He was no longer a brash youth but a man who had withstood pain and humiliation and despite the cruel treatment of the people around him, he’d had enough courage to give his friendship to a sardonic Acwellan elf with pain radiating from every power. The silly Edion offered him sanctuary and sought to find a way to help him heal. It was that resolute spirit he’d remember and he would show the same pluck in the centuries ahead when life would offer them obstacles.
One thing was for certain, he had earned Lorcan’s trust. His mate’s nature was not an easy one, and he had been sucked into a hell of his own making for so long, he’d forgotten how to feel anything but anguish. So to finally have his loyalty was quite a boon. Like Talfryn, the years that separated them had not been easy ones, but he’d grieved and was slowly letting his memories fade.
The self-inflicted torture Lorcan had subjected himself to had left scars. Some visible, like the changed color of his eyes, while others lingered under the skin where only Lorcan truly knew how deep they cut. As he continued his journey toward healing them, Talfryn planned to be right at his side. He nodded at his reflection as he smoothed his hands down the exquisite tunic he’d donned for this special day. It was even more ornate than the one he’d worn so many centuries ago.
Lorcan had truly outdone himself, and there was so much beading that the weight was no small matter. Walking over to their bed, he picked up the stunning cloak that went with his outfit. Dra’Kaedan had created a fabric that melted from lavender to black and Larissa had, with Talfryn’s help, hand-embroidered it. Lorcan had a similar one, though his was all black. He carefully slid the sleeves over his tunic and smoothed it down his chest. He was ready to be mated.
Leaving their room, Talfryn headed down the hall and discovered he was apparently the only one still in the house, so he picked up his pace. He was late for his own mating ceremony. Once he made it to the kitchen, he was nearly out of breath. He sucked in air and opened the back door. Outside, the entire D’Vaire family and their guests were dressed in traditional elven tunics and breezy linen pants. The sight warmed his heart.
It didn’t take him long to find Lorcan. He was standing in front of the fountain they’d dedicated the day before and was wearing all black. The beading under his cloak shimmered in the sun. His hair, which he refused to have decorated until it grew back, was pulled back at his nape and he was smiling. It was full of promise and lit up his dual-colored eyes. He held out his hand and Talfryn rushed forward to take it.
Once they were standing face-to-face, Talfryn couldn’t help but take Lorcan’s face into his hands and give him a warm kiss. He heard a throat being cleared to his right.
“Guys, you aren’t supposed to do that until the end,” Dra’Kaedan said.
“We haven’t started yet,” Talfryn argued.
Dra’Kaedan rolled his eyes before gesturing with something he held in his hands. “Dravyn made these for you.”
The objects were wreaths of flowers, the black and lavender roses that were featured in the memorial garden. Looking around, Talfryn saw the shy duke offering him a smile. “Thank you, Dravyn, they’re beautiful.”
“I went online and saw that elves wear these when they are mated,” Dravyn said.
“It is traditional and a detail I overlooked. I am grateful for your kindness,” Lorcan replied as Dra’Kaedan handed them to him. He placed one on Talfryn’s head and then handed him the other so he could reciprocate. Once they were in place, Aleksander came to stand in front of them and got the attention of the crowd.
“Draconis Court of D’Vaire. Today we are fortunate enough to be witnesses to the rejoining of Chieftain Lorcan Acwellan-D’Vaire to Chieftain-mate Talfryn Acwellan-D’Vaire. Elves have deep roots within magickind with celebrated traditions that date back as far as any known race.
“There are thousands of tribes within their illustrious history. Chieftain-mate Talfryn was born of the Cwylld. Once a community of soldiers, today they begin anew under the leadership of Chieftain Cadlyr. Talfryn’s mate, Chieftain Lorcan, leads a tribe with a warring past as well. The Acwellan’s beginnings are shrouded in mystery, but their ancestors passed on rare gifts. Demonic blood flows through the veins of the Acwellan, and they carry their beautiful wings with pride.
“The first matebond of Chieftain Lorcan and Chieftain-mate Talfryn was an elven ceremony. Today, they will use the customs of dragons and Court D’Vaire,” Aleksander announced and Talfryn laughed as their family cheered.
“Chieftain Cadlyr and Corwin, if you would please step forward,” Aleksander said and both men complied. To Talfryn and Lorcan he invited, “Gentlemen, if you will raise your palms.”
Using the beautiful athame that Lorcan had once sworn to kill Talfryn with, Cadlyr sliced open Lorcan’s palm. He then handed the knife to Corwin and he repeated the process on Talfryn’s hand.
“Acwellan elf to Cwylld elf. Chieftain to Chieftain-mate,” Aleksander said as he brought their lightly bleeding palms together.
Lorcan hissed as their blood mixed. The mating mark on his face rippled as the red bled away to reveal the lavender beneath. In his ear, the third hoop he’d placed there with hate simply evaporated into thin air.
After a few seconds to allow Lorcan to catch his breath, Aleksander began speaking again. “Their souls are now tied and their lives now forever linked. May their hearts always stay united so they may never want another. Dragons claim their mates with a bite that leaves no mark. Centuries ago, a draconic tradition began of exchanging rings. Chieftain Lorcan and Chieftain-mate Talfryn will now exchange bands to allow the world to bear witness to their joining.”
