Rise of the Lich Sentinel

by Jessamyn Kingley

  “Chrys has kept the schedule pretty light,” Drystan said. “A lot of discussion points, not much voting. I expect that trend to continue as long as you are recuperating.”

  “I don’t know how long that’s going to take. He may not be able to keep that up for an extended period.”

  “Take your time,” Conley advised. “The Council can wait. You need to worry about you right now.”

  “He’s right,” Alaric told him.

  “I know and the truth is I don’t have much choice. I spend half my day sleeping,” Chander retorted. “But I don’t want to neglect my duties either.”

  “We’ll find a balance that works,” Alaric assured him.

  “I’ll talk to Evergreen today,” Benton promised. “We’ll get stuff under control so you don’t feel like the Order of Necromancia is suffering, and the rest of us don’t feel like you are overdoing.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Speaking of which, we should head out so you can get some rest,” Drystan said. “We’ll come back in a couple of days to say hello.” He turned to Alaric. “Take care of him and call us if you need anything at all.”

  “Call your son and tell him to ask Larissa to send me some normal-ass pajamas,” Alaric demanded. “Chand exhausts himself laughing at me each night when I put on my unicorns or pink teddy bears.”

  Conley cackled. “Oh man, I gotta go fabric shopping with Larissa. I bet we can find something even more obnoxious for you.”

  “They can go now, right?” Alaric asked Chander.

  “We’re out of here.” Drystan corralled Conley, who was still laughing.

  “Thanks for coming, guys,” Chander said.

  Drystan stopped at the door with Conley. “I missed you. Take care of yourself. Okay?”

  “I will. I missed you too.”

  Conley blew him a kiss. “See you soon. Call us for anything.”

  Chander smiled at Alaric. “I’m glad they came.” He tried not to cry. It meant so much to him to know they were no longer angry at him.

  Alaric leaned down and kissed his cheek. “Me too. I like them.”

  “I can’t wait for you to get to know them better,” Chander said and he meant it. Alaric would enjoy their company, and it didn’t look like he was getting rid of him anytime soon. And truth be told, he didn’t want to.

  “Me either.” Alaric sat down in the chair next to Chander’s bed.

  “They better not tranq us again,” Baxter grumbled as he tugged Benton down onto the sofa.

  “That did suck,” Benton agreed.

  “I’m sorry I missed it,” Chander replied and earned a set of glares.

  “I think it’s time for your nap, Arch Lich,” Baxter responded as Alaric chuckled. Chander would have argued but he was tired. He gave Alaric’s hand a squeeze and held on to it as he drifted off.

  Chapter 31

  A week came and went as they carried on with their new normal. They were still holed up in the hospital while the doctors tried to wean Chander off—as he put it—his bowl full of medications. There were ones to thin his blood, to regulate his blood pressure, to help the heart muscle itself, to keep his pain at a feasible level, and they’d added an appetite stimulant because the Arch Lich never ate enough to please anyone. Alaric knew Chander was starting to chafe at all the fussing over him, but he was still in good spirits. A slew of visitors came and went. They brought flowers, baked goodies, and things to entertain him. Of course, the only things he read were the magical tomes Vadimas brought by to try and get to the mystery of his ailment. Thus far they’d made little progress, but no one was giving up.

  The Emperor brought him a thick pile of absentee ballots so he could vote on any measure the Order of Necromancia needed to weigh in on. The elders continued to keep their distance, and it was Evergreen who kept Chander current on what he needed to know to function as the Arch Lich. The necromancer/druid hybrid also carried back the ballots to the Emperor’s office so Alaric never had to leave Chander’s side. He preferred it that way, and Chander hadn’t complained.

  Gavrael and Gedeon were assisting the Lich Sentinel in his duties. Baxter and Benton had offered their services as well. While Chander wasn’t allowed to use magic, it took none to summon his sentinels back to his side. Alaric was confident his men weren’t being ignored. When D’Vaire’s and Chander’s sentinels offered to begin visiting their brethren at the compound to give them someone to talk to, Alaric had made the decision they should all learn about mates. They were too well-trained not to understand something was different about the men asking after them, and he wanted all of them to know his absence was due to something of immense importance. No one had questioned him about why he was different after he’d become mates with Chander, but he guessed that was because he was their leader.

