Chapter 18

"When do we get to meet your mate?" Noirin asked in the quiet of the dining room as the entire D'Vaire family ate their evening meal.

Dravyn swallowed heavily and lifted his head to meet his sister's gaze.

"Meet my mate?" he echoed stupidly.

"Yes," Noirin insisted. "You have gone to the forest every evening for the past three nights. Surely you are growing closer and wish him to know your family."

"Leave him be," Aleksander said. "It may be best to keep him far from here."

Unsure whether to be offended or not, Dravyn was still gathering his thoughts as his sister pinned a harsh stare on Aleksander.

"What do you mean, cousin?" Noirin asked. "This is the other half of Dravyn's soul. We are his family. Why would we not wish to support him and know his mate?"

"We honor Fate, Aleksander," Brogan added. "Are you bothered that Dravyn's other half is a man?"

Everyone stopped eating and glanced at their King.

Aleksander scowled. "Do not be ridiculous. I already told Dravyn to tell his magickind we honor Fate. Why would I have an issue with two men together?"

"I only suggest it because your father took issue with it," Brogan replied.

"I fancy men, Brogan," Aleksander retorted, his dark gaze irritated.

Brogan blinked heavily as Dravyn processed his own reaction to his cousin's news. Dravyn had not known Aleksander preferred men, but it made no difference to him. In his mind, people were free to love whomever they wished, regardless of what King Ethelin had preached in their youth.

"You do?" Brogan asked. "Well, that is news to me."

"It is of no consequence; I prefer men too," Zane offered.

"I am attracted to both men and women," Marcus replied with a shrug.

"I am fond of women myself," Madeline added with a smirk.

Larissa chuckled. "I should hope so. What of you, Noirin?"

"Men catch my eye," Noirin said. "But I recognize a beautiful face, whether it be male or female. Of course, no one compares to the lovely men and women sitting at this table."

"Aleksander, I would take you to task for keeping a secret from your best of friends, but we spent too many years separated for you to have had the chance to make such a confession," Brogan remarked, returning to his meal. "If you take no issue with Dravyn being attracted to a man, why do you not welcome his mate to our home?"

Dravyn sighed and stared at the cooling food in front of him. Although he'd been enjoying the fruits of Noirin's labor in the kitchen, he suddenly lacked an appetite. "Are you upset he is magickind and not a dragon?"

"What use do I have for dragons other than the ones reviled by our kind?" Aleksander asked, his voice dripping with resentment and vitriol. "I do not lump myself in with other dragons, and neither should any of you. We are D'Vaires first. Set aside by our kind. Deemed cursed by those who fancy themselves the rulers of our people. Fate has forsaken the dragons, and it is well-deserved. Imagine hating someone for no other reason than having a festering black heart. Can you fathom what it must be like to wake up in the morn and decide innocent people need to die to satisfy the evil in yourself? No, I do not hate magickind. I cannot even bring myself to hate dragons despite their ill treatment of my family. But I will not toil at their sides or welcome them into our home. I am glad Fate picked something besides a dragon for you, Dravyn. I hope he is a peaceful man."

"We are still learning about each other, but I believe him to be," Dravyn replied, hoping he was correct. If he did not grow so conscious of himself and his every word in Killian's presence, he would have gained more knowledge of the man. But Dravyn gave in to his fear each night and ran to shift into his dragon so he could escape. It was foolish, but Dravyn had lived too long catering to tyrants and lacked trust in himself.

"If you do not dislike magickind and you are not against two men sharing a matebond, then why would you prefer Dravyn's other half to stay away?" Marcus asked.

Aleksander swallowed so heavily, Dravyn heard the sound from several chairs away. Their King bowed his head, and his long locks slid forward to block much of his face. His shoulders sagged. "Killian the Dwyer you called him, yes?"

"Yes," Dravyn replied.

"The ruler of his people."

"Yes."

"Once before in my life, I met the leaders of a race. Things did not end up well for them."

