“I’m literally here every day,” Mac replied as he dropped down into the chair that was always waiting for him.
“I know…you need a life.”
“I happen to like my life.”
Lloyd Stenetdraconis lifted one bushy brow. “What’s to like about it?”
“Well, as you mentioned, I happen to a be a duke, which means I’m a powerful dragon. I have amazing grandparents that I love and—”
“And a king who doesn’t respect you.”
“King Alfred would’ve preferred to choose his own dukes instead of being saddled with me when he was chosen by Fate to rule over Court Stenet.”
“King Alfred would’ve preferred you were never born.”
Mac ran a hand over the bottom of his face. “Can you blame him for the way he feels? My mother’s his mate, and I’m obviously not his kid.”
“She was eight hundred years old when she had you. It’s not like she didn’t wait around for her mate to show up before she decided to have a child,” Lloyd replied. “And no matter how you came to be, it’s not your fault—so he shouldn’t be taking it out on you. You’re the only black dragon in this court. That makes you the most powerful, even if he’s the one with the silver ring in his eyes Fate gave him. You shouldn’t be denied your rightful role in this Court.”
“I do have my rightful role. I’m a duke.”
“Dukes have duties. All you do all day is fuss over two old people and hope your mother pulls her head out of her ass, so you can have a relationship with her again.”
This was the problem with having grandparents, Mac decided. They refused to pull punches and didn’t really care if you’d gone over the same topic a million times. His grandfather wasn’t going to let him back into the house to make lunch until he said whatever was on his mind. “I have a relationship with her.”
“Moina treats you like a distant stranger. That’s not how a mother should treat her son. Does she treat your half siblings that way?”
Mac rolled his eyes. “You know I barely know Carter or Bryony.”
“Then why are you sitting there trying to convince me you have a real relationship with your mother?”
“She’s gotten better.”
His grandfather pinned him with a hard look. “Don’t you go getting delusional on me. In the past two decades, she hasn’t stood up to that jerk Fate stuck her with when it comes to her firstborn son.”
“He’s our king. You probably shouldn’t call him a jerk.”
“If Fate didn’t want me to call him a jerk, then she shouldn’t have made him one.”
“Grandpa—”
“No, don’t you start with me. You deserve better than this.”
“You’ve obviously got something on your mind. Tell me where this is all leading.”
“I was on that computer you bought me, and I saw a new ad for a court looking for a duke.”
“We’ve been over this. I’m not going to leave you and Grandma. There’s no guarantee life would be any better somewhere else. I’m not treated poorly or underpaid. I have a nice house and plenty of time to pursue my own interests. It’s not like I’m being tortured or anything else sinister.”
“You don’t want to leave us because all your life, you’ve been focused on family. It’s commendable, Macardle, but we aren’t going to be around forever. You know that. We’ve got a couple of years at best. Then what? You’ll be stuck here in this cold hell with no one. You deserve better, and this ad wasn’t for just any court.”
“I don’t want to think about you and Grandma not being around.”
“I know it, but I can’t pass to the other side of the veil without knowing you’re happy. There’s no joy for you here, and your mate’s somewhere out there looking for you too.”
Mac’s brows drew together. “Well, if switching to another court is going to make you ready to die, I’m sure as hell not going anywhere.”
“Macardle, I’m going to die whether you leave or not. It’s an inescapable truth. Now, do you want me to die happy or pissed because you’re an idiot?”
“Fine, tell me about the stupid court looking for a duke.”
“Nice attitude from a royal duke.”
“Would you please tell me about the esteemed king who needs my help?”
Lloyd’s smile was smug. “Draconis Court of D’Vaire.”
“The sanctuary court?” Mac relaxed in his chair as he mulled over his grandfather’s announcement. D’Vaire was, by all accounts, a small court whose top priority was handpicking candidates to join their sanctuary, which specialized in outcasts. The most unusual aspect of the place was that it was the only multi-racial haven within the Council of Sorcery and Shifters. Although anyone could apply, he’d heard the process to get accepted was a rigorous one.
