Chapter 33

The tribal beat of the drums sank through Dravyn's skin and down to his bones. If he had ever learned to dance, he would've run to join the others moving their bodies to the music. Smiles wreathed their faces, and Dravyn was proud that the leaders of The Council insisted on this monthly gathering. It was readily apparent how it raised the spirits of the people so haunted by the regular tragedies they endured.

Alone on the slightly raised altar where the sorcerers had conjured seats for every leader, Dravyn sat and allowed his attention to drift to the man who'd captured his heart. Killian's bare feet moved gracefully through the leaves and petals his magick had summoned as he produced massive amounts of food to feed their flock.

Killian was in nothing but a gilded crown and low-slung braies the color of Dravyn's dragon, and both man and beast were mesmerized by the vine-covered druid. Lust was swimming through Dravyn's veins, and he cared not that he was at a festival. Since he had no intention of standing and alerting anyone to his half-hard cock, Dravyn stared unabashedly at Killian. The man was a miracle.

Somehow, Fate had looked directly into Dravyn and understood what he needed. Killian was kind and thoughtful and shared Dravyn's immense interest in all living things. With Killian at his side, Dravyn had finally embraced the peace he'd dreamed of the day he arrived at the new Court D'Vaire.

Both King Ethelin and Imperial Duke Bernal had left deep scars in Dravyn. Killian had healed the outward ones, but Dravyn could not forget how the first two and a half centuries had played out or the way he had been terrorized. Thanks to the quiet but persistent feeling of home the D'Vaires had created and the stunning druid dancing through a row of apple trees, Dravyn was growing more confident in himself with each passing hour.

Feeling strong was new to Dravyn, but he and his dragon had embraced it fully. Aleksander hadn't tossed him out into the garden and forgotten him. Although Aleksander was damaged and was learning as he went how to be a King, he trusted his Dukes and Duchess. As for Killian, Dravyn's mate was a skilled leader and could produce a far grander garden in an hour than Dravyn could accomplish in a decade of toiling, but he treated him as an equal.

Instead of demanding Fate explain why Dravyn was so lucky to have such a beautiful and impressive mate, he invested his energy into improving himself and tending as best he could to the other half of his soul. As if Killian knew he was on Dravyn's mind, he turned and smiled in a secret way that left no doubt that Dravyn would be loved thoroughly before the sun rose.

His duties apparently complete, Killian strode toward where Dravyn was seated. With a sudden need to hide the tenting of his hose, Dravyn dragged his cloak over his lap and nearly swore at the wave of sensation that act sent through him.

Without a word, Killian settled on the seat of vines he'd created for two and cupped the back of Dravyn's neck. Their lips met, and Killian's kiss was neither tender nor sweet. It was a full-on mating of tongues and added more flicks of flame to Dravyn's growing desire.

Dravyn had nearly given up any thought of where they were and started stripping off his clothes to the cool night sky, but Killian pulled away and grinned.

"Dray, I love you."

"I love you too."

Killian held out his hand. "Take it."

With no objection to touching Killian, Dravyn quickly obeyed. But he tugged on Killian's arm when he rose and tried to encourage Dravyn to get up alongside him.

"Killer, I am in no condition to traipse through the dancers."

"Why not?" Killian asked, alarmed. "I sense no injury. Did someone insult you? What ails you, love?"

His face flushing with heat, Dravyn scowled while Killian stood above him with concern in those softly glowing eyes. Thankfully, Dravyn's embarrassment was quelling his rising manhood, but the situation remained less than ideal.

"It is often difficult for a man to disguise his interest," Dravyn muttered to the ground.

"His interest in what?"

Dravyn lifted his chin and narrowed his gaze at a now-grinning Killian. "It was for a scantily clad druid whose vines have unfortunately disappeared now that his duties are complete, but my interest is quickly vanishing."

Leaning down, Killian kissed his cheek. "Do you think you are the only person this night suffering pangs of desire? Few, if any, will notice. They are far too focused on revelry." Killian's mouth curled into a suggestive smile. "Then again, given the size of your rod, it is hard to miss."

"You are being unhelpful."

"Please come with me and think about how intense my love for you is instead of how deep you'd like my cock inside you."

Scandalized, Dravyn's mouth dropped open. "Save such sentiments until we are alone."

"You are making this night most awkward."

"I did not mean to," Dravyn replied, crestfallen that he was upsetting Killian. His embarrassment was dissipating along with the strength of his erection, which left plenty of room for Dravyn's newfound irritation with himself.

"Dray, I have a surprise for you. That is all. No need to badger yourself; I spoke out of turn. I want this night to be perfect, and I am the one making a muck out of it."