"Aleksander, you cannot take the blame for the murders of our Emperors," Brogan stated furiously. "It was not your fault. Do not buy into the delusion that you are cursed by Fate. No, the truth is far from that. You have gifts. A gold circle in your eyes. There is no other living dragon we know of that has such. The truth is, you were hidden away because you may have a very real claim to the throne."

"No," Aleksander replied. "I do not. Fate marked me as a King distinctively. I felt the burn in my eyes as the silver and gold were added. Do you recall that moment? Our last name was etched onto my arm for a precious few moments. I did not experience that after the death of our Emperors. While I cannot explain the glimmer of gilt around my irises, it has nothing to do with the empty throne of dragons."

"Be that as it may, my father could not be sure everyone would treat him like a leader if a man with gold in his eyes was known," Zane said. "Brogan is right. You were hidden for a reason."

Dravyn's mood soared at the knowledge that Aleksander held nothing against Killian, but it was tempered by his sadness for his cousin. The man had deserved far better than the horrible treatment he'd endured for a century and a half at the hands of the Imperial Duke and his ilk.

"It would be an honor for me to introduce you to Killian," Dravyn told Aleksander, meeting his dark eyes. "I do not know when I will ask him yet, but someday I want him to know all of you."

Aleksander's gaze remained wary, but he nodded. "I will respect your wishes, and the honor would be mine."

"Good, then it is settled," Noirin stated, reaching out and patting Dravyn's arm. "As soon as you are ready, invite him, and I will cook a feast for us to enjoy."

"Thank you," Dravyn answered, eager to find the courage soon to do as his sister requested.

◆◆◆

Instead of embracing his bravery for inviting Killian to his King's tiny court, Dravyn was nervously donning a cloak for an evening with his other half.

"Dravyn," Noirin called out before Dravyn made it out of the door.

"Yes?"

Noirin stuffed a cloth-covered platter into his hands. "I know the gathering you are attending has thousands, but I couldn't allow you to go without bringing a gift to your mate and the other leaders you will be with tonight."

"That was kind of you," Dravyn replied. His sister had extraordinary talent in the kitchen, and Dravyn was pleased to be able to offer something to the leaders who were gracious enough to allow him to join their monthly dance.

With a grin, Noirin shooed him away with her hands. "Go on now, have a wonderful time. Remember everything so you can tell us every detail in the morning while we break our fast."

Dravyn shuffled out of the house and grabbed a large sack from a small shed they used to hold their belongings while they were shifted. As carefully as he could, Dravyn removed his cloak and wrapped it protectively around the platter his sister had given him. Then he removed the rest of his clothing and quickly shifted into his beast.

It was a painless process that required his form to grow substantially. The moment Dravyn's arms stretched into wings, he flapped them, and his thick legs thundered across the dirt. The cool air dragged against his scales as he lifted into the sky. With the bag of his clothes and food secured in his teeth, man and beast flew in perfect harmony—both eager to be reunited with the enigmatic and handsome druid.

Once the copse of thick trees that had become his meeting spot with Killian was visible, Dravyn landed softly at the edge, then yanked his clothes on. Dravyn pulled out Noirin's platter and, with a few strategic folds, tucked the sack into the generous pocket of his cloak. In the distance was the faintest gold light, and Dravyn hurried toward it. Killian came into view. So did the sentinel next to him. It was Baxter. Dravyn had met him and his other half this week as Killian could no longer travel alone.

That was a relief to Dravyn. He wanted nothing to happen to Killian and was pleased his Council wished to keep him safe.

"Good evening, Dravyn," Killian called out as soon as Dravyn was a few feet away.

"Good evening to you both."

"Wonderful to see you hale and whole, Dravyn," Baxter offered. Like Dravyn, he wore a cloak, but it was pulled so far forward he could make out none of the sentinel's features.

Killian peered at the platter in Dravyn's hands. "What do you have there?"

"My sister insisted on sending me to your dance with some treats."

