Dre’Kariston’s dark brows drew together. “You want my help? Are you out of your fucking mind? Why the fuck would you think I would ever help you?”
“I’m stuck as a skeleton. Those necromancers. They professed to be elders and claimed they knew about magic. That Sigimund resurrected me against my will, and now I have no power. I need power. With him dead, I only had Herminia, Wigmar, and Drusa to help me. They gave me an endless lifespan, but their spell also backfired, leaving me like this. This existence is intolerable. I need you to make me corporeal to restore me. I can’t abide this unrelenting hunger any longer.”
“You’re fucking crazy if you think we give a shit,” Dra’Kaedan spat out. “Where are the elders? Where’s that bitch of a granddaughter of yours?”
“There’s no need for name calling, and I don’t know where Latarian is. The necros wouldn’t tell me,” Carvallius returned.
“He’s not being entirely truthful,” Bridger stated.
“Bridger, come on. We were friends once. You were such a help to Hubert, a very obedient sentinel to your necromancer. Surely you have some pity in your heart for an old man turned into a skeleton against his will,” Carvallius said. His voice was oily, and Dra’Kaedan’s lip curled.
“He had no choice but to help Hubert. Bridger couldn’t disobey an order any more than the rest of his brethren could before they were freed, and I can assure you he doesn’t give two shits what happens to your crazy ass,” Dra’Kaedan retorted.
“Tell us where to find the former elders and Latarian,” Aleksander demanded.
“I told you, I don’t know where they are,” Carvallius replied.
Next to Dra’Kaedan, the two Reverent Knights as well as the Venerable Knights appeared. “Who’s our friend?” Drystan asked.
“It’s fucking Carvallius of Mallent,” Dre’Kariston answered, his eyes blazing with fury.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Carvallius,” Drystan commented. “I wish I could say it was a pleasure to meet you, but I’d really rather be murdered again than be anywhere near someone so vile they could destroy their own people.”
The two Venerable Knights crossed the barrier, and they switched places with the Coven Lords, grabbing the arms of the skeletal Carvallius. “It’s going to be a real pleasure to prosecute you for not only a litany of war crimes but the abduction of the Grand Warlock and the attempted murder of the Grand Summoner.”
“He’s the one who killed me,” Carvallius shouted. He tried to pull away from the fallen knights, but they were way too strong for him to gain any ground.
Dre’Kariston gave him a baleful stare. “If you think I’m sorry for killing you, you’re even more batshit crazy than I thought. I only wish I’d made you suffer longer before I knocked your ass across the veil.”
“I’m a warlock. I’m one of your people. You must help me,” Carvallius pleaded.
“No, I’m afraid you’re not one of our people,” Dra’Kaedan retorted. “Our people—my parents—were all burned in pyres because of your greed and lust for power. That’s the legacy of Carvallius of Mallent. An evil fuck who destroyed the warlocks and you know what? I would sooner burn myself than lift one fucking finger to help you. I’m going to spend my time instead figuring out how to kill a skeleton and make sure no one ever resurrects your ass again.”
“You’re grown men now. You must know your parents made mistakes. I could’ve made the warlocks better,” Carvallius complained.
“He’s not really fucking standing here talking shit about our parents, is he?” Dre’Kariston demanded. Dra’Kaedan grew a bit concerned that his brother would cross through their barrier to unleash some of the rage they both felt. His eyes were wild with fury and grief.
“If he wasn’t a skeleton, I’d say he has balls,” Conley remarked. “I can’t figure out if he’s really stupid enough to show up here thinking you two were going to help him or if there isn’t something more nefarious in his mind.”
“I think we can count on the fact that he’s got shit up his sleeve,” Brogan barked out. “I want to know where the fuck the others are.”
“I don’t have to answer to any of you,” Carvallius retorted.
“No, you don’t but I can assure you, no matter where they are or what they have planned, we’re going to stop them. You can’t save yourself. You will pay for your crimes. We might not have the ability to execute a skeleton, but I know a pretty amazing group of sorcerers who are going to figure it out,” Drystan warned. “You might be able to make it easier on the granddaughter you love if you tell us where to find her.”
