Page 13 of Distinctly Daray
“I didn’t look. I liked these.”
“Victor has always gone his way,” his mother commented. “He has run afoul of Fate; that is why she has not brought him a nice girl yet. At this rate, he will never have children.”
In no mood to defend his sexuality or his lack of interest in adding to the already heavily populated Antonov family tree,Victor opted for the question that would immediately get him kicked out of the kitchen.
“Mama, can I do anything to help?” Victor asked.
“Go on and greet your family,” his mother instructed. “I have everything under control in my own kitchen.”
Grateful for the escape, Victor walked through the house and into the backyard. Although there were bound to be Antonovs there too, they’d likely be shifted, and he’d be spared conversation. He’d found that the easiest way to do his duty as his parents’ son while preventing himself from experiencing undue stress. It wasn’t an ideal family situation, but his responsibility as an Antonov was far too ingrained for him to sever ties completely, though he had to admit he’d daydreamed about it.
∞∞∞
“We’ve strengthened the potion,” Chander said, handing Phillip the only thing that allowed him to spend time out of stasis.
Phillip drank deeply and closed his eyes. The concoction the wizards had created for him worked swiftly, and within seconds, his dragon stopped roaring in his head.
“Thank you,” Phillip replied and handed the empty bottle to Chander.
“Let’s hope we’ve made it strong enough that you can spend a little time with Keegan today,” Alaric stated.
With a nod, Phillip tried not to feel guilty that in the past few days since he’d met his mate, he’d barely spent more than a few minutes with the man. His beast grew uncontrollable almost immediately, and Phillip begged for stasis to protect everyone from a dragon entering his dorm.
“He is approaching,” Phillip remarked.
It was miraculous the way Phillip’s beast could recognize Keegan before the handsome fallen knight walked into the room, but he wished his beast wasn’t so obsessed with the man. If he could keep some semblance of control, Phillip could talk to Keegan instead of fighting an unruly dragon.
Keegan never had a chance to knock. Alaric opened the door and ushered the recruit with the pretty, dark red hair inside. Keegan’s smile bloomed, and it was like being bathed in sunshine. The floral scent Phillip already loved filled his senses, and he ignored the loud growl echoing through his head. As a sentinel, Phillip had lacked sexuality until he met Keegan, and it was irritating to suddenly have to deal with erections he couldn’t get rid of since he was never alone. Hopefully, the new potion would help.
“The potion is strong enough,” Phillip stated with relief. “My dragon is too muted to force an immediate shift.”
“Wonderful,” Chander replied. “Alaric and I will step out in the hallway to give you two some privacy. Knock on the door and I’ll come in to cast your stasis spell.”
“Thank you. I appreciate everything you do daily to aid me.”
“It is our pleasure,” Alaric assured him as he allowed Chander to step out into the hall in front of him.
The door shut, and Phillip faced Keegan. “Thank you for coming to visit me.”
Tiny little lines formed around his big brown eyes as Keegan’s grin deepened. “I’m glad for every invitation.”
Without the barrage of his chaotic dragon, Phillip was unsure how to act. He was rarely allowed to focus on himself. In the short few weeks since his resurrection, everything in his life had boiled down to dealing with his beast.
“Would you care to have a seat?”
“Sure,” Keegan said.
Phillip dropped onto his bed as Keegan lowered himself into a nearby chair. The fallen knight rubbed his palms on his black uniform pants. It was a sign of nerves. Phillip could empathize. He was also filled with awkwardness and panic.
“Are you enjoying your training?” Phillip asked.
“Absolutely,” Keegan replied. His smile fell, and he cleared his throat. “Sorry you can’t train yet.”
“It is less than ideal but not your fault,” Phillip remarked.
“Yeah. I’m still sorry.”
“You need not apologize. You are not to blame.”
