“Yeah.”
“But be ready because later I’m going to make love to you all night,” Drystan said.
“You damn well better.”
Chapter 44
Walking back down the hall in jeans, T-shirts, and sans footwear, Drystan and Conley passed by Aleksander’s office only to find him in it. Conley tugged on Drystan’s hand. “I want to talk to Aleksander for a minute.”
“Aleksander,” Drystan called out. “You got a minute?”
“Sure, what’s up?” Aleksander asked. “Hey, you finished your matebond. Gorgeous marks.”
“Thank you,” they chorused.
“Shouldn’t your rings be gold, though? You were emperors,” Aleksander said.
“We were told that, but these were the rings given to us by my mother and the ones we used to make our promises to each other,” Drystan explained.
“That certainly supersedes the tradition of only wearing gold,” Aleksander said with a smile.
Conley sat down next to Drystan on the couch and was promptly pulled into his lap. He’d always been one to sit close to Drystan, though rarely on his lap, but he knew neither one of them could handle any distance after all that transpired.
“What can I do for you?” Aleksander asked.
“First, thank you for offering to let my parents come and stay here,” Drystan said.
“Your son lives here, that makes them family.”
“Chrysander knows King Ethelin pushed hard to keep you ostracized, but he doesn’t know he’s your father, does he?” Conley asked.
“No, and I would prefer it not become public knowledge,” Aleksander said. “We’ve worked hard to put the past behind us. We don’t speak his name around here.”
“When we met, you told us he thought you were cursed because of your coloring,” Conley began.
“Yes.”
“You were at Court Draconis; why didn’t you tell Chrysander what you told us when he arrived? I know he wouldn’t have put stock in the curse if he knew it was just an angry father being cruel toward his son,” Conley said.
“We weren’t there by the time Chrysander arrived,” Aleksander explained. “The night you were murdered, we were asked to leave.”
“During the night?” Drystan asked.
“I was told my curse led to your deaths.”
“He blamed you for his deeds and sent you to the wilderness, didn’t he?” Conley asked.
“Yes.”
“The dragons turned their backs on you,” Drystan said.
“We learned to avoid our own kind. Even those that didn’t know our name, which had become synonymous with curse, eyed me with trepidation. It became easier to keep to ourselves,” Aleksander explained.
“You still avoid them. Chrys says you have yet to attend a dragon festival,” Drystan said.
“Nor do I intend to. My job is to be here and care for this sanctuary,” Aleksander said. “We are no longer just dragons, and I doubt all of my people would be welcome there anyway.”
“I understand your trepidation, but if you never leave here, you’ll never meet your mate,” Conley said.
“Perhaps I’m not ready to do that.”
“You’re no longer a dragon to be feared,” Drystan said. “We’ve talked about this before. D’Vaire is a respected name now, and your reputation continues to grow.”
“You think I’m scared to leave here?” Aleksander asked with an edge in his voice.
“Aren’t you?” Conley asked.
“Kings don’t have the luxury of being scared or having phobias,” Aleksander said.
“We were kings once,” Drystan said. “We had fears. We had doubts. You can only try your best and hope it’s good enough.”
“You needn’t punish yourself; our deaths weren’t your fault,” Conley added.
“A king of the realm sleeping in the castle while his emperors are murdered in their bedroom. How did I not hear an entire human army marching through the place? Why wasn’t I there defending you?” Aleksander asked, his dark eyes troubled.
“You weren’t meant to, and with the number of men who charged us, it may have meant your death as well,” Conley said.
“I can only imagine the reason they were able to get the better of you both was because you were unable to shift; that wouldn’t have been the case for someone not trapped in a bedroom. I lived in a castle while I was young. I was a prince. I know very well how they are laid out,” Aleksander said. “I don’t care what kind of damage it would have done to the castle, I would have shifted either inside or out and you wouldn’t have died.”
