Page 87 of Distinctly Daray
The phoenix tribe Heath had grown up in was led by a leader Keegan could only describe as evil. It’d been a customary and brutal practice within that tribe to make the phoenixes drink a vile tea that forced them to prove their immortality. The concoction literally destroyed the man or woman, leaving the phoenix behind. Within a couple of days to weeks, the person was restored but rarely intact.
Heath had survived twice, but it had robbed him of his memories. When the tea was forced down his younger brother Kieran’s throat, it was Heath who’d called the D’Vaires to rescue him. Thanks to Sorcery D’Vaire, a cure was figured out before Kieran’s memories of his matebond with warlock Scheredin D’Vaire were lost. The tribe had been hunted by the sentinels, and the leader was punished with death.
As for the remaining phoenixes, they were now led by Emperor Ellery Draconis and called themselvesAlderfenixesin the dragon shifter’s honor. Keegan was glad Heath had found a place where he no longer had to live in fear and his status as a warrior was not forgotten. The D’Vaires had made him a Duke, and if his determination to defeat Keegan was any sign, it was a well-deserved title.
As if he’d read Keegan’s mind, Heath spun in a tight circle and shot out his arms in quick succession. Keegan did his best to fend off the attack but was caught flat-footed. Sensing that he was off balance, Heath kicked out and landed a blow on the back of Keegan’s knee. The air whooshed out of his lungs as he hit the dirt.
“Smile so your mate doesn’t come over here and murder me,” Heath rushed out as he held out a hand to help Keegan up.
Keegan burst into laughter. “I like you, Heath.”
“Thanks for the chuckles. I’d like to live long enough to meet my mate.”
“Since you’re being so nice to me, I’ll ask Fate to move you closer to the top of the list later,” Keegan teased as he stood.
“I’m not necessarily in the biggest rush, but I have a single condition. He must love D’Vaire.”
“Oh, of course. Hopefully that’s a given.”
Heath’s gaze traveled across the many people enjoying themselves in the backyard, and his expression was impossible to read. “I didn’t know I could be truly, honestly happy until I was given a room here. This place has become a part of who I am. My brother is here. He’s my best friend. I love him. I love everyone else here like they, too, are my brothers and sisters. If I ever had to leave, it would be like losing an essential part of my soul.”
Keegan’s eyes went directly to Phillip, and he thought of Victor in the mansion. “I understand exactly how you feel. Don't worry. I’ll tell Fate you can’t leave.”
“Thanks, now should I try to kill you again?”
“Go for it.”
Chapter 29
The television was on, but Phillip wasn’t paying much attention to the true crime story slowly unraveling on the screen. It wasn’t that he didn’t find the program interesting. On the contrary, Phillip generally found investigations, or anything related to his work, fascinating. But he couldn’t settle down.
Or more accurately, Phillip’s dragon was edgy. With a beast inside him constantly perched on a teetering precipice of intense concern, it’d been a struggle to find balance from the start of Phillip’s life. But in recent weeks, Phillip had nearly forgotten those first days of drinking potions and asking for stasis.
Falling in love had changed Phillip. The two men in Phillip’s life were adored by both him and his beast. However, Phillip constantly paid attention to his dragon, and he’d learned the beast was protective of Keegan and Victor.
When they were close, Phillip had no anxiety. But the moment they left the room, it was as if an hourglass was turned over. Phillip had a matter of hours before he was forced to give up control to a beast who was desperate to shift and scour the planet for Victor and Keegan. Thankfully, Phillip was surrounded by understanding people, and he didn’t want todrive his dragon wild. So, the moment Phillip grew jittery, he sought his mates.
As the days since Phillip met Victor and Keegan swelled, he’d been determined to discover how to best manage his unique predicament. He didn’t want to be a burden on anyone or request special treatment. Which was why Phillip tested his limits and catalogued every nugget of information he could about his dragon’s reactions.
The interesting thing he’d noted was that the dragon’s concern was inconsistent with his mates. It’d grown apparent following Keegan’s graduation. Phillip was rarely without Keegan. They worked together the entire day, and they were joined by Victor in the evenings. And the three never slept apart.
As long as Phillip checked in with Victor regularly, the dragon remained calm. It helped that Phillip and Keegan worked from home, so they were separated from Victor for just the afternoon hours. The dragon was far different when it came to Keegan. Tonight was a perfect example.
Phillip sat on the couch pretending to watch the television. Victor was on the bed across the room arguing good-naturedly with Evergreen via a video call about the last book they’d both read. Victor and Evergreen had vastly different opinions on what they’d enjoyed and disliked about the romance and the two main characters. It pleased Phillip to hear the conviction in Victor’s voice, and he loved that his mate had grown so emotionally attached to the story that he was defending his points with passion.
Victor had proven himself to be someone who saw little point in doing things halfway. If he was cleaning the house, he left no speck of dust behind. Every meal he made was prepared to ensure the Darays would enjoy it, and Victor even threw himself into his hobbies with gusto.
With Victor nearby, Phillip’s dragon should’ve had some semblance of calm. But Keegan wasn’t home, and Phillip didn’t know where to find him. The fallen knight had met up with the friends he’d made training at the Ascension Center to catch up on their lives. Phillip assumed they’d chosen some bar or restaurant to visit, but he hadn’t interrogated Keegan about it.
Keegan was a grown man and could go where he pleased. Phillip wished someone would explain that to his damn dragon. The beast was restless and had been for the past hour, which was ridiculous. While Keegan had skipped dinner with the Darays, Phillip had dropped his fork and plate into the dishwasher a mere thirty minutes ago.
The fallen knight hadn’t been gone that long. Phillip’s dragon wanted him to scour the globe for Keegan and demand the man come home immediately, but the sentinel had no intention of giving in to the absurd request. It was always like this on the rare occasions when Phillip was far from Keegan’s side.
Victor glanced at Phillip, and the smile on his face died. Phillip quickly looked away to avoid allowing Victor to figure out what was going on in his mind, but he hadn’t moved fast enough. With a jaunty wave, Victor ended his call and sashayed on shapely legs toward Phillip. He sat next to him and took Phillip’s clammy hand.
“What’s wrong, Spicy?”
“This is stupid,” Phillip muttered.
