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

by Jessamyn Kingley

  Chapter 42

  “Going somewhere?” Worth asked.

  Aleksander nodded at his middle brother and stretched out his back. He’d sat for too long in his chair. “My presence was requested in the Duke’s Den.”

  “There are so many secret cool club meetings in this house. Maybe I should become a spy. Off with you, Your Highness.”

  “You only call me that to annoy me,” Aleksander complained as he strode out of his office.

  “And when it stops working, I’ll quit.”

  He flipped Worth the bird, and his brother chuckled as he turned into the hallway. The last few days around the D’Vaire household had been full of activity. After Carvallius and Latarian died, Chander shadow walked with T’Eirick to make sure their plan was carried out. They reported that Carvil was all smiles as he explained that they had no problem holding the pair down and shoving the stones into them. The familiar was grateful that the two died so soon after each other, so they could all return to their otherworldly homes.

  To make sure their theory was correct that the Cwylld stones prevented the pair from leaving their side of the veil, Chander used a resurrection spell he could abort before the end and found himself unable to complete it. As the most powerful necromancer alive, it meant everything they’d worked toward was a success. Everyone was thrilled and relieved.

  The Duke’s Den was right across from his office, so it was only seconds after leaving Worth that he opened the door and strolled inside. Sitting at a round table were three dragons disguised as men and a tiny indigo one complete with wings doing some sort of strange growling from where he rested on Mac’s shoulder.

  “What’s wrong with Roger?” Aleksander asked as he grabbed a seat.

  “Believe it or not, I think he’s trying to sing. He’s been doing it since the funerals for T’Eirick and Saura. I guess he was inspired by all the sorcerers.”

  “I hate to tell you this Roger, but you’re tone-deaf,” Brogan said.

  Roger made a rougher, guttural sound. “I’m pretty sure he just told you to fuck off,” Dravyn remarked.

  Mac reached up and gave Roger a pat. “Okay, practice your songs later, buddy. I need to talk to Aleksander.”

  “What’s up?”

  “First, I want to apologize again for failing to keep Del safe that night at the club. You entrusted me with his safety, and I didn’t protect him.”

  Aleksander was annoyed and a host of other aggravated emotions at his newest duke’s words. He needed a moment or two to calm down, or he was going to shout a bunch of expletives. It was rare for Aleksander to lose his temper, but Mac had driven him crazy with apologies for weeks now. Blame hadn’t entered his mind, and he did not want Mac feeling guilty.

  Brogan—his best friend since they were teenagers—read his facial expression perfectly. “Mac, I told you to drop that shit. You’re the Dark Indigo Duke and you were doing your job. It’s not your fault Duff lured Del outside, and even though we insist on protecting them, he’s a powerful guy. He handled the situation perfectly, and you got there as quickly as you could.”

  “I should’ve brought at least one other person with me to guard the guys. Then Del wouldn’t have been alone with those fuckers.”

  “Mac, for your own sanity and everyone else’s, you need to let it go. What does Idris think?” Dravyn asked.

  Mac’s lips thinned. “He gets pissed whenever I bring it up.”

  “Your mate’s a smart man,” Aleksander stated. “Listen to him.”

  “Fine, I’ll let it go.”

  “Thank Fate,” Brogan replied with a roll of his eyes.

  “So, why are we having a meeting in here? Because I know Dray and Brogan didn’t agree to drag me in here so you could give me another unnecessary apology,” Aleksander inquired.

  “I wanted to talk to you without Worth around. He’s in your office most of the time,” Mac said.

  “Do you have a problem with my brother?”

  Mac’s lips curved. “Yeah, I think he’s earned a title you haven’t given him. I’d like to officially nominate him to be considered as a duke.”

  “You’re the one who bitched at me when we met about how D’Vaire has a ton of dukes for our size,” Aleksander said as he mulled over Mac’s suggestion.