  Their reports back to Alaric were positive; the sentinels at the compound were excited to learn about mates. Alaric was going to be sure to give them more information about what their lives would be like when they got Council approval, but his petition was currently on hold. The next step was to come before the Council leaders to be questioned about his race and their bylaws, but that wasn’t going to happen while Chander was recuperating. The Emperor assured him the delay could only work in his favor. It gave the other leaders more time to get used to the idea of the sentinels as a separate entity and to orchestrate their questions so Alaric wouldn’t have to make more than one visit answering them.

  Alaric’s thoughts returned to Chander as soon as the bathroom door opened. He had learned not to smother Chander and so he allowed him to walk across the room without assisting him. The last thing he wanted to do was irritate his ailing mate. Chander was well enough to make the journey on his own, though he still moved gingerly. Alaric knew it was because he was in more pain than he would admit, but nothing was going to cure the Arch Lich’s bone-deep stubbornness.

  Once Chander got into his bed, Alaric pulled the elegant pewter and black bedspread Larissa had made over him. He swept a tangle of curls off Chander’s forehead and kissed it before resuming his seat. Chander made a face.

  “It’ll be nice when taking a piss doesn’t wear me out,” Chander complained as he wiggled around to get comfortable.

  “Just be glad you can shower alone,” Alaric said. Chander had been forced to have help for several days before he’d kicked Alaric out of the room. He’d insisted on keeping his underwear on which was silly since Alaric had already seen his body when assisting him into his clothes. But he was smart enough not to point that out.

  “I still have to sit down when I do it.”

  “When they get your medication lowered, you won’t get so dizzy.”

  There was a knock on the door and Evergreen popped his head in. “Hello again.”

  “Hey, weren’t you already here today?” Chander asked. His assistant normally only arrived once a day. Once Evergreen was close to the bed, Alaric saw the stunning pewter vase he was carrying was filled with flowers of the same color with a skull in the middle of each one. Dudley was right behind him.

  “Look at these,” Evergreen gushed. “Aren’t they gorgeous?”

  “Yes, but you already brought me a beautiful plant.”

  “These aren’t from me,” Evergreen said as he put them on the packed windowsill of exquisite flora Chander had received.

  “Who are they from?” Chander asked. Evergreen handed him a gilded envelope. He tore it open before handing it to Alaric.

  Chand,

  Get better, damn it.

  Killian

  “Killian?” Alaric asked.

  “Killian the Dwyer,” Chander answered and Evergreen let out a squeal.

  “Killian the Dwyer,” Evergreen repeated before clapping his hands together. His gray-green eyes were wide in his face. He took the card from Chander and held it to his chest in reverence. “Oh my gosh, no one has heard from him in forever. My mother said he’s the most gorgeous druid to ever draw breath. I didn’t even know you knew him.”
<
br />   “We were good friends once,” Chander explained. “Then he turned his duties over to his sister and became a recluse. It’s a shame. He’s a wonderful guy.”

  “He’s a part of the ruling family of druids,” Evergreen told Alaric. “The entire family was chosen by Fate to rule, but his sister wanted to be in charge. Killian stepped down even though he was wildly popular.”

  “I assume his sister does an adequate job?” Alaric asked.

  “Adequate at best.” Evergreen pouted a little. “My mother says we’d be better off if Killian would return. The only reason the druids aren’t totally ruined is because of Dérive. Thank Fate for Ghost.”

  “Dérive. That’s the druid transport company, right?” Alaric asked.

  “Yes, and Ghost started it. He takes half the proceeds and gives it to the druids,” Evergreen answered. “The other half are given to other races or charities. It changes every year.”

