No one got a chance to respond; their attention was drawn to the door which slammed loudly, and a glowering dragon stomped out onto the deck. He took three steps and grabbed the collar of Renny’s shirt, lifting him into the air so his feet dangled; then he did the same to Dra’Kaedan. “What the hell is going on?” Duke Brogan D’Vairedraconis demanded.
Both familiar and warlock yelled their responses at the same time. Brogan rolled his eyes and gave each short sorcerer a shake.
“You know what? I don’t even care. Just knock off the backyard wrestling,” Brogan ordered.
His mate, Dra’Kaedan, eyed him sharply and crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you want to put me right the fuck down?”
“I’m not going to apologize,” Renny, his familiar, announced as he mirrored his warlock’s pose. “He turned my ass into a complete mess, and it hurt.”
“You can heal yourself,” Dra’Kaedan argued.
Renny kicked out a leg, nailing Dra’Kaedan in the shin. Heedless of the big shifter trying to keep them apart, the two started slapping each other.
Aleksander let out a sigh. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to go settle this…or it’s really going to get ugly.”
Chrysander grinned at Ellery, who chuckled. “Our house is so tame compared to this place.”
“Yes, and I hope they know Tiri’s on the deck counting all the dollars they owe him for their cursing,” Ellery said. Duke-mate Tiridythas D’Vaire was mated to one of the men who personally guarded the Emperors, and he took foul language seriously.
“It’s hard to remember to watch my mouth,” Jeremiah lamented. “Tiri’s so freaking nice, I’d never tell him to get lost or anything when he tells me how much I owe him.”
“I’m afraid no one is immune to his charms,” Chrysander responded. “Ell, Jeremiah’s afraid you aren’t going to call him any longer since your training is done.”
“Wow, I’d call you a tattletale, but you’re my emperor,” Jeremiah groused.
Ellery untangled himself from his embrace, which was not Chrysander’s intention when he snitched, but he understood how important the young dragon had become to his other half, so he didn’t try to haul him close again. Once Ellery was facing Jeremiah, he laid a hand on his arm. Elves rarely touched anyone beyond their family circle, which made it plain to both Chrysander and the blond drakeling that Ellery was serious about their friendship.
“Thanks to you and your advice, I made history. I could not have done it without you. Other than you, Tiri and several of the D’Vaires were the only people who had unswerving confidence in my ability. For that you have my eternal gratitude,” Ellery said. “That would be enough for me to keep in touch, but I also enjoy your company. You were an ally during a very scary time in my life, and I appreciate you. Nothing is going to change, so I suggest you get used to my name popping up on your phone.”
“You did all the hard work, so I don’t need your gratitude. I’m so glad you feel connected too. You’re going to do great things as Emperor, I just know it. It’s an honor to have your friendship, and I think you’re a really great person.”
Ellery cocked his head to the side, which made his overly long bangs slide into his eyes. After ruthlessly chopping it all off, he was now determined to grow it out a few more inches so it didn’t annoy him, but in the meantime, he was dealing with it. “This stupid hair,” he muttered.
Chrysander laughed. “Your just desserts for wanting it short.”
“Your Majesty, I have already told you to get over it,” Ellery griped. After giving Chrysander a glare, he turned to Jeremiah. “What do you say we stop thanking each other and just enjoy this gorgeous day?”
“Do you think when people aren’t here, Aleksander has Dra’Kaedan or Renny stand in the corner when they’re bad?” Jeremiah asked. Chrysander glanced over at Aleksander who was standing with the door wide open while the two sorcerers with slumped shoulders marched into the house.
“No, I think these days, all he has to do is invoke the power of Saura,” Chrysander responded. Lichpriestess Saura D’Vaire was Dra’Kaedan’s mother, and she didn’t tolerate her eldest son acting like a brat.
“She’s awesome but scary,” Jeremiah noted. He leaned to the side to see inside the house, then took off sprinting toward it. “Pyxlevir’s awake,” he called back to them as he jogged away.
“I guess we aren’t as interesting as Pyxlevir,” Chrysander told Ellery as he tugged him into his arms. Ellery pressed their mouths together and tangled his hands in Chrysander’s hair.
“It is difficult to compete with a toddler.”
“Especially a little blue elf who smiles constantly.”
“He is adorable.”
“I didn’t even know he and Kalthekor were here,” Chrysander said. Chieftain Kalthekor ruled over the Valzadari tribe and was Pyxlevir’s father.
“Kalthekor had a council function to attend this morning.”
“I guess I’m not up on all the elf gossip.”
“I believe golf was involved.”
