Chapter 17

Acool breeze brushed the hair from Killian's temples, and he was unsurprised when a fat raindrop hit his nose. The clouds had been dark for hours. Rain was a delight to Killian. For those with weaker magick or none, it meant nourishment for the land and their crops. Fewer people would starve with each soft plop onto the earth. Killian lifted the hood of his cloak to cover his head and tried to stay focused on how much he enjoyed a shower from the sky.

But it was difficult. Lowering his chin, he sucked in a deep breath and allowed his disappointment to mount. Dravyn had not arrived. Their meetings over the past few weeks had been a tentative step forward in discovering if their matebond could work someday. Or so Killian had thought. But the shy Duke with those magnificently dark, nearly innocent eyes clearly did not agree.

A flap Killian recognized as a dragon's wings disrupted the silence of the woods, and Killian bared his teeth. If some beast thought he could end the life of Killian the Dwyer, he was about to learn that even plant-growing sorcerers had a few ways of escaping death. But instead of belching fire, the dragon disappeared behind a low hill. Although Killian was curious, he could not stay. It would be reckless, and he knew he should return to the relative safety of his castle.

Killian readied his teleportation spell, but someone called his name. His heart fluttered with joy and relief.

"Killian," Dravyn called out a second time.

"I am here," Killian replied. With a wave of his fingers, he created a ball of golden light, and he nearly swallowed his tongue as Dravyn rushed toward him.

The Duke paused with a huff as he struggled with the garment he was trying to don. But all Killian focused on was the plethora of sculpted muscles on display. Dravyn was broad-shouldered, and his body was a far cry from Killian's own lanky form. Killian doubted he'd ever seen a man so exquisitely—and massively—built. His mate had a fine form Killian longed to touch and taste. Long before Killian was ready, the tunic fluttered down and covered the gorgeous body Dravyn typically hid beneath his clothing.

Killian's gaze drifted up to Dravyn's handsome face, and he grinned. Instead of humbly keeping his chin dropped to his chest, Dravyn faced him unblinkingly. He stopped just a foot away from Killian, his cheeks going pink.

"I am so sorry I'm late," Dravyn said, his gentle voice contrite. Killian allowed the gold ball lighting up the night to grow, and he moved it above Dravyn's head. It not only gave him a better look at the handsome dragon, but protected Dravyn from the rain. "My family wanted to talk with me. They did not miss my leaving the house to meet you and wondered the reason."

"What story did you give them to please their curiosity?" Killian asked without judgment. Everything about their relationship was so unsettled and somehow new despite the many years that had passed. So, Killian refused to judge Dravyn for his desire to conceal things from his family. Perhaps when they had built something worthwhile between them, Dravyn would be eager to share the news.

"I told them the truth," Dravyn replied. "Lying does not come easily to me, and I did not want them to worry."

Surprised and pleased, Killian felt his smile reappear. "You told them you are meeting me?"

"Yes," Dravyn said, his face flushing with more color. "They were delighted for me. But still worried about my safety, I think. Our world is treacherous."

"It is. They had no objection to my magick?"

Dravyn bowed his head, and his tangled hair slid forward to conceal his eyes. "My King believes a lover of plants would be a good fit for me."

"I agree."

"They were happy you healed me. You have my gratitude."

"Stop thanking me, Dravyn. It was my pleasure and privilege to offer you a bit of my magick. Even if you were not my mate, I would have helped you."

The dragon's broad shoulders hunched, and he shuffled his feet. "If Fate had not paired us, we would have had no reason to meet again. Our paths would not have crossed."

"I suppose that is true. Fortunate for us both, perhaps, that Fate did pair us," Killian dared to say.

Despite Dravyn's agreement to keep meeting, Killian was unsure how invested the dragon was in their matebond. Anger and sadness had festered in Killian for over a century and a half as he'd been ignored by Dravyn. But those feelings had disappeared. Dravyn was not responsible for the distance between them, and Killian's heart broke at what the Duke had suffered.