  “You don’t need me to tell you how this works. If a dragon walks through the doors and he’s filling a needed role in direct support of his king, then he should be considered. His coloring is unusual but he’s strong. Worth has made himself invaluable since his arrival. He’s put in the financial structure for not only the Dark Indigo office, but for Elven D’Vaire, the Coven of Warlocks, as well as for D’Vaire itself,” Mac replied.

  “That’s true. He also set up spreadsheets for me, Noir, Larissa, and Madeline for the different things we do around the house. I know exactly how many plants I have of each type as well as the seed count in my inventory, how much I’ve spent on stuff, and the results of my current experiments,” Dravyn added. “Not to mention Worth’s rule.”

  “You could say he saved Dra’Kaedan’s Coven,” Brogan threw in.

  “So I guess you guys are in agreement,” Aleksander stated. The three men nodded in response. “Then I guess we need to get him a coronet and a ring of rank made before we crown him in the throne room.”

  Dravyn’s gaze fell on the furniture in the room intended for the dukes of their home. It was originally forest green and navy but black was added for Mac. “How’s pink dragonskin going to look in here?”

  Aleksander stood. “We’re going to dump that little problem right in Larissa’s lap.”

  “That’s why he’s king, folks. He thinks of solutions,” Mac teased as he too rose. They all filed out of the room and Aleksander could hardly believe that a few years before, his family had included six isolated dragons and was now filled with over thirty incredible people. As he thought about the three newest additions, he was in awe that Saura and T’Eirick had not only become D’Vaires but insisted on using his colors to represent them as darkfallen.

  As for the third new person to their home, Aleksander was relieved when Delaney met Grigori and even more so that they decided to stay under his roof. The D’Vaires would not be the same without Delaney. Aleksander had been furious when Delaney casually commented that he’d finally earned his name. He sincerely hoped Delaney understood how important he was to all of them. To Aleksander it was as if he’d owned a piece of his heart for much longer than six years. He was still amazed by all he—and Idris—had accomplished in such a short amount of time.

  Grigori was another genius who had already changed the world in his young life, and Aleksander liked the quirky vampire as well as the Volkovs. Somehow Aleksander had managed to gain yet another powerful ally in the Council of Sorcery and Shifters. He certainly hadn’t been looking for one and the truth was, he had no use for politics, but Fate didn’t seem to care. The D’Vaire name grew more influential with each passing day, and Aleksander would continue to do his best to ensure that whatever else came their way, they would face it as a family.

  * * *

  “This is exciting,” Delaney said as the entire D’Vaire clan shuffled into the throne room. Grigori and the others weren’t told why they’d needed to get into their fanciest attire and show up, but no one questioned Aleksander’s orders.

  “Okay, but why is this room so blah compared to the rest of the house?” Grigori whispered close to his ear, so no one overheard him complaining.

  Delaney shrugged. “I guess because no one uses it. There were a few mating ceremonies in here, but that’s about it. You know Aleksander’s not into pomp and circumstance. It looks the same as it did six years ago when I got here.”

  “Larissa must’ve had an off day or something,” Grigori muttered. Delaney grinned and pulled him down into the chair next to him.

  It didn’t take long for the D’Vaires to get settled and when they did, Aleksander spoke. “Ladies and gentlemen of D’Vaire, today we honor a practice a
s old as dragonkind. Worthington D’Vairedraconis, will you please join me?”

  With a confused expression, Worth walked up to stand in front of his older brother.

  “Please kneel,” Aleksander ordered.

  Worth did as he was told. “This better not be a beheading,” he grumbled as Brogan handed Aleksander a long sword with their family name engraved into its blade.

  “Fate has honored you with a dragon of extraordinary color and each day, you find a new way to give to your court. The royal dukes of the Draconis Court of D’Vaire wish you to join their ranks as a trusted advisor and a protector of your people. From this day forward, you will serve this court as Duke Worthington D’Vairedraconis. Will you swear fealty to your king?” Aleksander asked as he tapped each one of his brother’s shoulders with the sword.

  “I’m honored Aleksander, but I don’t know the words.”