“I told you, I don’t know where she is,” Carvallius responded.
“It’s at least a partial lie,” Bridger stated.
“Where are the former necromancer elders?” Conley demanded.
“All I can tell you is that they are with Latarian, wherever she is,” Carvallius answered.
“Aleksander, do you mind if I ask Chieftain Cadlyr of the Cwylld to join us?” Dre’Kariston asked. “I have an idea, and I believe he might be able to help us with Carvallius here.”
“You won’t help me, but you’ll call upon a Cwylld for assistance,” Carvallius shot out. “Who’s the traitor to the Coven of Warlocks now?”
“Apparently you haven’t been brought up to speed on our family,” Aleksander drawled out. “Chieftain Cadlyr is a valued and loved member of Court D’Vaire. Dre’Kariston, if you believe he can help, he’s welcome to join us.”
Dra’Kaedan had a pretty good idea of how Cadlyr could help, but he let his brother run the show. Dre’Kariston tapped his fingers on the screen of his phone, then disappeared. When he returned, he had Cadlyr with him.
“Carvallius of Mallent, it’s been awhile. I’m sure you remember me. You once carved a spell onto my back,” Cadlyr said. His lavender gaze was murderous.
“It was a favor to your parents. If you have a complaint, you should take it to their doorstep,” Carvallius argued.
Cadlyr’s grin was feral. “Oh, I did. Not only did they have you put a dark spell on me, taking away my choices, you robbed my brother of his matebond for a thousand years and took his sight. For arranging both of those things, my parents paid with their lives. I buried a spear right in my dear father’s heart.”
“You allow two murderers under your roof, and I’m the one called evil,” Carvallius sneered.
Pulling his hand out of his pocket, Cadlyr lifted his arm and revealed a milky white stone trimmed in pale blues and purples lying in his palm. “Do you recognize this stone, Carvallius?”
“You’re draining the magic of the warlocks standing next to you,” Carvallius responded. “I’m a skeleton with no power. You can’t hurt me with the Cwylld stones any longer.”
“Not true, Carvallius. The Cwylld carried a secret not even you were privy to. Two men were captured by me in separate wars. They were kept quiet and comatose in a cave with one of these stones resting on their chests. I’m going to offer this one to our good Reverent Knights, so they can lay it right on your bones until a spell can be found to end your life for good. I’d suggest you enjoy what hours you have left of consciousness. They’ll be your last,” Cadlyr retorted.
“You’re awesome, Cadlyr.” Dra’Kaedan lifted a hand and used his magic to create a small copper box, which Cadlyr placed the stone into. It would allow the fallen knights to carry the rock without nullifying their senses.
“Thanks. This’ll come in handy,” Drystan stated after taking it from Dra’Kaedan. “But before we use it, I think we’ll find a nice, quiet interrogation room and see if we can’t get some more answers from this asshole. I’ll let you know if we learn anything.”
“Thank you,” Aleksander replied.
“Traitors,” Carvallius spat out.
Dre’Kariston’s laugh was wicked. “He really hurt my feelings.”
“Come on, asshole. I’m going to let you ride with Reverent Knight Conley. He drives like a crazy person. It’ll make you wish you were alread
y back on the other side of the veil,” Venerable Knight Arvandus taunted as they walked him toward the road.
Dra’Kaedan leaned a little against Brogan as the group of men strode away. He was sure they’d get nothing more from Carvallius. “At least we’ve got one of them.”
“And he was likely the brains of their little operation,” Dre’Kariston added.
“It won’t be safe until they’re all caught,” Brogan insisted.
Aleksander’s face was grim. “And dead. How long will it take you to figure out how to end his life?”
“No one’s ever killed a skeleton. Cut something off and it grows right back. But we’ve figured out some amazing things together—it just might take time,” Dre’Kariston responded. His brother’s eyes were full of determination, and Dra’Kaedan was sure at some point they would accomplish their task.
