“I will. I mean, I’m scared, but I know I have to do it. None of the rest of the plan will work if I don’t, so I will just close my eyes and stab him. Okay?”
“Your eyes must remain open, you stupid boy. How will you know your aim is true if you are blind to see it?”
“I don’t think I can do it if I can see it. I’ll look to get the knife in a place that won’t kill him, and then I’ll close my eyes when I stick him,” Idris said, his eyes wide with fear and promise.
“I will be very cross with you if your efforts result in death. It would only be fair for me to use the blade on you should you ruin my careful planning.” Latarian knew without a doubt that if he did wind up somehow killing Dre’Kariston or one of the familiars then she would not hesitate to end Idris’s life. The murder of any of the D’Vaires would mean Dra’Kaedan would be onto her and he would seek justice. He would not stop until she was exterminated, and if she had to die, she would make sure Idris did too.
“How about I stab him in the arm? That would get the dust in him and then I can’t accidentally kill him. That would work, right?” Idris let go of his legs and sat up on his knees and began to bounce in his excitement.
“Be still. You are forever jumping about; it annoys me. A stab in the arm will do. Honestly, it was almost clever of you to think of such a thing. If I cared to think about such details, I would have come up with the idea myself.” Idris smiled at her and sat back on his heels.
“I know you don’t want to talk about Edion,” he began in a rush, “but can I ask you about the other Cwylld?”
“I suppose if you insist on continuing to speak, I could listen to your question.” Latarian was feeling generous after the boy figured out his approach to the stabbing part of their plan. Irritating though she might find him, Idris had managed not to bungle the plan up to this point.
“Do you think they’re gonna come and get us? You know, for stealing all their stones? I bet they were mad when they found out they were gone.”
“You fool, they would not know for sure it was us that stole them, and though that guard Cadlyr has fought in wars and may be mighty with a spear, he has no magic of his own. Without it, he cannot know who stole their stones nor could he track us should he suspect such a thing. We are safe from any retaliation from the few Cwylld left at that awful camp.”
“I wish we could’ve stolen back the serum we gave them. I still don’t have any left,” Idris complained, and Latarian rolled her eyes. Idris’s fertility serum was yet another topic she was quite bored of listening to him prattle on about.
“You have no need for it now. It will not be long before I have all the power I deserve. That is all that matters.”
“Yeah, but what if I need it for something?”
“I have just told you that you have no need for it, so you will allow the subject to drop. I do not understand why I must repeat myself for your benefit so many times during each day. Do you care so little for my feelings that you must insist on such foul behavior?”
“No. No way. You’re my best friend. It’s just, I worry about this stuff. I wish I didn’t. I listen to what you say, but I can’t seem to get my brain to stop. But I’m gonna do better. I don’t want to make you upset. I want to make you happy, and that’s why I hope Dre’Kariston leaves the house soon because I know having his magic is going to make you happy. That’s all I want,” Idris said, and Latarian could see the sincerity of his words practically bleeding through his pores. It made her happy to think how important her needs were to him. Nothing pleased her more than knowing her many good qualities brought out such loyalty in others, even if it was an annoying child like Idris.
“Your words bring me much pleasure. It is good that you think in such a fashion. Now, it is getting late and we must be at our best each day to be ready for our grand moment,” Latarian said, and Idris replied but she hardly bothered listening as her thoughts were already on the following day. If the fates were kind, it would not be too long before her opportunity came along, and no matter how long it took, she would be ready to strike.
Chapter 16
Much to the delight of the entire household, Arch Lich Chander Daray had readily agreed to attend the mating ceremony. Although they had been willing to plan it around Chander’s schedule, the Arch Lich had insisted they pick the day that suited them best. It was apparently Baxter’s week to act as sentinel to the necromancer leader, and he too would be joining them.
