“Great. That means we have to mingle in this packed room,” Zane muttered under the rising volume in the space as people broke off into groups and headed for the snacks. “Damian’s probably spitting fire over trying to keep our emperors safe in here. Hold on to my hand so I don’t lose you.”
Tiri wrapped both his hands around Zane’s as his mate scanned the crowd and took three steps to be closer to Ellery. “Well, he is a dragon.”
“Huh?”
“You said Damian’s spitting fire. That’s what you dragons do.”
Zane winked at him with a chuckle, then returned to diligently focusing on the people trying to crowd Chrysander and Ellery while Damian barked into his communication device. Tiri thought it was unfortunate that Wesley would decide to have the food put at the back of the room, not allowing the guests of honor to exit beforehand. Costas and Zane weren’t given even a moment to celebrate their own ceremony since it was up to them to keep everyone safe. If he were Emperor, Tiri would have some choice words for the office manager. The gathered kings were supposed to have refreshments once the royal family had ventured out of the throne room, and Tiri had no idea why Wesley had chosen to change the plan without consulting anyone.
“This is mayhem. The doors are completely blocked,” Damian growled. “We’re going out the side door.”
Tiri didn’t even know such a thing existed, but he was more than willing to follow orders. He kept a tight hold on Zane as they marched out after Damian. They strode down a long, well-lit hallway that led out to a staircase.
“Sorry guys, no elevator access here. We have to hoof it,” Damian said.
“It’s two floors to our condo—I think we can manage,” his twin replied as he climbed up with Ellery’s hand locked in his. Tiri loved seeing the two of them together. His best friend had worried so much over their relationship, and now the affection between Ellery and Chrysander was impossible to miss.
Damian was still muttering angrily when he led them through the entrance of their condo, which was slated for construction the following day. Much to Tiri’s delight, Zane didn’t stop walking until they were up another staircase and into their bedroom suite.
“Congratulations, the ceremony was wonderful,” Tiri offered once they were inside.
“Thank you, I love your new crown.”
“I’d like to kiss you now.”
Zane tossed his crown as well as Tiri’s onto the dresser, then swept the sprite up into his arms. “Baby, you can do anything you damn well please to me.”
“Oh good. I did so want to make love.”
Zane’s chuckle was hearty as their lips met. Tiri let out a sigh when Zane held him tight. There was nothing he liked more than being with Zane, and when they could express their love to each other, it was a gift beyond measure. As Zane laid him on their bed while slowly undressing him, Tiri couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate his new title.
Chapter 6
Ellery tugged the linen top of his pajamas over his head and crawled into bed. There was noise from the sitting room that told him Chrysander wasn’t ready to join him yet. With a shrug, Ellery picked up the tablet on the nightstand and went through the notes Zane sent him regarding the next vote in the Main Assembly Hall. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Chrysander stalk into the room and keep going until he’d shut himself into the bathroom.
When he emerged several minutes later, he still had a loose pair of black pants on that he’d donned when they got upstairs.
“Are you all packed?” Chrysander asked as he climbed up onto the mattress and crawled over Ellery.
Setting his tablet aside, Ellery smiled at the handsome dragon as he got closer to him. “Yes, I think so. It is so strange to think of moving into a hotel tomorrow.”
Chrysander kissed him and settled his weight comfortably over Ellery. “Damian’s probably going to stay up all night memorizing the floor plans. He’s not going to be happy until we get back here and the condo is finished.”
“He has been very pleased that he and your brothers are in charge of the security features in this place.”
“And that we gave them carte blanche. It kind of scares me how much technology Damian is going to put in here. I don’t want to have to do a retinal scan to use the bathroom.”
Ellery slid his hands into Chrysander’s thick hair. “That would be inconvenient.”
“We’re going to have to wrestle more control from Wesley. He can’t skip informing our security about things like having a giant-ass buffet at the back of an enormous throne room, blocking the main doors.”
Ellery didn’t want to talk about Wesley. The truth was, he could hardly stand the office assistant, and he would bet all Tiri’s swear word money that the feeling was mutual. “He has been too comfortable in his role, perhaps.”
“He does a good job. He just needs to be reminded of the rules. I was so damn busy before that I truly had no choice but to pass a lot of things off to him. Our schedule’s lighter now, and the royal family should be making these decisions.”
“Other than the food fiasco, I thought the ceremony went well.”
“Poor Tiri looked terrified.”