  “And the whole thing pisses Aloisa the Dwyer off,” Chander added. “She has tried to get control of the company since it was started two hundred years ago. She thinks as the druidic leader, she should get to oversee it.”

  “What does the Council think?” Alaric asked.

  “The Council has no interest in it. There’s nothing wrong with starting a company and being successful,” Chander said. “Ghost isn’t doing anything illegal, and there’s no reason he should have to turn his company over to Aloisa.”

  “Besides, she’d probably run the damn thing into the ground, and then how the hell would shifters and everyone else who can’t transport get around quickly?” Evergreen exclaimed. “Not to mention the druids wouldn’t have any damn money. Aloisa isn’t as rich as our Chand here.”

  “Well, since the Emperor uses Dérive daily, he isn’t about to let it go under,” Chander responded.

  “Right.” Evergreen propped himself against Chander’s bed. “So, let’s talk more about Killian. How hot is he? And did you sleep with him?”

  “Evergreen,” Chander replied with a laughing smile. “I don’t think it’s appropriate to discuss that in front of Alaric.”

  “Oh, Alaric doesn’t care. You aren’t with Killian now,” Evergreen retorted with a wave of his hand in Alaric’s direction. “He’s been a hermit for centuries.”

  “I beg to differ. Alaric does care,” Alaric said in a dry tone.

  Chander smirked. “Killian is very handsome.” Evergreen clapped. “But I never slept with him. We were good friends. Never lovers.”

  “From what I hear,” Evergreen began as he leaned close, “Girl, you missed out.”

  Alaric was thrilled to know Chander had missed out. He knew Chander had a past, but that didn’t mean he wanted to hear about it.

  “Be that as it may, I never looked for more than a friendship. He’s a good guy.”

  “I’m going to cross my fingers he’ll resurface in Council society someday,” Evergreen told them. “I know the druids could use him to help with their leadership. And oh my goodness, the flowers he sends to the druid flower show every year…they’re always the most beautiful there.”

  “I’ve seen pictures,” Chander said. “He’s always been a brilliant druid.”

  “You don’t go and see them in person?” Alaric asked.

  “I was always too busy.”

  “We’ll have to go and see them next time,” Alaric suggested.

  “Sure, It’s a pretty amazing event. I can’t imagine anyone not being impressed by the displays and contests.”

  “Invite me and Dudley,” Evergreen begged.

  “You go every year anyway.”

  “Yes, but not with you guys,” Evergreen countered. “I go with my parents and I love them, but some of their friends are literally the most boring people on earth.”

  “We wouldn’t want Evergreen to get bored,” Alaric said to Chander.

  “Of course not, he’d never shut up about it if we did.”

  Evergreen hopped to his feet and gave another one of his claps. “Oh, goodie. Get some sleep and I’ll be back with more work for you tomorrow.”

  “You’re becoming a real slave driver,” Chander joked.

  “You work like two hundred hours a week,” Evergreen replied.

  “There are only one hundred and sixty-eight hours in a week,” Chander reminded him.

  “You’ve always done the impossible, Chand,” Evergreen said as he sauntered toward the door and blew a kiss at them. “Love you guys, see you tomorrow.” Dudley offered a nod to them both and then followed Evergreen out.

  “I enjoy him,” Alaric told him truthfully. Chander’s assistant was lively and original.

  “He’s managed to keep me sane,” Chander said. “I don’t know what I did before him.”

  “How long has he worked for you?”

  “About a century now, I think. He had no experience when I hired him, and the elders were furious. They wanted to select my assistant. I forbade it. I’d allowed that when I was young, and it was a nightmare. My every move was reported back to them.”

  “Your elders don’t sound as if they are fulfilling the duty of supporting you and administering advice.”

  Chander snorted. “That’s because they don’t think that is their job. They think being an elder means they get to tell me what to do, and I’m supposed to do exactly what they say.”

  “If that were the case, Fate would have chosen them to the lead the Order of Necromancia.”

  “Yeah, I’ve tried explaining that to them. They were rather unimpressed.”

