Becoming D'Vaire (D'Vaire, Book 11)

by Jessamyn Kingley

  “You can tell we don’t get out much—we’re all standing here in a clump,” Aleksander’s brother, Worth stated. He was at Aleksander’s side, and if he wasn’t wearing a pink tie for his dragon and missing a silver crown, they could almost be twins.

  “Who cares? We’re probably way more fun than half the people in here,” Carter retorted.

  “That’s true,” Duke Dravyn responded quietly.

  “You guys gotta live a little,” Duff urged. “I’m going to go mingle.”

  The Kellas cat shifter strode off, and Grigori lost sight of him in the ballroom. Even though there was always the threat of danger due to the missing Latarian, there was a plethora of fallen knights and sentinels attending. Since the Emperor was in attendance, there were also tons of black dragons floating around. No one was going to come to any harm as they rejoiced over the new darkfallen.

  “Hey, don’t these things suck?” Chander asked as he joined them in their corner of the room.

  “The room looks lovely,” Saura argued.

  “I am afraid Chand has zero decorating sense,” Alaric confided. “You should have seen his apartment when we met. It was hideous.”

  Chander shrugged. “I can’t really argue with that. You were the only good-looking thing in it.”

  “Excuse me, I was there,” Daemon Lord Baxter interjected. “So was Ben, and nothing’s hotter than him.”

  His mate, Daemon Lord Benton Daray, rolled his eyes. “He’s never going to agree with you.”

  “What the fuck?” Chander blurted out.

  At Grigori’s side, Dravyn’s back stiffened as they all turned to figure out what had the Arch Lich’s attention across the room.

  “Oh, he came,” Saura said on a sigh.

  “How in the hell did you get Killian the Dwyer out of his tree?” Chander demanded.

  She leaned closer to Chander and grinned. “Easy. I invited him.”

  “I know, I sent the note with you. I just didn’t believe it would ever fucking work,” Chander retorted.

  Killian the Dwyer’s appearance in the ballroom did not go unnoticed. People split down the middle of the room as he tracked across it. He was headed directly for the D’Vaires.

  “He’s a really fucking powerful druid,” Delaney said.

  Chander’s head nodded slowly. “At least twice as powerful as the last time I saw him. I wonder if this is the first time he’s left his plants.”

  Druids who stayed in touch with living things which were so integral to their magic pool could increase their strength. When Killian the Dwyer arrived in front of them, his eyes—an interesting swirl of earthy brown and green flecked with gold—skimmed over several of their faces. It was strange when they landed on Dravyn’s for nearly a full minute before he returned his attention to Saura and T’Eirick.

  “Lichpriestess. Lichpriest. Welcome back to the Council,” Killian the Dwyer said as he lifted his arm from his voluminous forest green cloak to greet them.

  Saura grabbed his hand and wrapped both of hers around it. Her blue eyes grew misty. “Killian, thank you. You gave my son’s people dignity. I know it came at a great cost to you, and I’ll be forever in your debt. The gold Fate has put in your eyes is quite incredible and wasn’t there the last time we spoke.”

  His jaw clenched, and his lashes fell to his cheeks. “Saura, I should have done more. If I had, maybe—” The words were choked off as he swallowed audibly.

  “There was nothing that could’ve changed the course of history,” T’Eirick told him. “The druids would have suffered alongside us. We were glad Chieftain Aniernan and Chieftess Taliya only managed to destroy one race instead of the entire Council. Look around you, and see how everyone has flourished.”

  “I’m afraid I cannot agree. Had we banded together, the Coven of Warlocks wouldn’t have been nearly exterminated. I failed you after the ink was barely dry on our alliance. For that you have my apology,” Killian the Dwyer said as he extricated himself from Saura’s grasp. “The Council is going to benefit greatly now that you’ve returned. I’m sorry, I have to go.”

  The words were barely out of his mouth before the druid gave one last strange glance at Dravyn, then shimmered out of the room.

  “That man has tortured himself for the last six centuries,” Saura declared.

  “He was such a good friend. One I miss terribly,” Chander remarked sadly. “We disagreed over his choice to give the leadership of the druids over to his sister. We’ve barely spoken since.”