  “Repeat after me. I swear to protect the Draconis Court of D’Vaire and shall raise my sword to protect my king and all the inhabitants of this Court, should it be a just and true fight. I will conduct myself with honor and never stray from the values that govern our people. I vow I will uphold the laws of Emperor Chrysander Draconis and never muddy the reputation of dragons,” Aleksander said each sentence separately and Worth dutifully spoke each one.

  Madeline handed Aleksander a coronet made of blue-black with Worth’s one-of-a-kind dragon adorning it and placed it on his head.

  “Arise, Your Grace,” he commanded. Aleksander passed him a small box. “Your ring of rank.”

  “Thank you, Your Highness,” Worth responded. It was the first time he’d probably ever said it to not irritate his brother.

  “To my dragons, sorcerers, and elves, I give you Duke Worthington D’Vairedraconis,” Aleksander called out.

  Grigori let go of Delaney’s hand long enough so they could both clap for Worth, then interlaced their fingers once again.

  “I would like to ask for a few more people to join me. Carter D’Vairedraconis, Lex D’Vairedraconis—” Aleksander cut off his own list as he grabbed his brother’s sleeve. “Your Grace, stand over here until I dismiss you.”

  “Really into this royal thing today, aren’t you?” Worth complained as he freed himself from Aleksander’s grasp and stood next to him.

  “Hey Carter, we’re going to be dukes too,” Lex joked as he got out of his seat.

  “Oh come on,” Carter barked out as he walked toward their king. “I know you aren’t making me a duke. I haven’t even shifted yet.”

  “You’re right, I’m not, drakeling, but get over here anyway and stand next to Worth. Sorry to disappoint you, Lex, but no coronet for you either.” Aleksander replied as he shook his head while rolling his eyes. Lex shrugged with no apparent disappointment over his king’s words. “I don’t know why things never go the way I plan them in my head.”

  “Oh, easy—we’re all nuts,” Dra’Kaedan interjected.

  “How did I forget that?” Aleksander mused. He raised his head, and the humor slipped from his face. “Wullem D’Vaire and Leopold D’Vaire, will you join me as well?” The warlock and his familiar went to the front of the room and took up spots next to Carter.

  “We have rules here, and we have traditions. One of those is to always keep the truth between us, but there are times when that’s not possible. I don’t have to tell you how incredible you all are. You amaze me each day, and you’ve all given me gifts beyond measure. However, there was one granted to me I’d like to speak about today. An incredible group of men and one woman—now coined Sorcery D’Vaire by our Emperor—get together regularly and achieve things most people can’t even dream up. One of those was spearheaded by Idris. Together with these talented people, he created a potion called Immortalis,” Aleksander said.

  “Wait, what?” Carter blurted out. “That was a hypothetical paper he wrote. Right?”

  “For public purposes, yes. But outside in our backyard, they made the real thing. I need you all to know that this cannot go past D’Vaire. There’s simply not enough to go around, but now that Idris and Sorcery D’Vaire have approved the last few people under my roof who aren’t already immortal the privilege of drinking it, we no longer have to keep the secret between us. Idris?”

  With a grin, Idris strode up with his potion of unassuming appearance in hand. Noirin provided four glasses of water, and Idris put a single drop in each one, then swirled the liquid so it was as indigo as his magic.

  “Will you accept our potion and make your life an eternal one?” Idris asked the stunned men standing next to Aleksander.

  “Fuck yeah,” Carter exclaimed as he grabbed the cup from Idris and downed it.

  Idris’s expression was pained. “You didn’t give me a chance to tell you it’s going to burn and make you feel overly warm.”

  “Small price to pay,” Worth retorted as he took his glass and drank.

  “Agreed,” Lex stated, then tipped back the cup in his hand.

  “Leopold, you don’t have to drink it—your life will be extended to match Wullem’s,” Idris explained as he handed the last glass to the warlock in question. Both men thanked Idris, and Wullem smiled at his familiar and made them both immortal by drinking the liquid in his glass.