Now it was the morning of the ceremony, that only too long ago seemed so far out of reach, and Gavrael was stunned his family had been able to put it all together so quickly. Cloaks had been made for the event, and Larissa had asked Dra’Kaedan to use his magic to make the edges of the fabric glow the same green as the daggers that were so essential to their lives. Although magickind did not usually use rings to symbolize their unions, Gavrael and Gedeon lived with dragons. Dragons, like most shifters, did exchange rings.
Sorcerers had assisted the shifters in creating a metal that allowed the rings to be worn even through the rigors of their change into beast and back again. Madeline D’Vairedraconis was their expert in metal, and she had created two matching rings for them to exchange. They were thick bands fashioned in a dark gray metal that had a bright glowy green to them. At the edge of each ring was a thin strip of a dark blue/black metal designed by Madeline to mimic the unique scales of King D’Vaire. Gedeon had gushed delightedly when he had seen the final product, and Gavrael had been pleased once again to have such an enthusiastic and social mate.
One thing Gavrael had never thought of before the conversation that had changed his life was how having a mate that did not lack for social skills would lessen the burden of speaking coherently in situations when his words were tangled in knots. Of course, when his tongue was completely stuck to the roof of his mouth, Gedeon seemed nowhere to be found. Right now was a perfect example, Gavrael thought with a mixture of panic and embarrassment.
“What do you mean you were watching porn? Today is your mating ceremony. This happens exactly once in your life, and you decide to spend it getting off watching some other guys having sex? Dude, there is nothing wrong with porn, but on the day of your mating ceremony?” It was an absolute mystery how Gavrael found himself in these situations. Watching porn was not something shameful, and it had not been his intention to divulge his activities, but when Dra’Kaedan had asked him how he had spent his morning, Gavrael’s stupid brain had gone with full honesty. Now the fiery Grand Warlock was pissed off, and Gavrael was going to have to try and explain his very personal activity this morning.
“I find it useful,” Gavrael managed.
“Seriously, I think we can all find it useful at times. Please tell me you did this with Gedeon this morning,” Dra’Kaedan retorted with his hands on his hips. It was just like the Grand Warlock to lose his infamous temper over something rather trivial and undoubtedly none of his business—not that Gavrael was going to point that out anytime soon. He realized the volatile warlock’s ire was on the behalf of Gedeon. That on the day of their mating ceremony Gavrael should be putting his mate’s needs ahead of his own. This was something Gavrael respected about Dra’Kaedan. He spent so much of his life in concern for others.
“I did not wish him to know.”
“Don’t you think you should have been saving your man juice for later?” It was a very near thing, but Gavrael did manage not to blush.
“You do not understand.”
“No, I get it. I’m a guy. I have a dick. It feels good when I touch it. Feels great if I can watch porn while I touch it. But given the option, I know it feels better if I let Brogan touch it.” The dark navy blue of the Grand Warlock’s eyes were so dark with anger, they appeared black.
“Sentinels are not like warlocks. Only the thought or actions of my mate allow me to feel arousal. I watch porn only to educate myself so I may perform well with my mate,” Gavrael managed and hoped to hell his words made sense.
Dra’Kaedan narrowe
d his eyes briefly before the storm clouds above him seemed to disappear. His hands left his hips and then Dra’Kaedan offered him a smile. “Gavrael, you totally should’ve said that from the start. I didn’t know that about sentinels. That’s kind of amazing only your mate can get you hot. I hope you picked up some good shit for tonight.”
Words were kind of beyond Gavrael, so he offered the warlock a nod, and Dra’Kaedan seemed pleased. Eyes back to their deep blue hue, they twinkled with merriment as he threw his head back with a laugh and clapped Gavrael on the arm. “Yeah, you’re super-intense. You’re probably awesome. I’m sure Gedeon’s a very happy man.” Because Gavrael was afraid the conversation would never end, and he would defy all known science and die of embarrassment, he left Dra’Kaedan standing in the dining room on his own. Gavrael did not necessarily consider it running away. He thought of it as more of a tactical retreat.