  Saura straightened her spine. “Well, Chand, it looks like we need to devote some time and effort to pulling a druid out of a tree.”

  “A really fucking powerful one. I wonder how Aloisa feels about having a brother with more than twice as much as her. She certainly doesn’t have any gold in her eyes,” Chander agreed.

  Grigori wondered over the lingering looks between Killian and Dravyn, then shrugged it off. The D’Vaire duke was handsome like the rest of his family. It made sense Killian would notice, but he’d stared at a man who wasn’t gay. Setting that aside, Grigori hoped Saura and Chander were able to get Killian around more. The man was obviously tortured over the past. He was the one to clean up the mess the Cwylld had made, and he’d personally lit every warlock funeral pyre. It could not be easy to scrub away those memories.

  “Want to grab some munchies?” Delaney asked, pulling Grigori out of his thoughts.

  “Let’s see if we can find any cookies for Greggory.”

  “Like he doesn’t eat enough of them,” Delaney remarked as they headed for the food tables. Grigori’s palms were dry, and they would stay that way as long as he focused on the gorgeous man at his side.

  Chapter 37

  Grigori stood in his bedroom and pulled on his jacket. He was dressed in all black since Delaney would be wearing the same. They were heading to one of his brother’s vampire clubs for the night, and he was trying his best not to get hard at the thought of it. Only a little more than a handful of people were attending.

  One of the D’Vaires going with them was Duff, which surprised Grigori. Delaney had confessed that he’d only agreed because it would mean for one night a sentinel wouldn’t have to take time out of his schedule to guard the shifter. Mac would be looking out for them for the evening and along with Idris, they were bringing his brother, Carter.

  Nikolai had enough security to ease Mac’s worries, so they decided against anyone else going with them. That delighted Grigori; he wanted to be able to enjoy his time with Delaney and enjoy his reaction to the environment, not focus on entertaining a large group of family. He wanted his face to bloom with color when the aphrodisiac in his drink hit his bloodstream, then make love to him. As if he could hear his thoughts, the door to the bathroom swung open to reveal Delaney.

  He was wearing black dragonskin pants that laced up the front and a sweater in the same color. Calling it a sweater was being generous. There were large loops holding it together, but more skin showed than was concealed. The only hints of modesty were two thick stripes of cloth, one across his chest and another over his midsection. With the rubies of his collar twinkling in the light, Grigori didn’t think Delaney had ever looked more delicious while still clothed, which he didn’t hesitate to tell him.

  “Thanks, you look good too.”

  “Kiss me,” Grigori demanded as he reached for him.

  The wizard stepped out of reach and strode toward the door after grabbing one of Grigori’s hands. “Nope, I recognize that look. We won’t ever leave.”

  Grigori didn’t argue. Delaney was right, so he allowed himself to be dragged out into the hall. They were met by everyone else who was going out for the night. Idris was dressed similarly to Delaney, only his top was indigo and showed less skin. The other three men were attired like Grigori, but Duff had left off the jacket.

  “Ready?” Mac asked. They all assured him they were and within minutes, they were driving off to one of the magical stations the druids used to teleport groups of people a
round. With three shifters in their group, there was no other way to quickly get to Las Vegas. The warlocks in their family were willing to take them, but no one wanted to disrupt their evenings.

  As soon as they arrived at their destination, a druid ported them, and they walked the short distance to Nikolai’s upscale club. The Volkovs wouldn’t be joining them, and Grigori was happy. He didn’t want to get all freaky with Delaney as his parents watched. Anything went with vampires, but it just did not sit well with him. He would find the time to adjust to being at a club with his family at some distant point in the future.

  “Lord Grigori, High Arcanist, welcome to Divine Ichor. If the rest of your guests will allow me to swipe their cards, we can have someone escort you to the Volkov balcony,” the security guard at the door said as soon as he spotted them. The news of Grigori’s matebond ceremony had made its way through the Vampyr Clutch, and so he wasn’t surprised they addressed Delaney correctly. The four men with them swiped their IDs and were greeted properly; then they wound their way up to the second floor where Nikolai kept a large table for his family and their guests.