Dravyn offered Killian a sheepish smile and stood. Since Killian hadn't bothered to step back to give him space, they were practically chest-to-chest. Dropping his chin to meet Killian halfway, he eagerly returned the soft kiss.

"Could we start over?" Dravyn asked. "Forget everything that happened after you offered your hand to me?"

"Whatever you wish. Your Grace, will you do me the privilege of coming with me?"

"It would be my honor, Killian the Dwyer."

With a wink and another brush of their lips, Killian turned and led Dravyn to the center of the dancers. To Dravyn's surprise, everyone parted, and the leaders of The Council grinned at them.

"Are we ready to begin?" Kaedan asked.

Killian released his hold on Dravyn, and a small golden dagger with vines wrapped around the hilt in the exact green of his dragon appeared between them.

"Dravyn, will you and your dragon do me the honor of forging a bond between our souls for eternity?"

Love and tenderness flooded Dravyn, and tears filled his eyes. He was unable to find his voice, and his breath hitched, but he managed a nod.

The most stunning melody filled Dravyn's ears, and Kaedan plucked the athame from the air as everyone broke into song. It was sung in a language Dravyn didn't understand, but the beauty of it was not lost on him.

"Please hold out your hands," Kaedan requested, handing the blade to Aloisa.

Killian lifted his left, which Aloisa cut, so Dravyn mirrored him by offering his right to Clara. The slice across his palm was extraordinarily painful, but Dravyn did not flinch. Instead, he wept silently as Killian pressed their wounds together and a vision of two souls entered his mind. His dragon roared with approval and his desire to seal their bond forever with a bite. Dravyn intended to make that happen before morning.

"Fate has matched you, and tonight begins the promise of eternal love," Kaedan said. "As long as your heart remains true, you honor our goddess's gift."

Dravyn smiled gratefully at Killian as the now-familiar feeling of his healing magick touched his skin. With a flourish, Kaedan handed Chander the dagger.

"It is unpleasant, but we have another cut to endure," Killian whispered.

With a nod to signal he understood, Dravyn was forced to let go of Killian. Chander moved almost in a blur as he cut Dravyn. A moment later, Chander returned the athame to Kaedan, who sliced Killian's hand. Chander's speed did not make his wound hurt less, but Dravyn would not complain about it. Nothing could compare to this night.

"Our blood has spilled, and our spirits have bonded," Killian stated. "We ask Fate to grant us a mark from left shoulder to elbow so the world may bear witness we belong only to each other."

To Dravyn's fascination and his beast's roaring approval, a perfect replica of his dragon appeared on Killian's arm. It was bisected by the gold band Fate had given Killian, but that added to the beauty. So overcome by what he was seeing, Dravyn barely noticed the biting pain on his own skin. In a cloak and tunic, Dravyn could not know what Fate had granted him.

Killian reached out and grabbed Dravyn's biceps to plant a deep kiss on his willing mouth. When Killian pulled away, Dravyn grinned.

"Your vines," Dravyn exclaimed as the thin branches he loved appeared suddenly.

"You are giving them to me," Killian replied, his smile bright. "Or perhaps Fate did with the mark she gave you."

The crowd cheered as Dravyn burrowed himself into Killian's arms. "My dragon and I want to complete our matebond."

"I am most curious about what a dragon bite feels like," Killian whispered.

It was unexpected to find his matebond nearing completion, but Dravyn was grateful for the invitation to share their love with Killian's people. Although dragons were not known for ceremony with their other halves, they had a tradition of wearing rings. Dravyn would speak with Madeline in the morning about crafting something.

But it was of no consequence now. What mattered was the love blooming between him and Killian.

◆◆◆

As soon as Dravyn was in Killian's tree, he yanked off his cloak and tunic. On his arm was a gorgeous twist of vines and flowers that resembled what Dravyn had so often admired on Killian as the druid used his sorcery at dances. The same gathering Dravyn would now forever associate with his matebond and his eternal gift from Fate.

"I didn't know what to expect," Killian said, his fingertips brushing across the mating mark. In moments, Killian was covered again in gorgeous greenery. Dravyn laid a palm over Killian's bare chest, and they both trembled.

"What do you mean?"

"Have you not noticed? Each couple has unique marks, and I knew not what a dragon and his other half would wind up with."

"Does it go away if you stop touching it?" Dravyn asked.

Killian shook his head with a smile. "No. I can control it, thanks to you."

"Will you stay this way while you love me tonight?"

Magick whipped away the only article of clothing Killian wore, and desire punched Dravyn in the gut. The vines trailed through the nest of curls above Killian's prick and along the shaft itself. Dravyn breathed out slowly as he wondered if he'd feel those ridges inside him.

