Page 80 of D'Vaire or Nothing
This time, Heathcliff eagerly thrust his palm forward, and Brinley did the same. It made a loud slapping noise that forced chuckles from the crowd.
“Brynewielm Duke to Brynewielm Duke-mate. D’Vairefenix to ignis mage. Our blood has spilled, and our spirits have bonded. We ask Fate to grant us a mark from left shoulder to elbow so the world may bear witness we belong only to each other,” Heathcliff stated.
A horrible pain bit through the skin of his arm, but he grinned as his phoenix appeared on Brinley’s bicep. Heathcliff quickly glanced at his own artwork and found his beautiful mage wearing his crown along with the cloak he’d handed the ruler of the brown bears a minute ago.
“You won my heart,” Heathcliff told Brinley as he dragged him close. “I love you.”
“You pretty much stole mine. I love you too.”
Their lips met in a hard kiss as the crowd burst into applause. Although Heathcliff wanted to escape to his bedroom with Brinley immediately, they had a meal and dessert to get through first. Not that it would be a bad thing. Their family was wonderful, and the mood was festive.
“Everyone, thank you for being here with Brinley and I today,” Heathcliff said to their family as he kept Brinley in the circle of his arms. “Fate knew exactly what Brinley and I needed. That’s each other. But we’re thrilled that we’ll spend eternity with our beloved family. We appreciate how special you made today.”
“Yeah, the freesia was a nice surprise,” Brinley added with a chuckle.
“Fucking shit stinks.”
“Anyway, steak time?” Dra’Kaedan asked.
“Fuck that, it’s my day,” Brinley responded. “It’s cake first.”
Dra’Kaedan’s mouth dropped open, and he waited for someone—probably his mother—to object, but no one could tell Brinley how to celebrate his matebond, and Heathcliff was all for enjoying the sweet, then the savory.
“Yep, Brinley was born to be a D’Vaire,” Rafe remarked with a grin.
“So was Heath,” Kieran added. “And me.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let’s go cut the fucking cake!” Dra’Kaedan exclaimed.
“Damn right, someone give me a knife,” Brinley replied with a kiss for Heathcliff. The mage charged toward the house with the Grand Warlock hot on his heels.
Delighted with everything, Heathcliff laughed and chased after the man he loved.
Chapter 9
Pleasantly full and elated by the ceremony that had bound him to Heathcliff, Brinley strode into their bedroom wearing a smile. Between cake and steak, everyone in the household had switched out of their finery to jeans, which was a shame. Brinley had loved the way his cloak billowed behind him as he walked. But the gorgeous garment was now safely tucked away in his closet.
Flexing his hands since he wasn’t used to the weight of his new rings yet, Brinley turned to face Heathcliff. His beautiful Brynewielm Duke was delicious in faded denim and a deep blue T-shirt with the D’Vaire logo on it. There was a slight grin on his face that called attention to the scrollwork now dancing along his jaw and cheek.
If asked, Brinley would’ve happily vowed that nothing could make Heathcliff more handsome, but he’d been wrong. The addition of his marks from Fate and the earring at the top of his ear enhanced the iridescence of his hair and the remarkable silver eyes.
Brinley’s fingers itched to touch him, but something had been bothering him since their ceremony, and he wasn’t one to ignore anything in his brain, heart, or soul. In this case, itaffected all three, and Brinley wanted to walk into his future without regrets.
“What are you thinking?” Heathcliff asked, closing the distance between them to press a kiss to his cheek.
A happy sigh escaped Brinley, and he wrapped his arms around the tall shifter. “So, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the little speech Rafe made about me.”
“Was our High King not effusive enough in his praise?” Heathcliff teased as he nibbled along Brinley’s jaw. Ignoring the pretty shivers of desire coursing through him, Brinley reluctantly stepped away from the man he loved.
“No, he stood there and told everyone the details about my elemental. I’ve picked the color, design, and even the name of him. So, why the fuck am I waiting? Whatever I’m learning, he can practice with me. It’s not like they’d keep me from bringing him to magical classes with me; he enhances my power.”
Heathcliff beamed brightly. “You want to summon him now?”
“You were kind enough to have this room altered while I was working, so he has his little private fiery tower so he can amuse himself when you bite me,” Brinley said. “Is it okay if I delay the bed romping for a few minutes?”
“Of course, I want to meet your elemental.”
Brinley couldn’t stand the amount of excitement on Heathcliff’s face, so he rushed forward to give him a hard kiss. “I love you. I’m going to do this shit, okay?”
