Page 1 of D'Vaire or Nothing
King of Clubs
Chapter 1
Emperor Ellery Draconis lifted his chin and glanced around the indoor garden with delight. Although Court Draconis had a few hotels in Las Vegas, this one was a full resort called Deck of Cards, and Ellery had worked diligently with the architect to create a large but intimate space in the center of their newest property. It overflowed with unique plants created by the ruler of the druids, Killian the Dwyer, and his mate, Drindyr Duke Dravyn D’Vairedraconis.
Both men belonged to the High Draconis Court of D’Vaire, and their home was one of Ellery’s favorite places. In fact, it was second only to the bedroom Ellery shared with his other half, Emperor Chrysander Draconis. Ellery’s lips curved into a smile as he shifted to look at the tall dark-haired man at his side.
The dragon shifter who owned Ellery’s heart had his black gaze trained on the garden, and there was unmistakable pride on his handsome face. Since it was the middle of the afternoon and they’d popped in between meetings, Chrysander’s gold crown gleamed in the sunlight shining through the glass ceiling. It matched the gilded circle Fate had put around his irises when Chrysander was selected to rule the dragons as Emperor in 1369.
Once, Ellery also had matching perfect circles in his eyes. But months trapped in his dragon form thanks to a brutal poison had caused the metallic color to bleed through the green of his irises irregularly. It even stretched so there was a bit of gold in the white of one eye. Although Chrysander insisted it was beautiful, Ellery was less convinced.
Many years had passed since Ellery had spent months lounging in the D’Vaire backyard while a group of incredible sorcerers and shifters worked on a cure for him, and he rarely bothered to think of how his looks had changed. What he focused on was the way it had bound him to the D’Vaires and made them his family. Which was why he’d carefully planned the opening weekend for the new resort.
The rulers of D’Vaire rarely left their remote estate in Arizona, and that had everything to do with High King Aleksander’s agoraphobia. His other half, Rafe, was protective of Aleksander, and the two fought when his mate insisted on attending something in public. To avoid causing strife between the pair, Ellery had put together a private event.
For the weekend, the lone guests would be the entire extended D’Vaire clan. Through the years, the D’Vaires had expanded their family throughout the Council of Sorcery and Shifters, and once a month they gathered at Aleksander and Rafe’s mansion. The generosity of the D’Vaires wasn’t easy to match, so Ellery seized every opportunity to treat them in any way he could.
“Have Killian and Dray seen the completed garden?” Chrysander asked.
Ellery shook his head, and a warm wave of love swept through him as Chrysander gave his palm an affectionate squeeze. “I did not allow them to travel here during the construction of the garden. Their only view of the garden is fromthe plans we made on paper. I hope the finished product pleases them.”
“It’ll please everyone; it’s gorgeous.”
“Agreed,” Chrysander’s fraternal twin brother, Imperial Duke Damian Draconis, said from behind them. Damian oversaw security and famously never allowed Chrysander out of his sight when they were in public.
Ellery’s safety was also paramount to the Draconises, and Ducblanc Zane Draconis was as dedicated and vigilant as Damian. Neither Emperor was in danger thanks to Zane, Damian, and the lone sentinel in the immediate Draconis family, Dragon Lord Findlay D’Vaire. Rounding out the Draconis family of Dukes was another powerful dragon, Royal Duke Costas Draconis, but his expertise was in financial matters.
“I look forward to seeing it filled with our family,” Ellery said. “I believe everyone will enjoy the resort.”
“It was sweet of you to put a permanent table in the restaurant for Aleksander and Rafe to have a private meal together whenever they want,” Zane commented.
Damian lifted a dark brow. “What are the odds of Brogan allowing Aleksander and Rafe to have a date without him?”
Grand Duke Brogan D’Vairedraconis had been the Duke protecting the D’Vaires since the day Aleksander was first selected by Fate to be King, and he took his job seriously.
“At the very least, they will have a date tonight. What potential danger could find Aleksander and Rafe?” Ellery asked. “There will be no one but family and staff here.”
“I agree, but I also know Brogan,” Damian replied, his black gaze amused. “Most of the time, the only dangers around are the impossible fevered scenarios in his head.”
“Surely Dra’Kaedan will speak with him,” Ellery reasoned. If there was anyone who could reason with Brogan and his need to ensure everyone’s safety, even whenunnecessary, it was Brogan’s mate, Grand Warlock Dra’Kaedan D’Vaire. The fiery ruler of the warlocks was Brogan’s perfect match. Ellery didn’t understand their constant desire to argue, but their love was impossible to miss.
“Unless Dra’Kaedan distracts Brogan with a fight and make-up sex, I’d bet that Brogan will add himself to Aleksander and Rafe’s date,” Damian said.
“Well, we can intervene,” Chrysander suggested. “If Brogan shows up with our High Kings, we’ll have him seated at a separate table.”
“By himself?” Zane asked.
Chrysander shrugged. “If he invites himself on someone else’s date, I think he deserves to eat his meal alone.”
“Yeah, it wouldn’t be weird to have some overprotective dragon staring at you from a nearby table while you’re trying to have a romantic date,” Damian drawled.
“We can call someone to dine with Brogan,” Ellery decided. “My first choice would be Dra’Kaedan, but he may not want to attend. He grows annoyed when Brogan focuses intently on security, if it is not warranted. If Dra’Kaedan refuses to join Brogan, we have many other people to choose from. I will even sit with Brogan and force him to chat with me so Aleksander and Rafe can enjoy themselves.”
“If you and Chrys are there, Brogan won’t have any choice but to answer whatever questions you throw at him,” Damian said.
“What makes you think I’m joining this dinner party?” Chrysander asked. “Elle volunteered himself. I didn’t.”
Ellery fixed a firm stare on the man he loved. “As my mate, I would appreciate you joining me for a fine meal in the restaurant to distract the Grand Duke if necessary.”
