Chapter 21

Killian's lips tingled. It was a pleasant feeling, and he grinned at the blushing Duke in front of him.

"Your mouth is addictive," Killian said.

To his delight, Dravyn's cheeks went pinker, and he shuffled his feet. Thankfully, Dravyn kept his deep green gaze locked on Killian's. Thanks to the great studying Killian had done of Dravyn in their slowly growing acquaintance, he'd learned that the moment the shifter grew uncomfortable his eyes hit the ground. Killian detested it whenever Dravyn's shoulders stooped or he bowed his head.

From what Killian had learned of Dravyn's life thus far, the man had done nothing to deserve such innate reticence about asserting himself or feeling comfortable in his own skin. Killian's hands curled into fists as he thought about the many years Dravyn had served as a servant due to greedy, unworthy dragons.

"Not that I want to interrupt, but are you sure this is a good idea?" Baxter asked.

Since Killian had forgotten that the sentinel was there for his protection against invisible marauders, he jumped at the sound of Baxter's voice.

"I am going to meet Dravyn's family," Killian said. "Dravyn and the other D'Vaire dragons will ensure no harm comes to me. I will teleport directly to Castle Leolinnia to present my unharmed self to the Grand Warlock and the Reverent Knights afterward."

Baxter sighed gustily. "I dislike it, but I have no choice but to comply with Killian the Dwyer."

"Indeed. Go spend the evening with your other half."

"I am not leaving yet," Baxter grumbled. "Dravyn offered to get you to his home on the back of his dragon. Once you are resting there and up in the air, I will return to Castle Leolinnia."

"Shift whenever you are ready," Killian said to Dravyn.

To Killian's amusement, in the glow of the golden light he'd provided them in the dark, Dravyn's ears turned a deep red.

Dravyn's chin hit his chest. "I will need a bit of privacy to shift."

Although Killian would have preferred to watch Dravyn peel off his clothing so he could see every inch of his thickly muscled body, he was unsurprised at the Duke's words.

"I understand," Killian assured him with a quick peck on one pink cheek.

Dravyn's mouth twisted for a second, then he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Killian's. That was an invitation Killian refused to ignore, and he cupped the bare skin of Dravyn's neck underneath his tangled mess of dark locks to kiss him more deeply. Just like the first time, Dravyn set Killian aflame. Killian was not inexperienced, but no one had ever come close to driving him to the edge of madness—and they had barely touched.

Killian's eager mind threatened his sanity with images of him lying intertwined with Dravyn. To keep himself from tugging at Dravyn's clothing himself, Killian ruthlessly shut down that train of thought and waited for his mate to shyly end their embrace. Stepping back, Dravyn smiled.

"I should go shift now," Dravyn said.

"I'll wait however long you need," Killian replied, meaning every word. Long gone was the cautious man who'd feared rejection after a century and a half of silence. Dravyn could not help his situation or his fear of magick. But Killian firmly believed things were different now.

Dravyn sprinted off toward the copse of trees behind them. Rocking from heel to toe, Killian tried not to think about Dravyn removing his clothes so he wouldn't do something stupid like chase him.

"It is weird standing here while you two kiss," Baxter said.

"You are the one insisting on being here. Clearly, I am in no danger. If you think I will stop kissing Dravyn so as not to offend your delicate sensibilities, you are sorely mistaken."

"No need to take offense. I was pointing out the weirdness, not expecting you to change your behavior. Kissing is a wonderful endeavor. I am quite fond of the practice myself."

"You could stay home and kiss Ben instead of annoying me."

"One would almost think you are not grateful for my services," Baxter complained.

"I appreciate your kindness in believing your presence here is required, but it is a waste of your time."

"Yet I still find myself asking it if is wise for you to go to a home full of strangers on a plot of land nowhere on our maps."

"It is the family of my mate."

"Everyone in my life is so damn stubborn."

Killian cracked a grin. "Yourself included."

"Thankfully, your dragon has arrived to whisk you away, so I must no longer knock my head against yours," Baxter said as Dravyn's beast came into view.

"Such dangerous beauty," Killian murmured as Dravyn swooped down behind him so he would not run into any tall trees. Turning on his heel, Killian increased the glow of his lamp to better appreciate the way the light reflected off the dark scales of the magnificent creature in front of him. Killian stepped forward and laid a hand on the surprisingly sleek texture of dragonskin. "How do I get myself up?"

Dravyn stretched his legs out and bellyflopped into the dirt. It was such a surprisingly cute movement from such a grand dragon that Killian laughed. Then he tugged his cloak up and stretched a leg over Dravyn. It took some wiggling, but eventually, Killian's bare feet dangled on either side of the beast's curved back.

"Enjoy your evening," Baxter called out.

He disappeared as Dravyn shifted beneath Killian. Before Killian could decide if he should be frightened, Dravyn thundered across the ground and flapped his enormous wings. They left the ground, and Killian threw his arms up as they went airborne. The wind whipped through his hair, tugging off his hood, and he grinned as they flowed through the cool night sky.

"This is incredible," Killian shouted, and to his delight, Dravyn's beast grumbled with what he hoped was an answering delight as they shared this wondrous experience together.

Far too soon, a modest home of wood and stone caught Killian's eye. His nerves about meeting Dravyn's kin fluttered to life as they gently coasted to the ground. Killian's eyes widened. It was not from the wide expanse of the many plants of Dravyn's garden, though it impressed him. What startled Killian into sliding off Dravyn without a word was the lovely music filling his ears.

Barely noting that the dragon had flown around to the other side of the house, Killian reached out his hand and allowed his magick to flow out to detect what other druid had dared get near Dravyn's land. But no sorcery reached him. The leaves of the plants leaned closer to Killian, and he sent a calming wave of support to each of them.

