“Please raise your arms,” Idris directed. There were already ten lines, but they wanted his change to be as visible as possible.
“As Prism Wizard, you have selflessly denied your color for the greater good of the Spectra Wizardry for two centuries. There are now two ascended High Arcanists. Will you now unite with your color, and show it to your people?” Delaney asked.
“I will.”
“Than accept your fate,” Idris replied.
Idris watched anxiously as Vadimas turned his palms toward each other. As he’d expected, a small circle of violet formed. Cheers and applause broke over the terrace as it grew bright enough for everyone to see it; then it raced up and recolored the lines of forearms. As it did, the aged skin smoothed into the healthy glow which reflected the true age of the immortal wizard. A glow flowed over his entire body, refreshing his appearance as it did. His white hair darkened to chestnut, and the lines from his face disappeared, revealing a young, handsome man.
When his irises were visible, Idris noticed they’d gone from brown to the color of his magic.
“Prism Wizard Vadimas Porfyra, hereby known as Prism Wizard Vadimas the Violet within the Spectra Wizardry, please step forward to accept your new crown,” Idris said. He helped Vadimas into a new cloak, which was heavily embellished with gold over violet velvet. The gilt cord he’d earned centuries ago was added; then Delaney stepped forward with his crown. It was the same colors he was wearing, and in the front it had a slowly spinning prism that was impossible to miss.
“You look damn good,” Delaney told their leader quietly.
“Thanks,” he whispered back with a wry grin. When next he spoke, it was in a voice that carried. “I’d like to thank everyone for being here to share this auspicious day. The future is bright for the Spectra Wizardry, and we will all prosper with the help of our new High Arcanists. I hope their achievements will be an incentive for everyone to push their boundaries and expand their minds. On behalf of the Spectra Wizardry, I would like to congratulate Delaney the Dark and Idris the Indigo for their accomplishments. I know you are all as proud of them as I am. I will now ask you to join me in one final round of applause.”
Idris took up a spot to the right of Vadimas as Delaney stood to his left. Without a doubt, the Spectra Wizardry had a great deal to celebrate.
Chapter 38
“You think Greggory believes he’s Emperor for the night?” Delaney asked.
“From the way he’s perched on His Majesty’s shoulder, I’d say so,” Mac replied.
“Are you guys going to get drinks or what?” Duff asked. “I want to show off my moves.”
The music in the club was booming in Idris’s ears, and the entire dance floor was packed with people. He was excited about enjoying the successes he’d achieved, along with his best friend.
“What’re we drinking?” Idris asked.
“In those pants, you can have anything you want,” Mac replied. Idris was wearing Mac’s dragonskin and he had to admit, he did feel sexy in them. When the bartender found them, Mac ordered a beer for himself and two zombies each for Idris and Delaney.
“Your mate’s trying to get us drunk,” Delaney accused.
“I’m going to make sure you both enjoy yourselves,” Mac retorted. Their drinks were dropped down onto the bar in front of them. After they all grabbed them, Mac spoke again. “A toast to Idris and Delaney. You worked really fucking hard for this day, and we’re all so damn proud of you. Now drink up and have fun tonight.”
Their glasses clinked, and Idris decided to go with it. He sucked down half his first zombie in one gulp before finishing it as Delaney did the same.
“Not bad, now get out on the dance floor,” Mac demanded.
“You dancing?” Carter asked.
Mac shook his head. “I have no clue where to even begin with this music.”
“It’s really fucking loud and annoying,” Carter responded. “I’m going to go sit with you.”
“Not me, I’m going to make myself the envy of everybody with my moves,” Duff declared.
Idris got a hard kiss from his mate; then Mac disappeared with his brother.
“Let’s finish these lethal-ass drinks and go dance,” Delaney ordered, then emptied his second glass. With a shrug, Idris managed to guzzle his as well. He grabbed Delaney’s hand and Duff laughed as the three set out to where a group of D’Vaires were already partying. It took only seconds for Idris to find his rhythm and Delaney did the same.
“What the fuck?” Duff yelled. “How can you two move like that? I’ve been practicing for weeks for tonight, and I can’t dance like that.”
