Chapter 9

E llery smiled faintly as he watched a gorgeous man with windblown black hair in a pair of dark shorts and a white T-shirt stride toward him. The dragon shifter grinned, and the faint rays of sunlight highlighted the gold scrollwork on his left cheek. Along with that beautiful artwork, the two small hoops of pure gilt in his earlobe proclaimed him to be mated to an elf.

Only elves and their other halves were marked with a single painted cheek and two earrings—and the second one was given to those who'd been chaste until after their blood mixed. Of course, it was not news to Ellery that the man was mated. Ellery had stood across from him as Fate put those delicately painted swirls on his skin and had ignored the burn as the same design was emblazoned on his own jawline.

A sigh of pleasure escaped him as the dragon shifter wrapped Ellery in his arms.

"You had fun," Ellery told his other half.

"I did. You should try it."

Much more interested in Chrysander's mouth than any ride at the amusement park, Ellery kissed him. He refused to deny himself the pleasure of dipping his tongue between Chrysander's lips to deepen the kiss. Ellery pushed a hand into Chrysander's messy hair and molded himself to the tall man whose body he'd long ago memorized inch by delicious inch. Ignoring the world around them, Ellery welcomed the passion igniting in his belly and grew eager to have Chrysander alone.

Long before Ellery was ready, Chrysander pulled away slightly, and molten need burned in his black scaly eyes. Fate had put another golden mark on him—a ring around his irises. It was proof of his rank as Emperor. Once Ellery had had a perfect circle in his eyes, but too many months trapped in his dragon thanks to a nefarious potion had allowed his gold to crack and bleed. According to Chrysander, it made Ellery's gaze impossibly beautiful. Ellery was grateful that the man he loved saw him that way, but he had no use for vanity, so he didn't often think about how different he looked compared to others.

"Keep it in your pants, Your Majesty," Chrysander whispered. "I'm not stripping in this park for you."

Chuckling at the way Chrysander so easily read his mind and his intentions, Ellery kissed him softly, and his dragon growled with delight at their other half being close. "Everyone is having an enjoyable time. I am sure we would not be missed."

"Except my twin hasn't let me out of his sight all day."

"Damian is overprotective," Ellery replied, though he was grateful for the Imperial Duke's diligence. Ellery's greatest treasure was Chrysander, and he would take on whatever potion or pain came his way as long as his other half remained healthy and whole.

Despite what Ellery had suffered in the past, he didn't worry about his own safety. Ducblanc Zane Draconis was charged with his protection, and Ellery never questioned his integrity or dedication. The only thing Zane took more seriously than his job was adoring his mate, Tiri. Ellery found no fault with Zane's priorities and wasn't surprised at the fierce love between the pair. He'd had the pleasure of watching them navigate the first days and weeks of their matebond—they were truly one of Fate's finest matches.

But nothing in Ellery's mind compared to his relationship with Chrysander despite the wariness currently creeping into his dark gaze.

"We'll be home in several hours, after the park closes," Chrysander said. "When we're alone, we can do whatever we'd like."

"I cannot wait until I have you alone."

"Can't or won't?"

Ellery laughed. "I meant that as if I am looking forward to it, not as if I was going to strip you here in public."

To Ellery's amusement, Chrysander's expression was skeptical. They'd shared many wonderful years together, and Ellery didn't mind that he could keep his pragmatic mate on his toes.

"Then maybe we could put some space between us so my dick doesn't get any more ideas?" Chrysander whispered against one of Ellery's sensitive pointy ears.

"If you insist," Ellery replied. He kissed Chrysander again and slowly eased away from him.

There was relief on Chrysander's face as he smiled and took Ellery's hand. "Should we round everyone up and get some food?"

"I believe we passed a restaurant on our way to your roller coaster with burgers and elven cuisine," Ellery replied.

"Perfect."

It took no more than a single look at his twin to have Damian herding the Draconises toward Ellery and Chrysander.

"Where are we going?" Praxis asked. "I'm starving."

"We are too," Ellery replied.

Everyone was intrigued by the restaurant, and soon they found themselves at the entrance of the establishment Ellery had recalled. Inside, it was packed with D'Vaires and many others who had been invited to share the day with them at the park. Ellery loved the enthusiasm and bright smiles of everyone inside. The host rushed to find them a table despite Chrysander assuring the man that they'd wait as long as necessary. Ellery scooted into a wide booth and had no argument with being pressed close to Chrysander.