“Don’t take on blame that is meant for Bernal and his cohorts. The castle was a giant monstrosity. I can easily see how someone could sleep through those men doing what they did,” Conley said. “They would’ve been instructed to go straight to our bedroom, making as little noise as possible.”
“I don’t mean to make you continue talking about this; I know this day must be extraordinarily difficult for you both. I have lived with this in my head for a long time and have often wondered what I could have done to change history,” Aleksander said.
“This day has been so unbelievable it may be years before I can wrap my mind around it,” Drystan said.
“You’re a good king, Aleksander, and what you are doing with this sanctuary is amazing,” Conley said. “Remember that.”
“And know Chrys thinks very highly of you as do I,” Drystan said.
“The feeling is mutual,” Aleksander said.
“Your coloring is unique for a reason; wear your differences with pride,” Conley said.
“Around here being a freak is a bonus,” Aleksander said with a grin.
“Anyone can be ordinary. It takes guts to be special,” Conley said.
“Now, can I get a beer and a steak?” Drystan asked.
“I thought you’d never ask,” Aleksander said as he stood. Conley hopped off Drystan’s lap, grabbed his hand, and patted Aleksander on the back as they all headed out of his office.
“Enough of this emotional shit for a while. I want to relax so I can enjoy watching Drystan get his ass handed to him tomorrow,” Conley said. Aleksander laughed and Drystan groaned. Conley winked at his mate; the man was in such trouble, but he knew the Beradraconises would get over it soon enough. After all, they had their sons back and Conley couldn’t wait to see them.
* * *
Steaks had been devoured and the beer flowed freely as Drystan and Conley celebrated their matebond with the D’Vaires and the other assembled guests. Much to Dra’Kaedan’s delight, the cake had also been cut and distributed. Now they were sprawled in a chaise lounge with Conley lying atop Drystan’s firm body. His head was cushioned on his chest and Drystan had his fingers tucked into Conley’s front jean pocket. The sun was making its descent and a spray of brilliant color painted the sky. There was music playing, but it wasn’t anything Conley recognized. The sorcerers and half of the elves in attendance were in the lawn moving gracefully to its rhythm.
“I hope you don’t think we’re going to call you Your Majesty now,” Vann quipped from the seat next to them.
“That title belongs to Chrys,” Drystan said.
“The Council is yours if you want it,” Chrysander said with a grin.
“Nice try, I already told you I don’t want your fucking job,” Drystan said.
“Besides, we aren’t even dragons anymore,” Conley said. “I’m going to miss that. I loved flying.”
“It’s hard to imagine not having my beast,” Aleksander said.
“Well, I’d love to soar again, but I am content to be a fallen knight,” Conley said. “I’ve enjoyed my job so far.”
“You think I’ve got some crazy story too? Drystan and I have shit in common,” Vann said. Conley knew he was referring to his issues with sex and sexuality.
“I want you to speak to Chand about it,” Drystan said. “If you have a mate somewhere, we’ll do whatever it takes to reunite you.”
/> “I was already thinking I’d ask him,” Vann said.
“Since you brought up Chand, I have to say the Council can’t function well if the Order of the Fallen Knights is at odds with another race,” Chrys said.
“The Reverent Knights have personal issues with the Arch Lich which they will work out given time,” Conley said. “But the Order of the Fallen Knights has no problem whatsoever with the Order of Necromancia or any other race.”
“That’s pretty much what I expected you to say,” Chrys said. “But I had to check.”
“Politics are a royal pain in the ass,” Drystan said.
“He’s been complaining about that since he was made a king,” Conley informed the group.
“Speaking of politics, I’m cancelling the meeting with the humans,” Roman said. “Fuck them, they murdered you in your bedroom.”
“Those who did are long dead,” Conley said.
“The Council has always encouraged strengthening our relationship with humans whenever possible,” Chrysander said. “But I will be honest since we are among friends here. I have no use for their kind.”