Dra’Kaedan handed each of them an exquisite metal band in black scrollwork that glistened with tiny pale amethysts. At the top and bottom of each one was a thin circle of the unique blue-black D’Vaire metal that matched Aleksander’s dragon. Sliding the ring onto Lorcan’s finger, Talfryn said, “Chosen by Fate and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate.”
Lorcan gave him a wink before he slid its twin on Talfryn’s finger. “Chosen by Fate and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate,” he repeated.
“In the tradition of the Draconis Court of D’Vaire and Dra’Kaedan’s Coven, your recommitment to each other is complete. We are all honored to have been able to bear witness to the rededication of your matebond,” Aleksander said before adding, “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Lorcan replied before he pulled Talfryn into a tight hug. Wrapping his arms around Lorcan’s neck, Talfryn closed his eyes and let out a heartfelt sigh.
“I love you, anleydir,” he told Lorcan who responded by pulling back and giving him a kiss. It was no chaste peck. Lorcan swept his tongue into Talfryn’s mouth and what could he do but reciprocate? It didn’t take more than a handful of seconds before his body was responding to the heat of his mate. He barely bit back a moan and realized belatedly they had an audience. He tried to end the caress but Lorcan wouldn’t let him. He sucked on his tongue and Talfryn all but melted against him.
“Do you think they forgot that we’re all standing here?” Corwin asked.
“No, I just don’t think they care,” Cadlyr replied. Their voices finally got through to Lorcan because he allowed Talfryn to ease away.
“We’re going to finish this later when we don’t have an audience,” Talfryn whispered.
Lorcan smiled. “Of course we are.”
“You look so handsome with our mating mark.”
“And you are gorgeous with our love shining in your eyes.”
“This is getting kind of gross,” Corwin said.
Laughing, Talfryn kissed Lorcan before sliding his hand into his palm. “Time to eat, maybe?”
“Cake!” Dra’Kaedan took off toward the house in a dead run.
“Wait until he remembers Noirin will make him eat dinner first,” Dre’Kariston said as the D’Vaires began the short walk back to the house where they would spend the evening celebrating.
* * *<
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The sun was setting as they finally dug into the cake of Dra’Kaedan’s sugary dreams. Dinner had been a delicious feast of exotic fruits and vegetables Dravyn and Noirin had managed to hunt down. The entire family had eaten elven style, and Talfryn could not imagine a better day. It far surpassed their first attempt at life as a couple, and there was no doubt in his mind that with this caring, wonderful family around them, this time they would succeed.
Before long, it was time to say good-bye to Idris and the Council leaders who had cleared their schedules to share this special weekend. Chander and Vadimas didn’t get much of an opportunity to grill Lorcan over the demonic abilities he possessed. They seemed to look at his mate with some kind of hero worship and he knew they would be back soon to ask all their questions. It would please Lorcan to share all that made the Acwellan so unique.
As they said farewell to the Reverent Knight, he lifted a dark eyebrow and pinned Lorcan with his sharp gaze. “You still haven’t filled out your form.”
“Form?” Lorcan asked.
“You’re kidding, right? Technically, you aren’t even legally here. All members of the Council of Sorcery and Shifters are required to fill it out and receive their identification card,” Drystan said. “Everyone has filled one out but you.”
“Maybe he’s the one elf who is pissed that it’s not the Council of Sorcery, Elves, and Shifters,” Renny threw in.
“Take it up with Emperor Chrysander,” Drystan fired back. “I expect to see that form tomorrow.”
“I’m going to be rather busy this evening,” Lorcan said, and under Talfryn’s tunic he patted his ass.
“Hey! Dra’Kaedan! Lorcan and Talfryn must take longer than five minutes to do it,” Renny called out.
With a flick of his wrist, Dra’Kaedan turned his familiar into a doll with blond curls and pointy elven ears. He handed it to Talfryn. “Congratulations on your matebond; have an ugly doll.”
Talfryn laughed and handed it to Dre’Kariston who was holding out his hand. He returned Renny to his normal form, and the familiar gave Dra’Kaedan a murderous look. The warlock took off running with Renny hot on his heels yelling out words of vengeance.
“It’s practically a re-enactment of our reunion. Minus the doll part,” Lorcan said and Talfryn leaned into him as he snickered.
“You certainly didn’t make it easy.”
“I was broken and lost in the dark.”
“As was I. A blind fool who wished for nothing more than a peaceful place to rest his head,” Talfryn said.
“And now you have me.”
“There’s nothing I’ve ever wanted more.”
“And I have you,” Lorcan said as he took Talfryn into his arms.
“Forever, anleydir. We have that, too.”
About the Author
Jessamyn Kingley lives in Western Maryland with her husband of nearly two decades. She considers it a bad day when the lovely men in her head refuse to speak to her. When she is not writing, Jessamyn is pretending to be one of the magickind she loves to create in the rich world of video gaming.
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Vengeance From The Dark (D'Vaire Book 3) Page 26