  “Can I get drinks for you?” a waitress asked, appearing out of nowhere while they were getting into their seats. Grigori ordered two crimson craves for him and Delaney while the others chose normal beverages. Crimson crave was the strongest vampire aphrodisiac currently available, and he couldn’t wait until Delaney drank it.

  “I was expecting something different,” Duff said.

  “Like what?” Grigori asked as he scooted closer to Delaney and put a hand on one dragonskin-covered thigh.

  “I don’t know, I guess I was expecting like an orgy in the center of the room or something,” Duff explained with a shrug.

  “It’s much more tasteful than that,” Grigori replied as he let his gaze sweep over the space below. There were rooms aplenty, and he was sure there was an abundance of people inside enjoying the amenities in groups, but in view were vampires enjoying themselves. Many of the humans supplying blood were scantily clad, and plenty of vampires were wearing little attire as well.

  In one of the shadows, two men were preparing for sex and it caught Delaney’s eye too, because he whispered close to Grigori’s ear. “That vampire over there has his fingers buried in that guy’s ass, doesn’t he?”

  Grigori turned his head to find a pair of black eyes dancing with delight and a bit of lust. “Yep.”

  Their waitress materialized again and set their drinks down. Delaney picked his up and handed Grigori’s to him. Then he clinked them together and gulped down the entire glass. He set it back on the table with a clink. “I mean business,” he told Grigori.

  “I see that,” Grigori responded with a chuckle. He decided sipping was a better idea than dumping it into his system. Turning his attention back to the club, he slid his hand a little higher on Delaney’s leg and squeezed. It didn’t matter what he was drinking, the wizard himself was intoxicating enough.

  The two men who were the center of his attention before had disappeared. Grigori guessed they’d decided to finish behind closed doors.

  “So Grigori, the last club I was at used the lavender-and-vanilla scented wizard potion to sanitize and clean the rooms available for sex. What do vampires use?” Idris asked.

  His lips curved. “Roses, of course. The ones behind us belong to the Volkovs, and you’re all welcome to use them,” he said. His eyes met Delaney’s. “The one in the middle is ours. Nikolai had it decorated for us.”

  “Good,” Delaney responded. He put his hand over Grigori’s and slid both of their palms high enough that there was one perfect ball touching his pinky.

  “How was your drink?” he asked Delaney.

  “Delicious. You should finish yours.”

  Grigori was only about halfway through it, but they’d just arrived at the club. “I’m getting there.”

  “There are three people making out together down there. Don’t you think that’s hot, Del?” Duff asked.

  Delaney angled his neck to get a peek. “Be hotter if it was three guys.”

  “I like the music here, it’s unobtrusive,” Carter observed. “Better than the ear pounding you get at regular clubs, but still loud enough so you don’t hear what’s going on when people get freaky.”

  “At least we know why vampires keep these so secret. They’d be packed if everyone was allowed in,” Mac added.

  “I like that it’s dark enough so that even if you are in public view, there’s still some privacy if you want it. All you have to do is pick one of the sofas not under a light,” Idris said.

  “I like Grigori,” Delaney announced. “But I want him to finish his drink.”

  Being a dutiful mate was important, so Grigori polished off what was left in his glass. He’d barely set it down when the sexy wizard got out of his chair and straddled Grigori. “Hello, Delsaurus.”

  Delaney didn’t answer; he sealed their mouths together. He didn’t tease or play—it was a ravenous kiss and one that was a prelude to great sex. Sliding his hands under the almost-sweater, he roamed downward to squeeze Delaney’s perfect ass. After moving his palms back up, he pulled away slightly to tug the top over his head and bared Delaney’s chest.

  They stared at one another, and Grigori loved that his cheeks were already flushed. It was his fantasy coming to life: Delaney wearing nothing but his dragonskin pants and his thick collar. The little bit of light where they were seated managed to play off the two roses with the small bud on his left arm above the ten circles he’d earned as a wizard. There was no one as gorgeous as his man.