“It’s a sorcerer thing,” Renny hollered back from next to them. “You gotta have rhythm to cast spells, and you get in touch with your body, dude.”
“I’m not going to get laid if I’m near you guys,” Duff complained. “I’m outta here.”
“Bye,” Delaney shouted as the Kellas cat shifter scampered off.
Idris wasn’t going to worry about Duff. There were plenty of people in the room to keep him safe, and all he wanted to do was celebrate. The potent drinks he’d downed were already making him loose and warm inside. “Today was awesome,” he told Delaney.
The dark wizard nodded with a great deal of enthusiasm. “It doesn’t feel real yet.”
“Did you see the sentinels? None of them are wearing uniforms.”
Delaney’s head whipped from side to side. “Wow, they really aren’t. I love that they still have their daggers at their sides. The glow of their poisons looks cool in this light. Dude, I always forget how good Albie looks.”
Idris understood exactly how his friend felt. Skeleton Lord Albrecht Ruarc-Daray was a deadly assassin with a stunning face. He was dancing with his mate, Arvandus, and his dimples were flashing as they talked. They were a nice compliment to his heavily-lashed yellow-green eyes. Gazing around the room, Idris also found Imperial Duke Damian Draconis moving so smoothly, it was hard to believe he lacked magic. He was laughing as he listened to something Dre’Kariston was saying to him. It was exhilarating for Idris to be among so many people he cared about having an enjoyable time.
Before he could share his thoughts with Delaney, Duff returned to where they were holding court with a man and woman Idris didn’t know.
“Hey, guys,” Duff said. “These are my new friends.”
“You’re even sexier up close,” the random guy said to Delaney.
“Thanks,” the dark wizard replied.
“Want to go find a room?” the stranger asked.
“Nope, and if you don’t get your hand off my ass, I’m going to hurt you,” Delaney retorted with a teeth-baring smile.
The man turned to Duff. “Your friend’s a jerk.”
As the trio walked away, Duff’s voice carried back to them. “Yeah, I know but we aren’t really friends. I hardly know him.”
“I know you like him, but I think he’s an asshat,” Delaney said. “I don’t know why he thinks he has any control over my sex life.”
Idris glanced past Delaney to find Duff making out with the woman he’d brought over while the guy grinded against his body from behind. “He’s kissing that girl,” he blurted out in surprise.
Delaney’s eyes widened, and he turned back to the affectionate trio. “I thought he was gay.”
“They’re heading toward a room.”
“All three of them?”
“Yeah,” Idris said. After they closed themselves inside one of the private rooms reserved for privacy, Idris found Mac staring at him with one eyebrow raised. He shrugged at his mate. Idris’s brain was a bit muddled from the heavy drinks, and he couldn’t begin to explain Duff’s actions.
“At least he’ll shut up about losing his virginity,” Delaney shouted.
Idris turned his attention back to his friend. “Yeah, but he might become more fixated on yours.”
“Too fucking bad. He should mind his own business.”
“I agree. Fuck him. I want
to enjoy our night.”
Delaney laughed so hard he had to stop dancing. “I love it when Idris gets mean,” he yelled.
Idris didn’t know why his words were so funny, but he had to lean on Delaney when his mirth consumed him. “I’m a High Arcanist,” he exclaimed.
“Me too. We’re the best.”
With his humor contained, Idris moved to the beat again. “Vadimas too.”
“Of course Vadimas too.” Delaney was silent for a few minutes and then he burst out, “Can you believe how hot he is?”
“He is pretty hot. Not as hot as Mac, though.”
Delaney gave him an exaggerated eye roll. “He’s your mate. Of course you think he’s the hottest guy.”
“I want you to meet your mate, Del.”
“I want to meet my mate too but not tonight.”
“Why not?”
Delaney did a little twirl and waved his arms out. “Because I’m drunnnnnnnk.”
Idris grabbed his friend and hugged him tight. “I’m so glad we’re awesome.”