“I don’t want to blame an entire race for the actions of one group of men who are now dead,” Drystan said. “But I think right now the wounds in my mind are too fresh for me to deal fairly with them. We can revisit the idea of meeting with them when I have had time to reconcile the past.”
“My head is this mess of the past and present,” Conley said. “But I have to say there are some definite advantages to being alive now.”
“Indoor plumbing. Immunity to extreme temperatures. Immortality. Invisibility,” Drystan began. “I could go on and on.”
“Yeah, you smell better,” Conley said.
“Gee, thanks.”
“And you were able to have a child,” Conley added. “You always wanted kids.”
“He wanted one back then?” Trystan asked.
“Oh yeah, you should have seen his face when I told him having a male mate meant we wouldn’t have children of our own,” Conley said.
“Wait,” Trystan said. “You said you met when Dad was seventeen. Why did you have to tell him that? Dad, shouldn’t you have already known two guys can’t make a baby?”
“Shut up,” Drystan said.
“I told you, he was horribly naïve,” Conley said with a chuckle.
“So you aren’t mad he had a son without you?” Trystan asked.
Conley turned his head to meet the blue eyes that were nearly identical to Drystan’s. “No way. I’m glad he had you. I’m just sorry you had to deal with him on your own.”
“Right? He can be so annoying,” Trystan said. “Especially when he pouts.”
“Grown men do not pout,” Drystan said.
“His mom used to get on his case about it,” Conley informed Drystan’s son.
“I can’t wait to meet her.”
“None of us can wait,” Vann said. “It’s going to be fantastic. We can call his mom whenever he has a tantrum.”
“I don’t have tantrums, asshole,” Drystan said.
Conley smiled. Drystan was so in for it tomorrow when his parents did arrive, and he knew it. Hopefully, for his sake, they would be so happy to be reunited they wouldn’t take him to task for too long.
“Your parents passed away, right?” Trystan asked Conley.
“They did. We were still kings then,” Conley said. “But I was never close to them. Aeron and Helen were my parents more than they ever were.”
“I guess they will be just as overjoyed to see you as they will be Dad, right?” Trystan asked.
Drystan snorted. “You kidding me? They like him better. They’ve never yelled at him. Not once.”
“Perhaps because I never deserved it.”
“Hmmph.”
Conley didn’t bother replying; he knew his mate was proud of the fact he considered Aeron and Helen their parents instead of only Drystan’s. He had never once made Conley feel like he resented the affection they gave him. It was one of Drystan’s most beautiful qualities, his open-mindedness to the world around him. As spoiled a child Drystan may have been, he wanted Conley to receive all the love he had missed in his own hollow upbringing. It wasn’t enough to simply love Conley on his own, he wanted him to know the fondness of an entire family. It was no wonder he had fallen so hard for the man—not once but twice. Conley was so incredibly thankful to be able to have an eternity to express his adoration for his other half, and he knew Drystan would remember why they owed so much to Arch Lich Chander Daray when his ire cooled. So for now, Conley was content to set the issue aside and allow Drystan to handle it on his own. And if he should need a kick in the ass in the future, well, Conley was just the man to do it.
Chapter 45
Finally, Drystan thought as he shut the door to the bedroom he and Conley were using for the weekend. He’d been afraid he was never going to get him alone. The man seemed perfectly content to spend the whole damn night outside with the D’Vaires and the other guests. Conley walked a few steps in front of Drystan but stopped once he got to the bed. He didn’t say a word, he simply raised a chestnut brow.
“Take off your clothes,” Drystan ordered. Conley didn’t hesitate and ripped both his T-shirt and jeans off. If he had been wearing underwear, they were now on the floor as well. His lithe body was more muscled than he remembered but that was likely due to the demands of being a fallen knight. Conley’s dick was standing at attention, and Drystan was in the same condition by the time he leisurely pulled off his clothing.