  The world around them disappeared as the crimson crave took over Grigori’s normally intelligent brain. All he wanted to think about was being buried inside Delaney. The wizard was on the same page. Heedless of any audience they might have, his tongue stabbed through Grigori’s lips and they made out in earnest. Grigori cupped Delaney’s ass again and shoved him forward so their hardening cocks could touch.

  “Wow,” he heard one of their companions say in an awed voice. He was too trapped in lust to recognize the voice.

  It didn’t get any better when Delaney ended the kiss and murmured next to his ear, “I’m wearing the plug.”

  “Get up,” he ordered. Delaney scrambled to his feet, and Grigori grabbed his hand.

  “Going somewhere?” Idris asked with fake innocence as they moved away from the table.

  “Enjoy your evening, gentlemen,” Grigori offered as Delaney snickered behind him. It was only a few steps to the room his brother gave them. Somehow, he managed to get his identification card out to slide it into the lock while Delaney plastered himself to his back. A dick poking him wasn’t helping anything, but he managed to get them inside.

  He smiled at the room Nikolai designed. It was almost all black; even the enormous four-poster bed was painted in Delaney’s favorite color. The only break was the red silk bedding and one plush velvet bench. Grigori tossed Delaney’s top onto the crimson seat and shrugged off his jacket. He turned to find his arms full of a horny wizard, but he pushed him back.

  “Take off your clothes,” Grigori demanded as he unbuttoned his shirt. “I want you to grab one of those big wooden posts on that massive bed so I can fuck you. Don’t you put a hand on that fat cock of yours. I’m going to stroke you so good.”

  As Grigori divested himself of his own clothing, he watched with greedy eyes as Delaney bared the rest of his skin. Once he was naked, he walked over and did exactly as he was told. The black base of his butt plug enticed Grigori and he realized he’d left out a crucial detail. Since he was still in the process of ripping off his shoes and socks, he said, “Delsaurus, see if there’s some lube in that nightstand.”

  Delaney released the bedpost, and his face was incredulous. “There damn well better be,” he growled as he strode over to find it. Seconds later, he raised a bottle high. “Found it.”

  “Thank Fate,” Grigori muttered as he finally got to shove his pants and underwear to the floor. He t
ook the few steps that separated them and took the lube from Delaney. Without any prompting, the wizard reclaimed his previous position.

  Grigori smiled as he coasted a hand over one ass cheek and toyed with the plug, which caused a moan to rumble out of his mate.

  “Pull it out and fuck me,” Delaney demanded. Since Grigori was on the same page as Delaney and wondering why he decided to go with such a strong aphrodisiac since he wanted to enjoy his evening in the club, he carefully freed it.

  After warming some lube, he covered his cock in it, then spread it around and inside Delaney’s hole. The wizard rocked up onto his toes and once again moaned his desire. Grigori tossed the bottle onto the bed and grabbed his dick. Lining himself up, he slowly slid into Delaney. “How are you always so wonderfully fucking tight?” he gritted out as his body screamed for release. The position he asked Delaney to get in made everything feel exquisitely intense.

  “I need you. I need you.”

  “I’m right here,” he assured him as he smoothed a hand over his rib cage. When he was finally fully seated, he wrapped one arm across Delaney’s belly and the other landed on his chest. His palm rested over one smooth pec, and he started rocking forward and back again.

  Delaney tilted his head toward Grigori as they moved in sync, both desperate to find their release. He did not want to tease or delay the driving need pounding through their veins, so Grigori slid his palm down from Delaney’s stomach to curl his fingers around his dick.

  “Yeeesssss,” Delaney groaned out as he jerked him.

  Grigori’s fangs elongated, and the desire for Delaney’s blood competed with his cock. They’d fed several times, and Grigori had not hurt him. It was exactly three minutes from the moment he started until the intoxication started. Knowing it would add to Delaney’s pleasure helped Grigori decide, so he licked right next to his black collar and sank his teeth into his neck.

  Delaney arched and slowed down the motion of his body, which allowed Grigori to not only drink but to enjoy being inside him longer. They fucked steadily, and he stroked Delaney’s cock until he shouted out his name. Every muscle stiffened, and his hole clamped tight on Grigori’s dick as his come erupted over his fist. It was just after Delaney climaxed that Grigori had an irresistible need to laugh.