  “At least you have Evergreen.”

  “Yeah, he’s been my diamond in the rough,” Chander agreed. “And I’m still stunned they haven’t run him off. I’ve been through too many assistants to count due to their demands and foul tempers. Evergreen has assured me nothing they do will make him leave. He says he’s not about to let them win.”

  “You’ve succeeded in surrounding yourself with some amazing people,” Alaric told him. This time it was Chander who raised their joined hands to his lips and dropped a kiss on them.

  “You included,” he said before letting out a giant yawn and closing his eyes. Alaric watched him drift off to sleep without saying a word. He was glad Chander seemed to want him around. Perhaps it was time to find out just how long he was willing to let Alaric stay and whether they could have a future ahead of them. Despite whatever limit there may be to Chander’s life, Alaric wanted to be a partner to him in every way he could. He hoped Chander could be persuaded into feeling the same way.

  Chapter 32

  Although Chander had only been awake for half of it, it was now a month after he’d been brought back to life by the warlocks and the doctors who’d saved him. His medications were as leveled off as they could be, and he was down to one daily nap—and the doctor had finally discussed allowing him to return home. In fact, he could be released as early as the following day. It was a tantalizing thought but one Chander couldn’t get completely excited about, and it all had do with Alaric.

  Alaric hadn’t left his side since he’d been first allowed into the intensive care unit and now that Chander was set to go back to his condominium, he wondered what would become of the Lich Sentinel. Would he return to the compound to catch up with all the men imprisoned there? Chander didn’t know if their lives would go back to what he’d insisted on before his heart attack. He wanted Alaric around more, but he wasn’t sure if it was fair to ask him for that.

  There were a couple of reasons that kept Chander from suggesting to Alaric they continue strengthening their bond. First and foremost being it might be merely obligation keeping Alaric close and that he would welcome the respite once his duty was done. If Alaric wanted a real relationship, it would be wonderful but it was also scary. Chander was no more capable of being a good partner than he had been previously. While he was willing to at least give it a shot, he couldn’t be sure it was fair. His days, as of now without a cure, were numbered.

  “You look like you have a great deal on y
our mind,” Alaric said from his bedside. It was late in the evening. Baxter and Benton had retreated to the attached bedroom once Alaric had turned the channel from one of Benton’s horrible shows.

  “I might get to go home tomorrow.”

  “Finally, right?”

  “I won’t miss this place,” Chander responded. “The people have been great, but I miss being around my own things and not being fussed over all the time.”

  “You’re probably going to have to get used to being fussed over for a while even at home.”

  “You think Bax and Ben are going to be in my face twenty-four-seven?”

  “They aren’t going to be the only ones.”

  Chander decided to take the bull by the horns. “Do you plan on being part of the gang up on Chand club?”

  The corner of Alaric’s mouth lifted. “I’ll be the one issuing the membership cards.”

  “I thought you would be anxious to return to the compound.”

  “You really want to talk about this?” Alaric asked as he rubbed Chander’s hand.

  “Yes, I do,” Chander said. “I want to talk about us. I want to talk about what happens when I no longer need nursemaids.”

  “Good, I do too.”

  “So, let’s talk.”

  “You seem to be waiting for me to say something here,” Alaric replied. “But I think this is about you and what you want.”

  “No, a relationship is two people. Your needs have the same value as my own.”

  “I understand but you aren’t supposed to have any stress. If you feel it would be too stressful to undertake a relationship right now, then I need to respect that and we can revisit the issue when you are stronger.”

  “We both know there’s no guarantee I’m going to get better. This might be it. If you look at it that way, you are the one who is risking more. You’re the one who would be left alone and have to pick up the pieces. You might prefer to wait until Fate pairs you up with someone after I’m gone.”

  Alaric raised an eyebrow. “I think you will get better, but for argument’s sake let’s say you die. It’s my understanding Fate doesn’t separate mates after they are bound by blood. Should you leave, I will have to be patient until Fate sends you back to me.”