“Get the fuck over here,” Conley demanded before he sat down and scooted to the center of the mattress. Drystan sauntered across the wooden floor and climbed over Conley’s prone body. Conley grabbed his face in his hands and mashed their mouths together. It went from hot to sizzling in an instant. Drystan was more than willing to give his man what he wanted but after waiting all this time to have him, he was damn well going to take his time. He lowered his body against Conley’s and they both moaned into the kiss as their hard cocks made contact. Shoving his hands under Conley’s head, he tilted it back with his thumbs as he thrust his tongue further down his mate’s throat.
The little mewling noises that had been a part of sex with Conley since they first made love were music to Drystan’s ears when they began to echo through the room. This time together was both a beginning and the continuation of all they had meant to each other a lifetime ago. They devoured each other, and Drystan’s dick hardened even further when Conley began wiggling underneath him. It was time to slow things down a bit, or they would both blow their loads.
Tearing his mouth away, Drystan laid a line of kisses across Conley’s jawline before latching on to his neck. Conley arched his spine and pressed their bodies closer together. Freeing his hands, Drystan moved down so he could skim his lips over Conley’s collarbone, down the line between his pecs and onto his belly. Conley tried pistoning his hips up higher so he could get some friction on his cock but Drystan pulled his bottom half out of reach.
“Why are you torturing me?” Conley’s voice was thick with lust.
“I’d never torture you,” Drystan said. “I’m loving you.”
Sliding backward, Drystan clamped his hands down on the top of his man’s thighs and spread his legs so he could maneuver his body between them. Once Conley was stretched out below him like a feast, he lowered his mouth to his ankle. Stroking his palms down, he then slowly began working his way up toward Conley’s groin.
“I’m going to spend the rest of eternity worshiping you,” Drystan whispered against his skin. When he got to his knee, he made another promise. “Wherever you go, whatever you do, I’ll be at your side forever.”
He continued his journey as Conley twisted beneath him. By the time Drystan’s cheek was pressed against one of his balls, the sounds coming from his man were plaintive whines.
“I longed for you when I was alone,” Drystan murmured as he dropped yet another kiss on Conley’s fevered skin. “I was
waiting for this. Waiting for you.”
“For Fate’s sake, would you suck my dick already?” Conley burst out.
Chuckling, Drystan replied by wrapping his arms around Conley’s legs to keep him in place and without any warning for his mate, swallowed him down. Conley let out a yell and Drystan sucked hard. He was not going to allow Conley to come yet, but he wanted to enjoy the taste of him for a few moments longer. It was a flavor he had begun craving centuries ago and Conley had been leaking copiously before Drystan had attacked. With not a small amount of regret, he allowed Conley’s cock to fall from his lips.
“What the actual fuck, Drys?” Conley demanded as he pushed himself up off the bed. “I need to come.”
“Not yet,” Drystan said before grabbing a pillow and tossing it halfway down the mattress. “Roll over.”
“Why?” Conley asked.
“Love, trust me,” Drystan said.
Conley eyed him warily but did as he was asked. He shimmied a bit as he struggled to find a comfortable spot for his dick on the pillow but he eventually stilled.
“Con, spread your legs.”
Once his order had been obeyed, Drystan climbed between them. He glided his hands up to Conley’s ass and with his thumbs, he unveiled the starburst he had every intention of burying himself in soon.
“Drys?” Conley’s voice was hesitant and his body had tensed slightly.
“Relax, love,” Drystan said as he hunkered down. The one thing he had never done in all their time together was eat his man out, and he had every intention of rectifying that situation.
He pressed his lips to Conley’s pink hole and then licked around it. Conley made a sound like a wolf baying at the moon and as he continued his onslaught, he managed to press his ass even closer to Drystan’s face. Conley seemed to be enjoying every caress of his tongue and when he dipped it into his opening, he began humping the mattress beneath him. Drystan savored the tang of Conley’s taste as he greedily consumed him. As Conley’s gyrations became more jerky and intense, Drystan realized he was close, and he had no intention of allowing him to finish yet.
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