"I need to fuck you, Dragon Boy."

Flustered with his driving need to be naked, Dravyn tugged ineffectually at the tie of his hose, but Killian used sorcery to finish the task. If any wind was flowing through the leaves of the tree, Dravyn did not feel it. There was so much heat growing in him, it was a wonder he did not burst into flames.

His dragon was impatient, and Dravyn's gums tingled as his cock rose to curl up toward his belly. They had barely touched, but Dravyn's beast was ready to stake his claim.

"Please get inside me," Dravyn rasped around his fangs.

"I will not hurt you. Get on the mattress so we can do things properly."

Eager to oblige, Dravyn threw himself onto the bedding on his hands and knees. A sigh of relief escaped him when Killian buried two fingers in his arse. There was no toying with that sweet bundle of nerves inside him. Killian was pure business as he plunged those digits in and out.

Dravyn's back arched, and he moaned loudly in the quiet tree where he'd experienced passion countless times. Although each of those encounters had pushed him beyond what he'd believed desire to be, this night was different. His skin was damp, his balls heavy with need, and he clutched the covers in his fists as he rocked in some vain effort to speed Killian up.

"I wish I could find the right words to describe how much I love you spread out before me like a feast," Killian said. "Your tight pink hole beckons to me even if you are not near. Lust burns in my veins for you, and my tongue often tingles for a taste of your cock."

Killian's words were doing nothing to temper the firestorm brewing within Dravyn. He whimpered. Killian caressed the curve of his arse, and it was like a fiery brand. To Dravyn's relief, Killian patiently worked three fingers into him, and his magick provided oil that Dravyn swore was tingling.

Grunting and riding the waves of desire that tensed his muscles, Dravyn focused on his dragon's need to bite Killian instead of how badly he yearned to climax.

"I am ready. I am ready. I am ready," Dravyn chanted.

"Shh, I will care for you," Killian coaxed, pressing a soft kiss to Dravyn's overheated skin as he pulled his arm away. Killian landed on his back next to Dravyn and smiled. "Straddle me."

Eager to oblige, Dravyn shuffled over and waited for Killian to wiggle further into the center of the mussed sheets. Then Killian grabbed his own cock, and Dravyn reached behind him to help guide that vine-covered prick to his hole. Although everything in him—including his dragon—was screaming at him to hurry, Dravyn slowly lowered himself.

His eyes squeezed shut once the head of Dravyn's rod popped through the first barrier inside him. Dravyn's hands landed on Killian's chest, and he dug his nails in as he registered the distinct difference of being made love to by a man decorated so elegantly in greenery.

"How does it feel?" Killian whispered, caressing Dravyn's flanks.

"I cannot…" Dravyn licked his lips and tried to form more words, but it was nearly impossible. "Oh, Killian. Never have I felt…we must do this again."

With a persistent beast demanding he speed up, Dravyn shook his head slightly. He wanted to savor the experience. To fully enjoy these exquisite moments with Killian. But it could not last forever, and Dravyn was nearly driven mad with lust by the time he had Killian fully buried in him.

His heart begged him to linger, but tenderness lost that battle. With Killian squeezing his thighs, Dravyn jerked his hips and used the muscles of his thighs to ride his druid. Killian was murmuring something, but Dravyn was too lost in his desire to understand the words.

Beneath him, Killian tilted his head back, baring his throat. It was a temptation Dravyn's dragon could not resist. Dravyn surged forward, and his fangs bit into the tender skin of Killian's neck.

A mighty roar filled his head as their souls fully intertwined, completing the journey Fate intended for them. The pleasure that ripped through Dravyn was unmatched, and Killian called out his name as his hot seed filled Dravyn's channel. They had found completion together, and it was miraculous.

Suddenly scared that he'd frightened or injured Killian, Dravyn carefully pulled his teeth free and licked the already-healed wound.

"Did I hurt you?" Dravyn whispered, dropping tiny kisses across Killian's jaw.

"No," Killian replied, soothing Dravyn with tender sweeps of his hands on Dravyn's damp skin. "I consent to be bitten by your dragon whenever the mood suits you both."

"I consent to you and your vines loving me for eternity."

"The thought of living forever did not appeal to me until you captured my heart," Killian said against his mouth. "Thank you for being my mate."

"Tonight was a delightful surprise, and you have my thanks."

"You have my soul, Dray. Care for me tenderly as you've done these months. This I beg of you. I vow to do the same for you."

Pushed to happy tears again, Dravyn smiled and kissed Killian. "I can make no more honorable vow than to be yours."

Both man and dragon were content to be held close by the druid who'd convinced him that true magick was built between two people who'd learned to love. It was a night he would remember always.