Because sanctuary records were sealed, Mac had no idea how many people belonged. D’Vaire’s application was as unique as everything else about it—their king was the only bicolor dragon and had been ostracized for centuries before the Grand Warlock joined D’Vaire. Since then, D’Vaire’s influence within the Council had increased exponentially. It was widely known that even the Emperor, who ruled over both the dragons and the Council, spoke highly of the court and its king.
“Yes, they’re holding interviews in conjunction with their neighbors, Court Beradraconis. You can apply to both if you like.”
“Beradraconis? Aren’t King and Queen Bera the parents of the Reverent Knights?” Mac asked. The Reverent Knights ruled over the resurrected race, the Order of the Fallen Knights. Drystan and Conley Gylde-Kempe were once dragon shifters and had served as emperors before being murdered. Arch Lich Chander Daray brought them back to life and put Drystan in charge of law and order in 1367—before reuniting him with his mate a few years ago.
“Yes, you interested?”
“D’Vaire and Bera are in Arizona.”
“So? You going to complain about the heat next?”
“That’s over two thousand miles away from Maryland.”
“Not only can you fly, but there’s also a druid company called Dérive. They use magic to transport people all over.”
“I know that, Grandpa. I’ve used them plenty of times to get around.”
“Then why are you bitching about the distance between Arizona and Maryland?”
“If I were going to leave, I’d prefer it be someplace closer.”
“No, you’re just looking for excuses.”
“When did you get so cranky?” Mac asked.
“I was born this way.”
“How does Grandma put up with you?”
“You know how sex works, even if you do it with men instead of women.”
“Anyway, D’Vaire, huh?”
“Look who’s suddenly interested.”
“I’d be interested in eating shit if it meant avoiding talking about your sex life.”
Lloyd offered him an unrepentant grin. “D’Vaire would be good for you. You can fill out the application on the computer. I’ll warn you, though—it’s a long one. In addition to a normal questionnaire that relates to your potential new job, they require you to use their sanctuary application.”
“So, they want to poke into my life?”
“You got some skeletons in your closet I don’t know about?”
“Of course not. I just find it intrusive that they want to know everything about me.”
“This is a good opportunity, Macardle. They help people. You wouldn’t just be at the beck and call of a king. You’d be helping to make a difference.”
“I’ll admit, I’m intrigued by the idea of doing something valuable like working at a sanctuary.”
“Their application says they want people who desire being part of a family. That’s what they are. The entire court lives in a single house. Meals are shared, and they will only consider candidates who want their lifestyle. I couldn’t find a better place on this planet for you if I tried. Your grandmother and I could cross the veil knowing you were cared for.�
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“What if I got there, and I didn’t mesh well with their family?”
“Then you come home to Maryland, but you damn well better go into this with an open mind. Don’t you leave there and come tell me it didn’t work out because you were stuck on staying here to take care of two old people. You deserve better than that, and I’m going to make sure you get it.”
“Don’t make my life sound shitty.”
“It’s empty, Macardle.”
“And you think filling out a job application is going to change that?”
“I think you getting to be the duke Fate intended you to be at a place that’s dedicated to helping others is going to give you fulfillment, and my hope is you’ll meet your mate as well.”
“Absolutely no guarantee of the second part.”
“I’m an old man. I can wish for whatever I want.”
Mac pulled himself out of his chair. “I’m going to go make some lunch. Then I’ll spend my afternoon filling out the application for D’Vaire. I’m not going to interview for both courts. The only kind of place I’d leave you and Grandma for is a sanctuary like D’Vaire. I do want to help people, and I’d like to be able to aid my king as much as I can. I know my hands are tied here and I’d hoped that it would get better, but it’s been two decades. I don’t want you to get upset if I don’t even get an interview, though. They’re probably very choosy, and I lack an extensive résumé—and we both know Alfred isn’t going to do shit to help me, even if I would be out of his face.”