“We’ve got an eternity to figure it out. That Cwylld stone will make him comatose for as long as it takes,” Dra’Kaedan said. The danger was far from over, but he would sleep a little easier tonight, knowing they’d found Carvallius. Giving a side glance to his sexy mate, he amended his thoughts. He would use that extra time to jump his always willing dragon. It was the perfect way to deal with the multitude of emotions churning in his belly. The evil depths of Carvallius’s deeds were a stain that would never go away, and Dra’Kaedan would make sure the man paid—for murdering his parents as well as everyone else—with warlock blood.
Chapter 44
On Saturday night after dinner, Idris found himself sitting out on the deck. The sun was still high in the sky and just past where he sat, Cadlyr and Evlithar were taking their evening stroll. At Idris’s side was the man he cherished, and he turned to smile at him.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart,” Mac replied, then leaned over to kiss him. “Any particular reason you felt like telling me that right now?”
“Nope, I just like saying it. I like knowing you’re in my heart and that I’m in yours.”
“Pretty incredible, right?”
Idris nodded with a great deal of enthusiasm. “Absolutely.”
“I never imagined you were here waiting for me when I filled out that incredibly long application.”
“I’m so glad you applied.”
“Me too,” Mac responded. He reached up and petted Roger. “And I’m grateful your familiar took it upon himself to hunt me down. I would’ve had to wait two more weeks to meet you, and you already know how I feel about that.”
“I’m just glad I asked Fate for you. Who knows how long it would have taken her to realize it if I hadn’t told her.”
“Well, she certainly wasn’t going to ignore one of the sorcerers she imbued with such power inside. Though, you guys didn’t sound so sure of yourself at that meeting earlier today.”
Idris scrunched up his nose. “Trying to execute a skeleton isn’t going to be easy. I still don’t even know where to start. His lifespan is eternal and although his immortality is not absolute like a sentinel or fallen knight, we lack any soft tissue to injure.”
“You guys will figure it out.”
“I’m just glad the Cwylld rock worked and that Carvallius is unconscious, but I wish he’d told the fallen knights more about where the others are. It’s tough knowing we’re all still in such danger.”
“I didn’t really expect the guy to talk, but I wish he had. Who knows how long our family will have to continue looking over our shoulders no matter where we go.”
“Yeah, it sucks.”
“You ready to go back inside?”
“Almost. I just wanted to thank you for coming with me to meet my parents.”
Mac’s jaw twitched. “They don’t deserve you.”
“I do wish they’d been nicer, but I’m glad I met them. Now I don’t have to wonder about my childhood or live out fantasies about how wonderful my life could’ve been if I hadn’t wound up at my grandfather’s house. I was destined to have a crappy childhood, but that’s okay because I’m happy now. I’m surrounded by people I love and who love me in return. I’m not greedy enough to ask for more and yet I have it. I was given tons of power, and now I can help the Spectra Wizardry. I won’t waste time thinking of them in the future, because they aren’t worth it.”
“Your positive outlook on life should be bottled and sold. It’s that incredible,” Mac said.
“I’m just glad to have you. Everything else is a bonus.”
“I don’t know—you were pretty excited when you told Aleksander to change your name to D’Vaire.”
Idris let out a chuckle. “Vioric to me is my past, and I love being a D’Vaire.”
“I like that I’m a part of your future.”
After getting to his feet and waiting for Mac to do the same, he wrapped his arms around his waist. “What about the present? Would you like to do something for me right now?”
“If you’ve got some fantasy about having sex out on the deck, it’ll need to wait until after everyone goes to bed. No one sees you naked but me.”
“Party pooper.”
Mac kissed his nose, then his mouth. “March yourself inside, young man.”
Idris pulled away with a laugh, and Mac took his hand. They left the warm, fragrant air behind them and as usual, walked into chaos. Since Idris loved his family, he reveled in the excited voices and animated faces of all the men and women hanging out in the living room just beyond the large kitchen. Because Mac was a brave and tenacious dragon, he waded into the chaos with Idris at his back. Idris offered a smile to the other D’Vaires as he grabbed a seat on one of the vacant sofas. Mac dropped down next to him and Idris snuggled close.
“Hey, Idris, did you want to go out tonight?” Duff asked. “I’m trying to talk Carter and Del into coming too.”