He wanted to learn everything he could about Dravyn and hopefully build a life together if they both agreed. Not only was it what Fate wanted, but Killian desired a partner. One with common interests, a smattering of freckles, a deep green gaze, and deliciously rippled muscles.

Dravyn lifted his head and offered Killian a small grin. "I am growing to believe we are quite fortunate. Can we meet again soon?"

"Next week?"

Dravyn's feet rustled the leaves beneath him as he shifted his weight. "I thought that since I no longer must hide who I am meeting from my family, we could increase our meetings." He frowned, and his gaze dropped. "That is, if you agree and your schedule would allow it."

Killian liked the boldness Dravyn had displayed since his arrival. It was Dravyn who was inquiring about additional nights together, and in his haste to apologize, the Duke had forgotten to be shy. He'd squared his lovely shoulders and stared Killian bravely in the eye. Was that the man underneath the fear of asserting himself? Killian didn't know, but he decided what he liked best was the mixture of the shy man and confident Duke.

"It would be my honor to have more time with you," Killian assured Dravyn. "Can we meet nightly?"

Without hesitation, Dravyn nodded. "I would like that. We have learned so little of each other with these weekly meetings."

"I will bring you seeds tomorrow."

"It is unnecessary; you have already given me a bag full."

"Nevertheless, I will have another bag with me tomorrow."

"I hope I am not as stubborn as you," Dravyn muttered.

Killian laughed. "While I long to find out for myself how much willfulness is in your soul."

"I fear there is much hidden in me."

"Good," Killian said. "Embrace everything that pleases you, and bravely be yourself."

"I should like to someday. Goodnight, Killian."

"Goodnight."

Dravyn turned to go but turned back around before Killian teleported away. "Killian?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for protecting me from the rain, but I don't mind enduring what I must."

Without giving Killian a chance to answer unless he wished to shout, Dravyn took off running. Barely a minute later, a large green dragon rose above the trees, and Killian smiled. Through the years, he'd witnessed many dragons flying. It was hard to find them beautiful as they reigned terror on his people, but Dravyn would never be one of those beasts. Killian was free to admire the wide wings, thick body, and long tail.

No other details were revealed to him thanks to Dravyn's speed and the minimal light Killian had created with his magick. Someday, Killian wanted to witness Dravyn in his full glory—both as a dragon and in his delightfully muscled human form.

◆◆◆

Killian swallowed a delicious bite of bread and steadfastly ignored the Reverent Knight staring at him. At his side, Aloisa was deep in conversation with Clara and Saura about their business venture. Their service that allowed people to teleport wherever they wished was wildly successful, and Killian was proud of them. Now, the trio was planning to create specific spots for people to meet their druid or warlock to be teleported.

The genius women wanted to build circles outside with arches above them to save people from the elements. Aloisa would use her magick to encourage flowering trees to grow in the shape they wanted, then they'd add a small garden designed by Clara. It was up to Saura to decide where to put their circles. Their voices were raised in their excitement, and Killian grinned. With despair so often around the corner, it was lovely to have spots of genuine joy and enthusiasm.

But instead of pleasing himself by continuing to listen to the lively entrepreneurs, Killian had to face the fallen knight who was watching him so intently. Killian turned to face Drystan and was unsurprised to find his blue eyes irritated.

"What do you want, Drystan?" Killian asked.

Drystan sucked in a deep breath as if he'd been waiting for this opportunity to speak his mind. "I said nothing when you were wandering off to a forest outside a human town once a week. You can thank Con for that because I believed you were being foolish. Now, you have wandered off to meet your mate twice in the last two nights. How reckless are you willing to be? Have you forgotten that you are the leader of the druids? Do you wish to leave the responsibility of your title in Aloisa and Clara's hands? They have their own duties. You can hardly expect them to take on your role as ruler because you refuse to heed any warnings of danger."