“Sounds like a fair deal to me.”
“Good. You want your bread toasted or what?”
“Did we just meet yesterday? Of course I want my bread toasted.”
Mac laughed as he headed back into the house. He supposed it was a good thing his afternoon was free since his grandfather wasn’t going to let him hear the end of it if he didn’t complete the application as soon as possible. As much as Mac hated the idea of leaving his grandparents, D’Vaire was a tempting proposition. He wasn’t foolish enough to set his hopes too high, though. There had to be hundreds of dukes ready to pack their bags; he would be lucky to even get the chance for an interview. Deciding it couldn’t hurt to ask Fate for a little help, he sent out a wish and put his future in her hands.
Chapter 3
“Delaney, have you seen Roger?” Idris asked as he poked his head into the open door of the office Aleksander insisted the wizards needed. It was in a separate building from the house, which included tons of space for all kinds of ventures, including the Coven of Warlocks and the newly established company Elven D’Vaire. He found Delaney hanging out on the dragonskin sofa with Duff, but his eye was immediately drawn to Greggory. The little black dragon was normally in the company of Roger, but his own familiar was absent.
“Not since breakfast,” Delaney replied.
“I guess we need to launch an expedition to find him,” Duff declared.
“Let’s go,” Idris agreed. Greggory flew up to Delaney’s shoulder, and the four of them set out to find the elusive Roger.
“We should start in the kitchen. Noir always knows where everyone is,” Delaney suggested. Noirin D’Vairedraconis was not only their chef; she oversaw just about everything in the massive house they called home.
“Good idea,” Idris said. They strode out of the building, and as they stepped outside, Idris took a deep breath to enjoy the rich smell of the fragrant flowers Duke Dravyn D’Vairedraconis spent his days cultivating.
“I don’t see Dravyn,” Duff remarked.
“The interviews are today. He’s in Aleksander’s office with the others,” Delaney replied. Aleksander’s preferred working space was inside the house, and he had an open-door policy Idris appreciated. The D’Vaire king was always willing to help solve a problem or just listen, if that was what someone needed. Idris couldn’t imagine a better dragon to rule D’Vaire.
“I wonder how many good candidates we’ll get,” Idris said.
“I know Brogan’s hoping there’s at least a couple we can choose from,” Delaney answered. The three men plus one familiar crossed over the expansive wooden deck littered with comfortable furniture; then Idris opened the glass door which led into their home.
They were immediately greeted by Noirin. “Hey, guys. What’s up?”
As soon as they stepped into the air-conditioned kitchen, Idris got straight to the point. “I can’t find Roger. Have you seen him?”
“I’m sorry, but I haven’t seen him since breakfast.”
“That was the last time I saw him too,” Delaney told her.
“Honey, if you’re worried about him, you can always summon him,” Noirin said.
Idris blew out a breath. “I hate summoning him. If I were a familiar, I wouldn’t want some wizard pulling me out of whatever activity I happen to be doing just because he wanted to know where I was. It’s so unfair.”
“I understand. I guess you’ve got a whole house to search. I’ll keep an eye out for him, and I’ll text you if anyone else knows where he is.”
“Thanks, Noir.”
“Be mindful of the candidates here for their interviews,” she warned. “Brogan will lose his shit if you guys are hanging around strangers. You know how overprotective he is.”
“Are King and Queen Bera here too?” Delaney asked.
“Yes, and Alaric’s going to send over the candidates from the Sentinel Brotherhood as well. It’s going to be a very busy day for them. Aleksander asked me to put together some trays, so they can make sandwiches for lunch. Brogan doesn’t want them dining with us,” Noirin confided.
“Do you need help? I can cut stuff or whatever else you need,” Delaney offered.
“I wouldn’t refuse it. Evlithar’s going to help me, but it’ll go faster with more people. If you want to pitch in, be back here in about thirty minutes,” Noirin replied.