"How generous of you both," Killian replied, stepping close enough that a rich sensuous scent of toiled earth filled Dravyn's nose and made him weak in the knees. As Dravyn slowly grew more comfortable in Killian's presence, he couldn't ignore how the man enthralled and enticed him. Dravyn swayed in the near-dark as Killian lifted the cloth and grinned. Killian raised that intriguing gaze sparkling with golden flecks to his, and Dravyn felt his smile down to his soul. Dravyn's cheeks went pink as his manhood thickened in his trousers.

"These pastries look delicious," Killian said.

Dravyn swallowed and praised Fate he hadn't drooled over Killian as he would have never recovered from the embarrassment.

"Have one," Dravyn murmured.

"I would argue that we should wait until we arrive at the dance, but I am far too concerned I will lose my chance to taste one if I deny myself," Killian replied and handed one to Baxter before taking a second one for himself.

"Especially if Kaedan sniffs them out," Baxter remarked.

Killian bit into his treat and closed his eyes. The little sound reaching Dravyn's ears mimicked a moan. In Dravyn's head, his dragon roared with triumph at the pleasure their mate was experiencing. The thought crossed his mind that it was unfortunate that it was a pastry eliciting such a response from the druid instead of a passionate moment between Dravyn and Killian.

Despite the many nights they'd met, Dravyn had learned little of consequence, but it didn't stop his infatuation and desire for the druid from growing.

"Her Grace is very talented," Killian said between bites. Dravyn couldn't recall when he'd mentioned his sister's illegal title, but it warmed him that Killian had remembered the detail.

"Agreed," Baxter added. "Please give Her Grace my thanks. Few things I have tasted in my life rival this."

Dravyn eagerly stowed away their compliments in his memory so he could tell his sister in the morning. Although Dravyn's life experience was limited, he believed the men were being truthful. Everything Dravyn had tasted in the years since they had escaped Court Draconis was divine.

"Normally, I don't encourage Kaedan to try sweets since he is so adept at finding them himself, but we must save at least one pastry for him," Killian remarked. "As an expert on such things, Kaedan will gain even more pleasure from the taste than I did."

"May I pocket one for my mate?" Baxter asked.

"Of course," Dravyn replied.

"Take one for Chand too," Killian ordered as he crafted a magical cloth out of thin air and handed it to Baxter. "He will either get distracted and forget to take one or will leave them on the platter for others to enjoy."

"As usual, you are correct," Baxter answered, using the cloth to cover the two treats he was preparing to presumably stow in his cloak.

"I was already planning on sending you home with some fresh things from my garden, but you will have to tell me some of your sister's favorites so I can grow her some special items too," Killian told Dravyn.

"She loves most things," Dravyn replied. The D'Vaires were a family, but Dravyn spent most of his time alone. Either he was in his garden or in bed reading a tome. He was ashamed to admit he didn't know his sister's favorites. Embarrassed by his inability to create tight bonds with the people in his court, Dravyn bowed his head and promised himself he would do better in the future.

"Are you well?" Killian asked.

"Yes," Dravyn lied.

Baxter huffed out a breath, and Killian's mouth tightened briefly.

"Should we head to the dance?" Killian asked.

"I am ready," Dravyn replied.

"There will be many people there, and I do not wish you to grow overwhelmed," Killian said. "Stick close to my side."

Happy to do as Killian requested, Dravyn nodded. "I will."

"Good, now close your eyes so you do not grow dizzy when we teleport."

Dravyn let his lashes fall, and his dragon growled with complaint at the way the earth disappeared beneath his feet. Thankfully, it was a temporary sensation. Rhythmic drumming reached his ears; they had arrived at the dance.

"I'm going to find Ben," Baxter said, stomping off without a farewell.

"Did I upset him?" Dravyn asked.

Killian's brow creased, and Dravyn ignored his uneasiness at the sizeable crowd on the edges of his vision.