* * *
Clinging to Mac with his arms around his neck, Idris heard the door to their bedroom slam shut. His eyes were closed, and he was enjoying the feel of his tongue sliding against his mate’s. For hours, he danced and drank. He and Delaney wanted to enjoy their time at the club and they had, but all Idris wanted now was Mac’s hard body against his own. The dragon shifter palmed Idris’s ass, and he moaned in excitement.
Pulling his mouth away, Mac said, “We scared Roger away.”
“This is no place for familiars,” Idris replied with a grin.
“Did you have fun tonight?”
“Yes.” Idris kissed Mac’s chin. “I’m going to have more of it.”
Mac’s brow lifted. “Oh, really?”
“I’m really hard.”
“Believe it or not, sweetheart, I can tell.”
Idris laughed. There was no space between them, and Mac’s dick was poking him in the stomach. He was not the only one ready to continue the celebration. “I love that you want me.”
“I’ve wanted you from the day we met.”
Tightening his arms, Idris sprang up and wrapped his legs around Mac’s waist. Mac responded by reuniting their mouths and walking them farther into the room. They bumped against one long dresser, the same one they’d first had sex on, and Idris shoved aside the statue of a wizard Delaney gave him. Mac set him down on the smooth surface and Idris worked his hands in between them so he could attack Mac’s fly.
Mac’s lips moved down his jaw, and his knuckles bumped against Idris’s aching cock as he tried to free Idris from the tight dragonskin pants. Suddenly overcome with the heat in the room, Idris let go of his mate long enough to rip his T-shirt off. Mac took the opportunity to suck on one hard nipple. Idris’s head fell back against the wall behind him as he fought the need to come. Mac’s tongue and teeth worked over the hard nub as Idris humped the air.
Before his balls could empty into his briefs, Mac pulled away. Idris managed to lift his lashes to find Mac smiling at him. He grabbed one of Idris’s shoes and untied the laces, then tossed it onto the floor. His second one got the same treatment. Idris, caught between the lassitude of the alcohol in his system and the pounding strength of his overworked hormones, could only stare at him. His socks hit the floor next, and Mac took a step back.
“Where are you going?” he demanded.
Mac unbuttoned his shirt. “We have way too many clothes on.”
“Yes,” he managed as he eagerly watched his mate undress. His movements were quick, and it was only seconds later when he was pushing his pants and underwear down his legs. Idris licked his lips as his thick cock slapped his belly when he stood.
“Come here, sweetheart.”
Somehow Idris succeeded in getting to his feet. Mac shoved his hands into the tight dragonskin Idris was wearing and pushed them to the floor. The cool air in the bedroom hit Idris’s rigid sex as Mac peeled off his briefs. In the back of his mind, Idris wanted to help Mac but was powerless to do so. Once he was naked, Idris plastered himself to Mac, whose arms wrapped around him.
The dragon shifter lifted him a few inches off the floor and turned them toward the bed. Once the mattress hit the back of Idris’s legs, Mac lowered them both to it. His body came over Idris’s, and he attacked Mac’s mouth with gusto. Since he was on the bottom, Idris spread his legs and bent his knees, so he could get as much friction on his dick as possible. Mac grinded against him, and Idris answered by pistoning his hips as he raced toward satisfaction.
Once again, Mac’s lips journeyed over his heated skin. After sucking the lobe of his ear, Mac whispered, “You looked so sexy tonight.” He rocked faster against him, and Idris’s spine arched as he gripped Mac’s damp back. “You were moving on that dance floor the same way you do when we fuck. I was hard the whole time.”
“I love it when we fuck,” Idris panted out. He was having trouble getting air into his lungs and could only focus on his cock gliding against Mac’s. His eyes squeezed shut as Mac moaned. It’s the best music in the world, Idris thought as he lost the battle to simply enjoy himself. Digging his feet into the bed below him, Idris pushed upward. His muscles locked as he roared out his release. Mac’s shout sounded in the room as he too came.
Breathless but absurdly happy, Idris unclenched the fingers he’d locked onto Mac’s ass. “Today was perfect,” he whispered. “Most people don’t get to have perfect days, but now I’ve had two of them.”