“I’ll help too, right after I find Roger,” Idris said.
“You can count me in as well,” Duff added.
“Thanks, guys. I appreciate it. Now go find my other little dragon friend,” she instructed as she walked over and gave Greggory a cookie. He was enamored of sweets and wolfed it down in two swallows.
“It’s a good thing you can’t get fat,” Delaney told Greggory.
Duff rocked on his heels. “Come on, let’s go find Roger.”
“I guess we should start on one side of the house and work our way through it,” Idris suggested.
“This floor is the one most used. Let’s start with Madeline’s studio, then head into Larissa’s workshop,” Delaney said.
“Good idea. Let’s move out,” Duff replied. Idris chuckled at Duff’s military salute as he marched through the kitchen. He was grateful his friends were willing to help him, and he hoped they could find Roger in short order; he didn’t want to disappoint Noirin by showing up late to help.
* * *
“This house is something. It’s bigger than I expected,” the man sitting next to Mac said. They were inside a large room dubbed the “Duke’s Den” inside the D’Vaire mansion. The space was filled with inviting dark dragonskin furniture in navy blue and forest green.
“It’s pretty spectacular,” Mac agreed.
“I’m surprised it’s as nice as this. I mean, have you heard about the people here?” the dragon shifter asked.
“Heard what?”
“They’re all a bunch of misfits. I don’t know why King Bera chose to have us interview here. It’s strange.”
Mac didn’t particularly like the man’s attitude. “It’s my understanding the Beras aren’t only neighbors but good friends with the D’Vaires.”
“I guess they have to be nice to them. The Grand Warlock gave the Beras land and he lives here. I can’t imagine they’d choose to be allied with a bunch of dragons who no one liked for centuries.”
The door swung open before Mac could offer any response, which was probably a good thing because he didn’t think it was suitable to start a fight with another candid
ate. A dragon shifter walked in, and Mac assumed he was one more duke hoping for a job. Behind him, a small indigo-colored dragon flew in. He zoomed into the room and headed straight for the couch where Mac was seated. Then to Mac’s surprise, the dragon landed softly on one of his thighs.
“Hello there,” he offered his new friend.
The dragon made a little growly sound in his throat and took a few steps, so he was in Mac’s lap.
“I’ve never seen a little dragon like that,” the man next to Mac said.
“Me neither, but you’re awfully cute,” Mac told the dragon. He didn’t know what kind of magickind could produce such a perfect replica of a dragon shifter in miniature form. Mac was pretty sure he shouldn’t have him in his lap, but he had no idea how to convince the dragon to go find his sorcerer. The little guy curled up and was making more little rumbles which sounded happy to Mac’s untutored ears. He petted one scaly wing and wondered what the hell he was supposed to do. Duke Brogan D’Vairedraconis immediately came across as a man not to be trifled with, and he made it clear security was his priority.
He’d warned them not to wander through the house and interact with the household. The small dragon obviously lived here, and he didn’t want anyone to walk in here to witness him using Mac as a cushion, but he couldn’t resist smoothing his fingers over his head. It was so strange to be stroking the rough surface of the beast Mac shifted into every few days. Mac was in a muddle of confused and panicky thoughts when the door opened again. The fragrant smell of the best baked cinnamon rolls reached his nose as the blood in his veins drifted south. He pulled the dragon into his arms, so he wouldn’t be poked with his rising cock.
Mac whipped his head to the side and noticed three men standing near the entrance of the room. They were all around the same height, and two of them had hair as black as Mac’s, but it was the one with dark brown curls who got his attention. His eyes were the same indigo as the pretty dragon in his arms. They were startled, as he must’ve just realized Mac was his mate.
“That guy has Roger,” one of the raven-haired men said loudly, and he also had a small dragon perched on his shoulder, though his was black.
Irresistible Indigo (D'Vaire, Book 9) Page 2