  Carter grimaced. “Idris. Just fucking say it’s going to make you want to piss yourself. Overly warm, my ass.”

  “Ugh, how long is this going to last? I’m worried over crossing my legs or running for the toilet,” Worth complained.

  “I hope that wet feeling on my thigh is all in my head,” Lex griped as he peered up at the ceiling.

  “This is unpleasant,” Wullem added softly.

  Grigori leaned toward his mate. “Did everyone react this way?”

  Delaney’s eyes were amused when they met Grigori’s. “Pretty much.”

  “Lex, your parents were approved as well. Next time they visit, we’ll be sure and give them the drink,” Aleksander explained. Lex whooped with joy as Aleksander threw his arms up in the air. “All right, D’Vaires. We have an eternity together. We’ve vanquished our enemies and added some incredible people into our family. Any clue what we do next?”

  “I don’t know…but whatever it is, we’ll be ready,” Delaney called out. Grigori leaned over and kissed his cheek as agreement with Delaney’s statement rang throughout the room. His other half was right. No matter Fate’s call, Grigori would be prepared because he had Delaney. From the moment he arrived at this amazing house, he understood that the dark wizard with spectacular eyes would change his life.

  Unable to keep such happiness inside him, he said the words in his heart. “I love you, Delsaurus.”

  Delaney’s grinned surfaced, and he brought their lips together in a soft kiss. “I love you, and you know what? I’m going to love you even more tomorrow, Grigori.”

  “You’re just saying that because you saw a package with my name on it.”

  “Your package has my name on it.”

  “Not that package because duh…I mean the box that came today.”

  “I know it has sex toys in it,” Delaney whispered near his ear.

  Grigori nodded. “And I should probably feed tonight.”

  “A silly vampire. I can handle that.”

  “I doubt there’s anything you can’t handle,” Grigori told him honestly.

  “I have you. I’m not afraid to face whatever my future holds.”

  “My palms might still get sweaty, but I know you’ll always be there for me.”

  His wizard kissed him again. “What are mates for anyway?”

  “I’ll show you later when you see what’s in my box.”

  Delaney laughed as he’d intended; then Grigori pulled him to his feet so he could wrap him in his arms. Somehow, they’d found each other and had meshed so perfectly, Grigori wondered how he managed without him. They had an eternity together, but it was not nearly enough time for Grigori to truly show Delaney what he meant to him. There were no words to convey what was in his soul, but i
t would not prevent Grigori from trying each day to love Delaney more.

  Sorcery D’Vaire

  King Aleksander D’Vairedraconis

  Lichpriestess Saura D’Vaire

  Lichpriest T’Eirick D’Vaire

  Grand Warlock Dra’Kaedan D’Vaire

  Duke Brogan D’Vaire

  Grand Summoner Dre’Kariston D’Vaire

  Grand Summoner-mate Somerly D’Vairedraconis

  Grand Warlock Familiar Renny D’Vaire

  Grand Summoner Familiar Lucian D’Vaire

  Arch Lich Chander Daray

  Lich Sentinel Alaric Daray

  Prism Wizard Vadimas Porfyra

  High Arcanist Idris (the Indigo) D’Vaire

  Duke Macardle D’Vairedraconis

  High Arcanist Delaney (the Dark) Volkov-D’Vaire

  Vampyr Lord Grigori Volkov-D’Vaire

  Scheredin D’Vaire

  Brexton D’Vaire

  About the Author

  Jessamyn Kingley lives in Nevada where she begs the men in her head to tell her their amazing stories which she dutifully writes it all down in what has become a small mountain of notebooks. She falls in love with each couple and swears whatever book she wrote last is her absolute favorite.

  Jessamyn is married and working toward remembering to start the dishwasher without being distracted by the scent of the magical detergent. For personal enjoyment, she aids in cat rescue while slashing and gashing her way through mobs in various MMORPGs. Caffeine is her very best friend and is only cast aside briefly for the sin better known as BBQ potato chips.

  Visit her website at: www.jessamynkingley.com