Mac kissed his neck, then his mouth. “Every day with you is perfect.”
Idris chuckled, elated by love and alcohol. “Now you’re making me sound like a bad mate.”
“I can’t imagine a better mate than you.”
Smiling, Idris hugged Mac tight. “Don’t try.”
“No worries. Anyone better than you is an impossibility.” Another soft kiss fell onto Idris’s welcoming lips. “I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you too.”
“We need to get cleaned up. You going to help me or just lie there with that big grin on your face?”
Idris spread his hands wide over the bedspread. His legs flopped down onto the mattress, but he didn’t have a care in the world. “Just going to lie here and thank Fate for you.”
Mac slowly lifted his weight off Idris. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to hear from you. You’re only drunk and covered in come.”
Closing his eyes, Idris laughed like a loon. Maybe he would wait until morning to tell her what an amazing life she gave him.
Chapter 39
“You guys should come out with me tonight,” Duff insisted as Idris gathered up the last of his notes on Immortalis. It was Saturday, and all the sorcerers involved in his project were arriving.
“Look dude, we had a good time last week, but that doesn’t mean Idris and I are going to sign up to go out every weekend,” Delaney replied. Even if they had wanted to go out, it would be impossible. They were going to attempt the potion and it would tire them significantly.
“Well, I want to get laid.”
“No one’s stopping you,” Delaney said.
“I still say you’re missing out and—hey, Idris, did I tell you how much better it feels with a woman?”
Delaney offered him a bland stare. “He’s gay. I can assure you he doesn’t agree.”
“I thought I was gay until I fucked that girl. Now I know I like both, but I didn’t bother having sex with her friend. His dick was way too small, which I told him. He was pissed, but who cares? I hope he’s not there tonight though, because he kept calling me names when I bumped into him later.”
Idris was trying to ignore the conversation. Somehow, he’d managed to be busy enough to avoid it since their night out, but he should’ve known Duff wasn’t going to spare them any details. “I hope you have a nice time tonight.”
Duff crossed his arms over his chest and glared. “You aren’t going to change your mind and come with me?”
“Sorry, n
o. Del got a new movie in the mail today, and we’re going to watch it with Mac and Carter.” It was the perfect way to relax after using so much magic.
“Give me some of that to carry,” Mac demanded, and Idris handed over the two notebooks he’d filled with information.
Duff’s expression was smug. “Mac doesn’t have a choice. He has to go tonight. He’s the duke in charge of all of us.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, kid. Hadley already volunteered to go. He’s going to drive you to the closest Dérive teleporting station, which is right outside the club, so you’ll walk from there. You’re free to do whatever you want as long as you don’t leave, and he’ll be happy to come home whenever you’re ready,” Mac said.
“How am I going to get laid with a sentinel hanging around?” Duff asked.
“You had no problem last week when there were tons of them around,” Delaney argued. “You just want to fight about it.”
“You’re jealous of me.”
“He’s not and I need him for our meeting. Talk to you later, Duff,” Idris replied and tugged Delaney out the door.
“I want to punch him,” Delaney muttered.
“I don’t feel like we know him at all,” Idris told him as they walked down the hall and arrived at the space that was changed into a makeshift conference room for anyone who needed it.
“I wish I knew what his deal is,” Delaney complained as they found seats at the long table. All the sorcerers were grabbing chairs and the young, handsome version of Vadimas was still a shock to the system.
“We’ll begin whenever you’re ready, Idris,” the Prism Wizard said as soon as the room quieted.
“Okay,” he replied. “This morning, I finally got the success rate of Immortalis to over ninety percent. I have faith that we’re ready to do this. It won’t be easy, but I know we’ll be successful in the end. Renny, were you, Scheredin, and Brexton able to come up with a spell to highlight the potion as we’re casting?”
“Yes,” Renny answered. “It should be bright and will burn through the colors you guys will be producing. It’s difficult to determine how hard we’ll have to cast without having enough experience around demonic hybrids like Chand, but between the three of us we’ve got more than enough power to give you guys a good visual.”
Irresistible Indigo (D'Vaire, Book 9) Page 28