Delaney rolled his eyes. “I’m not going out.”
“You had a good time when we went out,” Duff argued. “You were dancing and there was at least one guy who wanted to have sex with you.”
“I’m not going. I hate that shitty music,” Carter said.
“It’s not shitty. It’s great,” Duff retorted.
“Sorry, Duff. I don’t want to go out tonight. I’m going to hang out with my mate and my family,” Idris said. “I think it’s great that you’ve found something you enjoy, and I’m happy when the people around me are having fun, but I think you should understand that we all have different likes and dislikes. Del isn’t into clubs, and Carter hates the music. It’s just not their thing. You said the last time you went you ran into some people who were there the first time, and they were friendly. Maybe you should see if they’re available and want to hang out with you at the club tonight.”
“I just want you guys to have fun,” Duff replied. “I was already planning on calling my friends. I wanted you guys to join us.”
“We have different ideas of fun. It’s as simple as that,” Delaney responded. “Like Idris, I’m glad you’ve found an avenue to enjoy yourself, but it doesn’t appeal to me.”
“I’d just like to point out one more time that a little sexual experience wouldn’t hurt you,” Duff stated.
“I’ve already decided I’m waiting for my mate. I shouldn’t have to justify that decision to you or anyone. As far as the club is concerned, I did enjoy myself, and I’ll go again at some point, but I don’t need it to be a regular thing,” Delaney said.
“I think you should ask Fate for your mate,” Idris suggested. “Look at me. I did it and Mac showed up ready to protect us. Fate hit every mark on my checklist too.”
Mac grinned and kissed Idris. “Yeah, I’m even not that stupid.”
“You bring up a good point,” Idris told Mac. “I had a brief list and I wasn’t greedy. I think Fate appreciated that and gave me above and beyond what I asked for.”
Delaney shrugged. “I guess it couldn’t hurt.” He lifted his head toward the ceiling. “Okay, Fate. I feel pretty stupid right now, but I’m going to ask you if you can bring me my mat
e. Let’s see, I’d like my mate to be a guy. He doesn’t have to be super gorgeous or anything. Uh…he doesn’t have to be a genius, but I’d prefer if he wasn’t an idiot. Like Idris, I don’t want to be with someone who isn’t nice. Thanks, Fate, for listening and if you could send him soon, I’d be grateful.”
“You forgot to tell her you want a dragon,” Idris whispered.
“I’m not particular. He doesn’t have to be a dragon. I like all kinds of different magickind and shifters. I’ll leave it up to her to decide,” Delaney replied.
“Okay, I guess I just assumed you wanted a dragon because of Greggory.”
“You know, I really think I was obsessed with dragons when I was younger because this is where I was meant to be. When I figured out I had no place to go, I was crazy excited about D’Vaire because it’s a dragon court. It hit me right then that I had Greggory because I belonged to D’Vaire. I turned out to be right. And it’s cool that the duke who protects us is the same color as Greggory. In my mind, it’s kind of a full circle thing,” Delaney explained.
Idris beamed at his best friend. “That’s really cool. I didn’t think about it like that. I always pictured you with a dragon shifter like me. Now I’m going to start imagining all kinds of options and see if I get it right when your mate shows up.”
“I thought your dragon-mate was going to be more indigo color,” Delaney confessed. “I was surprised he was a black one instead.”
“Fate’s smarter than all of us. I’m Idris’s dragon, but I am also the color of yours. Obviously, she intended for me to protect you both,” Mac said. “So, if I had to guess, I’d say your mate’s not someone involved in security or protection.”
“Doesn’t really narrow down the field much,” Delaney complained.
“Okay, Duff. Your turn,” Idris coaxed.
Duff raised his gaze upward. “Not ready for my mate but I’ll start my wish list. I want a woman, but wait until I’ve had time to sample some more.” He shrugged. “Or maybe a guy would be okay. I’m not sure. Perhaps you could give me one of each? In the meantime, send lots of both my way so I can get laid.”
Irresistible Indigo (D'Vaire, Book 9) Page 32
