okay as long as they had each other.
His dragon roared with delight. If there was anyone more excited about today, it was his beast. Which was sweet but also fraught with danger. The beast was ready to claim his mates. To do that without pain, the three of them would have to be aroused. Getting naked with Victor and Keegan was easily at the very top of his list of favorite things to do, but thinking about erotic bliss grew uncomfortable rather swiftly since his dick hardened.
The last thing Phillip wanted was to walk around with an erection. At least he had a voluminous cloak. He’d tugged that thing around himself the moment he’d arrived in the garden so no one would catch if his cock stiffened—as it was currently trying its best to do thanks to the idea of nudity dancing in his head.
Victor’s brow lifted, and his lips curved in a secret smile.
Keegan chuckled.
Sometimes it was rather inconvenient to have two men so adept at reading his thoughts.
“Think about it later,” Victor whispered with a wink.
“Think about what later?” Alaric asked. Since Victor, Keegan, and Phillip had wanted the Lich Sentinel and Arch Lich to officiate their ceremony, the pair were decked out in their finest regalia as they stood a couple of feet away.
“It’s not important,” Victor replied.
“Then why did you mention it?” Alaric asked.
“I wasn’t talking to you,” Victor answered.
“We are standing close to you; of course I would overhear and be curious,” Alaric stated.
Chander elbowed Alaric. “Behave yourself; let’s not ruin the ceremony before it’s even started.”
Apparently unwilling to argue with the Arch Lich, Alaric nodded. “Should we begin?”
“Don’t ask me,” Chander retorted as he gestured toward Phillip, Victor, and Keegan. “Ask them.”
“We’re ready to start whenever you are,” Victor said.
Alaric bobbed his head again. “Ladies and gentlemen, the Arch Lich and I are delighted to preside over this ceremony today. We thank High Kings Rafe and Aleksander D’Vairedraconis for allowing us to borrow their usual duties to bind the souls of Cinder Lord Phillip Osdraconis-Daray, Cinder Lord Keegan Hayes-Daray, and Cinder Lord-mate Victor Antonov-Daray.
“This year, the Sentinel Brotherhood had a historical first when the Arch Lich resurrected a sentinel whose life started with a beast. It was not easy on Phillip, but he was undaunted by the task. In true sentinel fashion, he attacked his studies—despite missing out on the aid of teachers—and received a near-perfect score on a comprehensive exam. Although sentinels dislike standing out among our brethren, every man I was chosen by Fate to lead is uniquely proud to know Phillip, and his title of Cinder Lord is well-deserved.”
“It’s no secret to anyone that I often lose myself in the things I love and forget the world around me exists,” Chander said. “To combat the messiness of myself and my Daemon Lords, I reluctantly agreed to add a housekeeper to our home. An eighteen-year-old cat shifter showed up for an interview, and the Darays were forever changed. Victor burst into our home with vivacity, and every speck of dust trembled in fear. But the most important tool in his arsenal is his heart, and he opened it to us with no reservations. It’s Victor who soothes our hurts, lessens our frustrations, and ensures we’re taken care of. We wouldn’t be a family without him.”
“I complain about fallen knights,” Alaric stated. “But there are a few of them I am happy to call family. One of them is Keegan. His kindness is without limit, and like his mates, heis highly intelligent. Although the Order of the Fallen Knights would benefit greatly from a recent graduate with such high scores in both mental and physical aptitude, it is the Sentinel Brotherhood richer for his presence. And he puts up with our constant questions regarding anything technological. At home, Keegan is a joyful person we can count on for anything.”
“It would be remiss of us not to mention that every matebond is fraught with obstacles,” Chander commented. “Asking two people to combine their lives is no simple task, which is why throwing a third person into the mix raises the danger of failure. That meant nothing to Keegan, Phillip, and Victor. They ignored statistics and with good reason. They understood nothing matters more in a matebond than accepting that anything is possible.”
“Victor, Keegan, and Phillip have elected to adopt every tradition shared by D’Vaires, and we begin with one that predates not just our entire extended family but each of our populations,” Alaric remarked. “On a realm now lost, the Fae offered gifts to thev’airsell niollsbinding themselves before their goddess, Bétea. Noble Protector Drekkoril and Valiant Defender Daravius D’Vaire of the Fae continue this beautiful custom today. They have crafted a gift of pure sorcery and have asked Skeleton Lord Cassius and Skeleton Lord-mate Teverild Daray to present it.”
Phillip’s mouth nearly dropped in awe as Cassius and Teverild approached with a large statue of himself in dragon form with Keegan and Victor on his back. Victor was a gorgeous kitty, and Phillip was overwhelmed by the exactness the two Fae leaders had achieved. Phillip was grateful Teverild had temporarily handed his camera to his brother to snap a few shots of them with the statue; he wanted photos of every aspect of his ceremony.
“On behalf of the Fae, we wish you much joy and finest wishes on your union,” Teverild stated with a smile lighting up his cobalt gaze as Cassius beamed next to him.
“Thank you so much,” Victor enthused. “I can’t wait to find a home for this in our room.”