A quick glance at the menu was enough for Ellery to pick which of the four elven options he wanted to taste, so he set his menu down and surveyed the room.

"Praxis," Ellery said, turning to the drakeling he'd known since Praxis had first arrived in North America as a teenager. To the delight of their entire family, Praxis had grown into a mature, responsible, and—most importantly—kind young man.

"Yeah?"

"I am so pleased you came up with this plan to share a day at this wonderful park with everyone. As I look around, all I see are smiles and memories being made. Since we met the D'Vaires, they have dedicated themselves to creating unique events. Thanks to you, we were able to give back a bit and give them something to enjoy. I am grateful to you and applaud your thoughtfulness."

Costas reached out and squeezed Praxis's neck affectionately. "Elf's right. Today has been fantastic. Thanks for doing this."

Praxis's handsome face flooded with color. "I thought it would be fun. Everyone has been thanking me today, and it's too much. As long as everyone is having a good time, I'm cool. I'm great. I don't need applause or anything."

"Of course not," Chrysander replied. "You inherited every bit of Niko's thoughtfulness, kindness, and desire to help others. We're very proud of you and can't wait to see what your future holds."

Sinking into the booth, Praxis cringed. "Not really helping the whole embarrassment thing right now, Chrys."

Chrysander chuckled. "Would you rather we neglect telling you how much we appreciate what you put together today?"

"Honestly, yes."

Before anyone could respond to Praxis, the Grand Warlock showed up next to their table. There was a healthy amount of mischief in his navy gaze and a small cake in his hand.

"Praxis, an entire day with a cake bar is now my favorite dream come true," Dra'Kaedan said. "Plus, I got to watch Brogan puke into a trash can. Today is right up there after being at matebond ceremonies and shit like that. Thanks for being awesomesauce and thinking of everyone."

"As Grand Warlock, can you tell everyone to stop thanking me and enjoy themselves instead?" Praxis pleaded, his light brown eyes troubled.

Dra'Kaedan cocked his head. "Thought it over. Nope. You're going to have to deal with our gratitude. I'm off to get some more cake if Brogan's finally done with his damn burger."

"I hope you ate something besides cake today," Marcus said.

"Why would I do that?" Dra'Kaedan asked. "What is wrong with dragons?"

A second later, Dra'Kaedan stalked off.

"Well, you can probably count on Brogan not thanking you," Damian teased. "Between Dra'Kaedan on an all-day cake fest and sugar high and Brogan's now-notorious meeting with the garbage can, today isn't going on his highlight reel."

"Please, Brogan likes it when Dra'Kaedan really shows his crazy," Zane commented.

"The truth is, we all do," Chrysander said.

"Praxis, take pride in creating this experience for us," Ellery told the drakeling slouched low in the booth. "I hope you will allow any further ideas you have to flourish in the same way."

"Next time I come up with an idea like this, I'll find a way to keep everyone from thanking me," Praxis muttered. "Maybe I'll tell everyone Dad put it together."

Niko frowned. "You will force me to counter that story and tell everyone the truth."

"Plus, he'd hate being thanked as much as you do," Costas mused. "Humbleness is another characteristic you both share."

"A trait absent in far too many," Chrysander observed. "Be brave, you can handle the enthusiasm of everyone you gave this terrific day to."

"Yeah, I might stop blushing by my first shift."

Ellery shook his head at Praxis. Since dragons didn't shift until they were a century old, the drakeling still had many decades before he would embrace his beast.

"You have pleased us. Just know that. I will not embarrass you further by explaining in detail what has made today so special," Ellery said.

"Thanks, Elf. Can we have some dinner and maybe figure out what we want to ride before the park closes?"

Sliding his arm under the table to rest his palm on the back of Chrysander's hand where it rested on his thigh, Ellery mused that the only thing he wanted to ride was a sexy dragon. Since mentioning that aloud would make Chrysander's face even redder than Praxis's, Ellery said nothing and allowed the others at the table to comment.

Chrysander's gaze slid to Ellery's, and those black eyes narrowed. Ellery grinned at him. Although they lacked the ability to speak telepathically like a pair of mated sentinels, their years together had proven Chrysander's adeptness at reading his mind.

"Later, Ell," Chrysander murmured against his ear. He kissed the lobe lightly, and love surged through Ellery.

"I shall hold you to that promise, Your Majesty."

Ellery was delighted with the day Praxis had organized and the promise on Chrysander's handsome face. Happiness bubbled through him, and his dragon roared with approval.

It was a perfect day.