* * *
Gedeon pulled the cloak Larissa had made for his mating ceremony over his shoulders with a grin. He had been wearing the same expression since he’d opened his eyes this morning. It had dimmed briefly when Gavrael had accused him of hogging the bed once again, but today was a day not to be forgotten, so he would forgive his mate for undoubtedly stretching the truth. Of course, his smile was now probably at its brightest point. There was little Gedeon could do about that. Just before he had ensconced himself in the bedroom he now shared with Gavrael to get dressed, Brogan had told him about a very interesting conversation Dra’Kaedan had shared with Gavrael earlier.
If Gedeon had a fortune to squander, he would have given every cent of it to have been a fly on the wall when Dra’Kaedan had badgered Gavrael about watching porn that morning. Gedeon knew he used it for what he called research. After a while, watching it bored Gedeon to tears, and these days he had no use for it. Gavrael was all over him whenever they were alone, and there was not one damn complaint he was going to make regarding that fantastic new quirk.
Of course, Gedeon was now well aware the other sentinel struggled with words, so the poor guy had probably wished for a meteor to come hurling in and end his misery. Still, it would have been very interesting to see if Gavrael’s face had actually given away his thoughts. One maddening part of his mate was that his face rarely showed expression. It offered no clue whether Gavrael was struggling to express himself or simply had nothing to say on the topic at hand.
However, Gedeon knew what Gavrael needed from him now was patience as they learned more about each other. As a sentinel, Gavrael’s skills were such that it was impossible to imagine anyone existed or ever had that would match him. But as a man, Gavrael was both vulnerable and wary nearly to the point of fear in certain situations. It made Gedeon feel protective of him, and it would not be his actions that caused Gavrael to feel uncomfortable if he could help it.
When Gavrael had asked him if there could ever be a time when he would love him, it had touched a place deep inside him. At that moment, the love had been there. Those words had caused his heart to swell and overflow with feeling. Gavrael was his to love, to protect, to stand next to, and to battle for. Gedeon’s life had been formed to protect Trystan’s, and it was a duty he would never shirk, but his life was now about so much more. It was Gavrael who would give him true purpose. So today he would offer his life and his heart to his mate. He would make promises that would allow nothing and no one to separate them.
For over two and a half decades, Gedeon had wished for something, anything at all to allow him to focus. Sometimes wishes took a while to be answered, but Gedeon had decided Fate giving him Gavrael was beyond any of the simple gifts he had once hoped for. Together they would learn to love, and it was a journey Gedeon was determined to make a happy one.
Entering the rarely used throne room that sat on the first floor of their home, the first thing Gedeon saw was Gavrael. His mate was dressed identically to him and had never looked more delectable. There was no doubt he was looking forward to being alone with him later. The other sentinel had not been kidding when he had promised to ensure his bedroom skills were well-honed. Over the course of the last few days, Gavrael had not let Gedeon close his eyes to sleep until he had come at least twice. They might test the boundaries of their immortality if they went on like this endlessly. Undoubtedly there were worse ways to go, Gedeon decided with a smirk.
Once Gedeon made his way across the room and stood facing his partner, he realized there were two strangers among them. So much for his vaunted skills as a sentinel, but then again, this was no ordinary day. Standing just in front of Gavrael, to the side of their exotic black-and-blue haired king stood a man much shorter than Aleksander’s six-foot-six frame. He was a couple of inches taller than the Grand Warlock who claimed to be at least five foot four, but that was pushing it.
From head to toe, the stranger was dressed in shades of silver, gray and black. Atop rather frizzy brown curls was a bright silver crown that seemed to glow black in the light. His face was unremarkable except for its youthfulness. Behind silver-framed glasses were a pair of timeless pewter eyes.
The man wore an ornately silver-embroidered black cloak over a dark gray suit. Since the embroidery included skulls among its decorations, Gedeon safely concluded the stranger had to be none other than Arch Lich Chander Daray. To further punctuate the discovery, Gedeon looked to the Arch Lich’s left and saw a tall man dressed in the clothes he was well acquainted with. This was Baxter, one of the two sentinels bound to the Arch Lich. Meeting Baxter’s pale eyes, Gedeon gave him a nod to acknowledge his presence and received one in return.