Every table in Castle Leolinnia quieted. Even the notoriously ravenous Kaedan stopped eating, and his sharp navy gaze whipped to Killian. "You are meeting him nightly now?"

"Dravyn told his family about me," Killian replied.

Saura grinned and clapped. "How wondrous. Things are going well then?"

Aloisa laid a hand on his arm, and her smile was as bright as Saura's. "What a relief to know things are moving forward. I long for you to know the happiness I share with Clara."

"I'm happy for you too, but Drystan is right," Chander said. "If you keep meeting Dravyn in those woods, someone is eventually going to notice. Despite a dark sky, those golden flecks in your eyes glow. No one would miss that you are magickind. I know you can protect yourself with your vines, but that is only if you know the threat is coming."

"Do you carry one of Masse's stones?" Lieutenant Othindisa Eldrvalkyria asked. Othindisa was one of the phoenixes tasked with keeping her Jarl and his consort safe, and she answered to their captain, who doubled as Kolsten's mother.

"I can make more if you need one," Masse added, resting his head against Kolsten's arm. His earthy brown gaze was bright with joy and love as Kolsten pressed a kiss to the top of his curls.

"I go nowhere without one of your nullification stones," Killian answered, pulling the stone with its ornate copper cover out of the pouch he carried on his belt. "With one blast of magick, I know it can protect me. At least for a bit."

"Bax and I can take turns traveling to the forest with you," Benton offered. "Your mate would not even need to know we are there. We can remain invisible. You want to keep your spot in the woods since it is convenient for your mate, but we must see to your safety."

"That is an excellent idea," Baxter agreed. "Will you allow one of us to accompany you each night?"

"Killian, it is for the best," Chander stated.

"Or you can take a fallen knight," Drystan added. "But your days of traveling alone must end. I insist."

"No one wants to intrude on your matebond, but we cannot ignore the threats we face," Kaedan said.

While everyone in the room was family to Killian, Kaedan was also their leader. His words could not be ignored.

"I believe the fairest way to handle it is to have both sentinels and fallen knights accompany me," Killian finally relented, though he was not pleased. "The last thing I wish is to force anyone to give up every evening so I can spend time with Dravyn. But you must stay far enough away that I can enjoy Dravyn's company without worrying that someone is listening to our words."

"I believe that is fair," Kaedan replied.

"Tonight, I can go," Baxter volunteered.

"I will introduce you to him," Killian said. "I want no more secrets between us, and he deserves to know that there is someone nearby observing him."

Baxter grinned. "I am eager to meet him."

"Has he grown comfortable with magick?" Saura asked.

Killian nodded. "There is little fear of me in his eyes. But I still barely know the man. We do not converse long before he insists on returning home. I fear he has spent so much of his life in servitude that he has little faith in his abilities to communicate."

"Our next dance is soon," Egidius remarked. "Perhaps you should invite him. Allow him to see Killian the Dwyer pushing his magick as far as he can. In the meantime, we must spread word that your mate is a dragon and remind those that already know. We want no one to think Dravyn is a threat."

Visions of Dravyn enjoying himself with dance, drink, and joy fluttered through Killian's mind, and he smiled. Thanks to the layers of magick The Council laid above their heads on the night of the dance each month, everyone enjoyed a night without terror. They all set aside their fears and reveled without inhibitions. It had grown into one of Killian's most beloved activities.

"An excellent idea. I will propose it to him. If he is not brave enough to attend this one, I will keep trying in the future until he gets to witness magickind reveling and working together for our futures."

"Good, I will focus on spreading the word about Dravyn to everyone. In the meantime, shall we finish our meals?" Kaedan asked.

"You are only interested in the sweets we will have at the end," Renny told his warlock.

"That is news to no one, my dear familiar," Kaedan retorted with a grin.

With a shake of his head at their silliness, Killian returned to the cooling food on the trencher nearest to him and helped himself to more deliciously spiced meat.