"How did you do that?" Dravyn asked, returning to his side fully dressed.

"It is not me doing it," Killian replied, thinking Dravyn was remarking upon the pretty melody.

"Then who is making all the plants bend toward you?"

Killian glanced down. He had forgotten that Dravyn was unaccustomed to witnessing plants moving in his direction. It was one of the benefits of having such strong magick and the love in his heart for every living thing.

"I can feel their emotions, and they can detect mine," Killian replied. "It is an anomaly no other druid has confessed to. Aloisa says it is because everyone—even the plants—knows I am the true ruler of our people, but she is far too humble. My sister and her mate do as much as me to ensure our people prosper."

Dravyn's brow furrowed. "Why did you say you didn't do it if it happens wherever you go?"

"I was referring to the music."

"What music?" Dravyn asked.

"The beautiful tune your garden sings."

"Killian, I hear nothing," Dravyn replied carefully as if speaking to a madman.

Sadness filled Killian's heart as he stared at a dragon who defied everything he'd been taught his entire life. Only druids of the strongest magick had the power to create harmonies in their gardens. But Dravyn had done it. Without magick.

Killian swallowed thickly, and his admiration for Dravyn grew as the plants told their truth in their merry tune. It was not sorcery that had brought this garden to such glorious heights; it was love. The plants were adored so fiercely by this shy dragon that they sang for him though he could not hear it.

Closing his eyes, Killian sent a wave of his power across the land to allow the vegetables, fruits, and flowers the ability to amplify their tune. Dravyn gasped as Killian illuminated the entire garden to watch those dark green eyes go wide, then fill with tears.

"This is my garden?" Dravyn whispered, raising his hand to cover his mouth. "You are not creating this music with your magick?"

Killian shook his head. "My magick allows them a volume they lack on their own, but this song is theirs. They love you. They love you dearly because you love them."

Crossing his arms and curling his fingers around his biceps, Dravyn hugged himself. "It is foolish, I know, to love something like a plant, but I do. I love them. All my life, the only constant has been my garden. They ask for so little and give so much in return."

"Dray, I am a druid. I would be at odds with everything Fate made me if I thought it foolish to love a plant. You are right. They give of themselves freely, and with a little tending we can help them flourish."

Killian's heart soared as Dravyn offered him that little smile he was growing to crave. "I never thought I would meet someone who understood how I feel about my garden."

"Maybe Fate paired you with a druid for a reason."

Dravyn's head bowed. "Perhaps several reasons." Then he cleared his throat. "I wish I knew how to thank them for creating their beautiful song."

"You just did," Killian replied, lifting Dravyn's chin so their eyes met. Something wonderful passed between them as the song around them shifted into something Killian could only describe as romantic. So lost in his mate, Killian was unprepared for the loud bang of a door and the booming voice of a dragon in human form roaring.

"What are you two doing out here?" shouted a tall man with soft brown curls. "Why is the garden lit up so every dragon on the continent can find it?"

Killian stumbled back and, in his haste, crushed a plant beneath his foot. Pulling his magick inward, he winced at the scream of the poor stalk he'd hurt.

"Damn you," Dravyn snapped, dropping to his knees. Killian scrambled to remove his foot from the innocent plant he'd damaged, but he was unprepared for Dravyn to slap at his leg. Gone was the shy dragon, and in his place was a pissed-off Duke. "Do not come into my garden if you cannot keep from harming anything in it, Killer."

His mouth tightening at the insult, Killian bent across from Dravyn and shoved at the dragon's hands, which had curled protectively around the plant.

"I can fix it," Killian assured Dravyn as he quickly allowed a surge of magick to flow into the abused leaves. They plumped into their previous state, and the cracked stem of the white mustard plant mended fully. Gone was the fear and hurt as he whispered an apology, and the melody resumed in Killian's ears. He ended the rest of his spells, and the garden plunged into darkness and silence for everyone but him.

"I am sorry, I did not mean to cause you fright," the man in the doorway said.

"No need to yell at my mate," Dravyn replied, the ire gone from his voice. "I apologize for yelling at you, Killian."

"It was well-deserved," Killian answered as Dravyn stood and held out a hand to him. Delighted to take it, Killian rose. He narrowed his eyes. "Did you call me Killer?"

"It seemed apt in the moment."

"I like you roaring to the defense of your plants."

"My name is Brogan if anyone cares," called out the dragon who'd created the crisis.

"A pleasure to meet you, Your Grace," Killian replied without breaking eye contact with Dravyn.

"There is no need for royal titles here at D'Vaire, but perhaps you could explain the proper way to use your title?" Brogan asked. "I have no wish to offend."

"Like you, I am not a fan of pretense," Killian said, boldly reaching out to lace his fingers with Dravyn's. To Dravyn's family, Killian wanted to show a united front. From the start, he needed to assure the D'Vaires that he was serious about his growing affection for Dravyn and his deep, unabating belief in Fate and matebonds. "But since you asked, druids are simple people. The correct way to address me is as Killian. We add the Dwyer part for formal ceremonies only and nowadays to please the other races in The Council."

"I find simple people to be the finest," Brogan replied. "Please come inside, I am sure Dravyn is eager to introduce to you everyone."

"Thank you for your hospitality, I am most eager to greet Dravyn's family," Killian answered. They were important to Dravyn, so Killian was ready to open his heart to them. With Dravyn's warm presence at his side and the steady feel of his skin on Killian's palm, they headed toward the door. Killian hoped they were taking one step closer to the future he was beginning to crave with Dravyn.