“You look good in white,” Damian said to Ellery.
His Majesty wore a cloak like Tiri since they were considered magickind. The Emperor usually wore one that was a mix of his and Chrysander’s dragonskin but this one was done solely in Ellery’s.
“Thank you. Is everyone ready?”
“Let’s rock and roll,” Costas said as they left their condo and shuffled onto the elevator. The throne room was two floors below their penthouse, so it took only seconds to arrive. Wesley was waiting for them when they stepped out.
“The room is packed,” the office manager informed them.
“Good. Let’s get this over with,” Zane remarked.
Tiri frowned. “This is a huge honor, you shouldn’t be focused on it being over.”
“Zane’s never been good with being the center of attention,” Damian drawled.
“Damian, I think you should sneak in behind everyone since we don’t want anyone focusing on you,” Wesley said.
“I’ve been guarding my brother since he became King, then Emperor. No one even thinks twice about my presence. In a packed room, you better believe I’ll be doing my job as Imperial Duke and making sure he’s safe. Besides, I’m part of the damn ceremony. Let’s go.” Damian whipped open the doors and led them into the cavernous space filled with dragons.
“Wesley’s lost his damn mind if he thinks he can tell Damian how to do his job,” Zane muttered.
“He’s very pushy,” Tiri told him.
The whirl of cameras followed them and kept right on going, even when they were standing at the front of the room. Tiri took his place next to Zane and tried not to sweat as everyone stared at their family.
“Your Highnesses and Your Graces. Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for being here today as we usher in a new tradition for the Court of Draconis,” Chrysander said. “In the year 1046, my brother and I left the dragon court of our birth to broaden our horizons. We had just shifted for the first time and surprised everyone when we were both given scales of black. At that time, we believed that made us the most powerful. Now we know different. It is the character of a dragon that makes them strong, not the color of their scales.
“At our new home, Damian and I found ourselves in the company of Duke Costas. He not only became a friend but a trusted ally. Fate made me a king in 1129, and Duke Costas swore fealty to me. As you’re all aware, two centuries later, dragons were forever changed when a coward calling himself Imperial Duke arranged for the deaths of the former emperors. Fate made me their successor, and Duke Costas journeyed with me to the Court of Draconis. My intent was to give the title of Imperial Duke to not only my twin but Costas as well.”
Damian’s grin was wry as his brother turned toward him, ceding the floor. “Duke Costas vehemently refused to take it. I was my brother’s first duke, and therefore it should be mine. Tradition is not something Costas takes lightly, and he would not buck it, even though he deserved the title.”
“Duke Costas Draconis, will you kneel before us?” Ellery asked.
Costas nodded regally at Ellery and lowered down to one knee before his emperors. Chrysander lifted an ornate sword withDRACONISengraved in the blade and tapped it on each of Costas’s shoulders. “Due to your tireless service and dedication to the Court of Draconis and the Court of Mardas before it, on behalf of Emperor Ellery and myself, we wish to grant you the newly created title of Royal Duke. Will you renew your words of fealty to your emperors?”
After handing the weapon to Damian, Chrysander placed his new crown of black, white, and gold on his head as Costas spoke. “I swear to protect the Court of Draconis and shall raise my sword to protect my emperors and all the inhabitants of this Court, should it be a just and true fight. I will conduct myself with honor and never stray from the values that govern our people. I vow I will uphold the laws of Emperor Chrysander and Emperor Ellery Draconis and never muddy the reputation of dragons.”
The Royal Duke rose to his feet, and Ellery handed him his new ring of rank, which he dutifully slid on. He was hugged by each emperor; then he stood next to Damian, who was grinning widely.
Ellery lifted his chin as the applause of the audience died down. “In 1362, a child was born. His father was a man history knows well, as he was Imperial Duke Bernal Draconis. Because of Bernal, two dragons were lost to us, and Emperor Chrysander was granted their title. Bernal was a man of dishonor and he spread lies, trying to shift the blame from himself. He lost his life as a result, but what is often neglected in this story is the young boy who at the tender age of seven nearly died from the beating he received.
“It ripped away his memory, and perhaps his clean slate was a good thing as he was able to start anew. Eagerly adopted into a new family, he became a brother not only to Emperor Chrysander but to Imperial Duke Damian and Royal Duke Costas. When he came of age, he shifted into a dark dragon, but it is undoubtedly his honor and loyalty that gained him the title of Duke. Like Royal Duke Costas, the Imperial Duke title was offered to him. He refused it.”
Chrysander’s smile was glorious. “Just a few months ago I met the man standing next to me. It was both the best moment of my life and the worst. I was happy to meet him, but I feared His Majesty would die at his first shift. Instead, he shocked everyone by changing into a dragon in a never heard of color. From the moment Emperor Ellery walked into our lives, it has been Duke Zane who has overseen his protection. It seemed only fitting that we give him a title that recognized his special place as guard of His Majesty.”
“Duke Zane Draconis and Duke-mate Tiridythas D’Vaire, will you kneel before us?” Ellery asked.
Though his knees were shaking, Tiri followed Zane toward their emperors and dutifully dropped down to the floor. He was glad this ceremony only required Zane to speak as he would no doubt find himself horribly tongue-tied. Tiri was so overwhelmed by the formality and the honor being bestowed upon the man he loved.
After being handed the sword, Ellery tapped first Zane’s shoulders, then Tiri’s. “Due to your tireless service and dedication to the Court of Draconis on behalf of Emperor Chrysander and myself we wish to grant you the newly created title of Ducblanc. Will you renew your words of fealty to your emperors?”
“I swear to protect the Court of Draconis and shall raise my sword to protect my emperors and all the inhabitants of this Court, should it be a just and true fight. I will conduct myself with honor and never stray from the values that govern our people. I vow I will uphold the laws of Emperor Chrysander and Emperor Ellery Draconis and never muddy the reputation of dragons,” Zane replied as their new crowns were placed on their heads. They were similar to Costas’s, but teal was added to recognize Tiri as Zane’s mate.
Zane held out a hand to help Tiri to his feet once he stood. Tiri gratefully accepted it as well as a quick kiss; then Chrysander handed them their rings of rank.
“Will you slide mine on for me?” Zane whispered. Tiri nodded and they exchanged bands.
“I can think of no men as worthy as the Royal Duke and the Ducblanc for these special honors. Thank you all for being here today to celebrate their dedicated years of service,” Chrysander said, concluding the ceremony. After Tiri and Zane were congratulated and embraced by their family, Wesley ran up to him and spoke rapidly while Chrysander nodded. “I have just been told that there are refreshments being placed at the back of the room if you wish to partake.”