"I do not wish to insult you or add to your discomfort as we grow to know each other, but I also feel the truth is important. Bax is irritated. Not at you specifically, but that you…well, you told an untruth. Sentinels can detect lies."

Dumbstruck, Dravyn stood there and tried to process the thought of always knowing if a person was telling the truth. Was it a gift or a curse?

"Oh," Dravyn responded, desperately searching his mind for what he had said and why he'd chosen to stray from the truth. "Oh, I see. He knew I was not fully well."

"Yes, and frankly, so did I. In the past few weeks, I have paid attention, and your voice lifts slightly whenever you are shying away from something on your mind. I have not been offended; we are still learning of each other, and you are free to keep your secrets."

Frustrated with himself and his inability to communicate effectively, Dravyn decided he would do better. Killian deserved to know him. They were mates. He had to be brave. Dragons were courageous, and Dravyn had been made a Duke. Royalty did not bow their heads and lie about their feelings. He didn't need to fear he'd be a tyrant, but he decided he must not be a coward either.

"I was embarrassed," Dravyn confessed. "I do not know my sister's favorites. She has not offered, and I dare not press my family with questions. My plan was to bring her whatever you wanted to give me and ask her in the morning what I could find for her in the future."

Killian lifted Dravyn's chin with a finger and smiled at him. "Thank you for trusting me with that. We will send you home with as much as we can fit in a sack. Next time you attend a dance, I will grow every favorite you learn about in the morning."

"Thank you."

Before Killian could reply, a man in a flowing cloak rushed up to them. Half of his face was painted in navy and gilt, and his golden eyes had irises shaped like dragons. On top of his blond ringlets was a thin coronet, gleaming with blue stones. Close behind him was a man with a remarkable resemblance to him, but his crown was barely visible, and his curls were shorter. The markings on his skin were also less ornate.

"Kaedan!" the second man yelled.

The Grand Warlock skidded to a halt in front of Killian and Dravyn. Lowering his head to the platter in Dravyn's hands, he sniffed loudly. With a quick tug, he took the entire plate and whipped off the cloth Noirin had tucked around it. A wicked grin flashed, then Kaedan snagged the first pastry and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Disgusting," the shorter second man remarked with a grimace.

"Duke Dravyn, allow me to present Grand Warlock Kaedan of Leolinnia and his familiar, Grand Warlock Familiar Renny of Leolinnia," Killian said. Dravyn shook hands with Renny, but Kaedan was far too busy devouring Noirin's treats to do more than grunt at them. The last time Dravyn had stood in Kaedan's presence, the warlock had been a teenager and not yet the ruler of his people.

"I apologize on behalf of the leader of The Council," Renny stated with another disapproving glare at Kaedan. "The man is a pig."

"Have fun at the dance," Kaedan said, his mouth still full. He turned on his heel, cradling the platter against his cloak, and walked away.

"If he were not so fine a leader, we would have him dethroned due to his disgraceful table manners," Killian teased.

"I echo his sentiment though," Renny commented to Dravyn with a smile. "I hope you enjoy the dance and that we will see you again next month. If you will both excuse me, I need to find Saura so she can remind Kaedan he was raised better than stealing pastries and choosing to forget he must behave with some decorum."

Renny bowed and ran off after Kaedan.

"Do not worry, we will find your platter later," Killian said. "Now, take my hand so you do not get lost. I will introduce you around, then I have my duties to attend to. I will ensure you have a seat nearby."

Gingerly, Dravyn lifted his arm, and an overwhelming sense of peace settled in him as Killian's fingers slid over his skin. The druid laced their fingers. His dragon roared with delight. Despite how impossible it seemed for a dragon Duke who'd spent his entire life as a servant to find himself paired with Killian the Dwyer, it was beginning to feel as if Fate had not made a mistake.

Plenty of obstacles lay ahead, but Dravyn wanted to be brave enough to discover if he could be a mate to Killian. First, he had to find the courage to survive a night in Killian's world—one of magick and many, many people.