“Gentleman, I’d like to introduce you to Arch Lich Chander Daray and his sentinel Baxter. Blodwen and Trystan have asked Chander to help me perform your mating ceremony today. Is that okay with both of you?” Aleksander asked from underneath his own shiny silver crown.
“I agree if it is acceptable to Gedeon,” was the response from the man Fate had deemed as Gedeon’s for all of eternity.
“It is an honor, Arch Lich Daray,” Gedeon answered.
“The honor is mine,” the Arch Lich replied with a smile that lit his pewter eyes.
“With your permission, I would love to have the honor of assisting you in the blood-letting portion of the ceremony,” Baxter intoned quietly, and Gedeon gave him a wide smile. Undoubtedly, the sentinel had realized they would need to use the black poison to bleed, and they would need some assistance in keeping the secret of the fatal poison to themselves.
“We would be delighted to have your help,” Gedeon replied.
“Shall we begin?” Aleksander asked, and Gedeon offered him a nod in acknowledgment.
“Draconis Court of D’Vaire. Today we witness the joining of Gavrael D’Vaire to Gedeon D’Vaire. Today we find ourselves beginning a new tradition as these two men before you are the first known sentinels to find their mates. They have asked to marry both the traditions of necromancia and dragons in what we all hope is the first of many matebonds found among their people,” Aleksander proclaimed, and Gedeon met the bronze eyes of the man across from him and smiled.
“Gentleman, please raise your left palms. Much is unknown about the origins of the race of sentinels. Created by the Order of Necromancia, sentinels were charged with the duty of protecting necromancers. Through the gifts of dark magic and tireless devotion, sentinels have honed skills deadly enough to strike fear into the strongest and mightiest of men. The necromancers bound to both Gavrael and Gedeon overflow with gratitude that Fate has gifted them with warriors that are exceptional in skill and fierce in dedication.” The words of the Arch Lich pleased Gedeon, and though Gavrael’s expression had not changed, Gedeon couldn’t imagine he was not of a similar mind.
Baxter stepped forward and took a spot opposite King Aleksander and the Arch Lich. With his body blocking the audience of D’Vaires and Trystan’s father, Reverent Knight Drystan Kempe, who led the Order of the Fallen Knights, Baxter grabbed one of the daggers that rested at his side. In a move so quick it was only perceptible to a
sentinel and quite possibly a fallen knight—if Baxter’s body wasn’t in the way of the visiting Reverent Knight—Baxter turned the glow of his dagger to black, cut the palms of both Gavrael and Gedeon in one swift motion, and turned the glow of his weapon back to green.
“Sentinel to sentinel,” Aleksander intoned, and as they had been told to do, Gedeon and Gavrael pressed their lightly bleeding palms together.
“Their souls are now tied and their lives now forever linked. May their hearts always stay united so they may never want another,” Chander said solemnly. The bleeding had already come to a halt, and Gedeon realized that even with the powerful black poison, sentinels were not intended to bleed long. Relief filled him that it appeared no one questioned how the two men were able to bleed at all. Looking at Gavrael, he could swear he felt his relief as well, but that was impossible.
Aleksander once again spoke. “Dragons claim their mates with a bite that leaves no mark. Centuries ago, a draconic tradition began of exchanging rings. Gavrael and Gedeon will now exchange bands to allow the world to bear witness to their joining.”
“Chosen by Fate and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate,” Gavrael said in gravelly tones as he spoke the words dragons usually shared with their mate in private while sliding the ring onto Gedeon’s finger.
Gedeon stared deeply into his mate’s eyes as he slid the matching band onto Gavrael’s finger and spoke the traditional words back. “Chosen by Fate and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate.”
“By the newly set forth tradition of sentinels, you are now mates. You honor Court D’Vaire by allowing us to witness your bond,” King Aleksander declared.
Sentinel's Dagger (D'Vaire, Book 2) Page 17
