Chrysander frowned. “What? Who was part of this group? Why didn’t I get invited?”
“I suppose you will have to ask Wesley.”
“I have every intention of doing so,” Chrysander responded. Wesley was their office manager and up until the moment Chrysander had his mating ceremony with Ellery, he’d sent them out to nearly every Council event scheduled. Now that Chrysander wanted time to be alone with the sexy elf-dragon currently plastered to his chest, they’d scaled back their calendar to keep one another a priority.
Ellery nipped his chin. “You know, I bet no one would notice if we snuck off to our room.”
“Keep it in your pants, Elf. Don’t you see they’re firing up the grill?”
Rubbing against him so Chrysander could feel that Ellery was definitely in the mood for some alone time, Ellery’s grin was both charming and aggressive. “No reason we cannot do it fast.”
Chrysander kissed his nose. “You’re insatiable.”
“I must wait until after dinner?”
“At the very least.”
“Fine, but I am not going to be able to sleep until I get to be with you.”
Laughing, Chrysander brought their mouths together for a more satisfying kiss. He lifted his head and smiled at the stunning man he was lucky enough to have for eternity. All the pain and fear in his heart from the moment he met Ellery vanished when he became a dragon. In front of them was a glorious future full of love.
“This is news? You haven’t kept your hands to yourself since the night we were mated.”
“Sex is the second-best part of having a mate.”
“What’s the first?”
“That whole love thing,” Ellery teased.
“I love you too,” Chrysander responded as he pulled free to help Duke Dravyn D’Vairedraconis grill dinner. “But hey…”
“What?” Ellery asked as he headed toward the spot where Tiri was on the deck, sewing happily.
“Keep your hands off my ass until then.”
“No promises,” Ellery called after him.
Chapter 2
Duke Zane Draconis trailed after his emperors and while he might have appeared relaxed to the casual observer, his focus was laser sharp. It was his sacred duty to keep Emperor Ellery Draconis safe, and he took his responsibilities seriously. His eyes met those of Imperial Duke Damian Draconis and saw the same alertness reflected in his gaze. Damian was the top man for safety, and though he insisted both Zane and Duke Costas Draconis were his equal, it simply wasn’t true.
“This place is really taking shape,” Chrysander remarked as their group surveyed the construction. All around them, griffins disguised as men hammered, painted, or completed whatever other task they were assigned.
From the chaos emerged their leader, Harley Griffinis, who held out his hand to Chrysander. “Your Majesties, great to see you.”
“You are further along than I thought,” Ellery commented with a smile.
“Ahead of schedule. It’ll only be about two weeks until you’re back at your desks over here. Larissa D’Vairedraconis called me this morning and told me you finally shed your scales, so she’s started working on the furniture for the reception area and your office.”
“Elf is going to need to shed a great deal more—we have about a million sashes to redo for every Draconis,” Damian said. Elf was Ellery’s security name, and they’d taken to calling him that constantly over the last month. The fact that he was more than a dragon was something they wanted no one to forget. He wastheDraconis elf, and it filled them with pride that he was one of their rulers. Zane was sure that once Ellery unlocked his confidence, he and Chrysander would usher in an even more prosperous age for the entire Council of Sorcery and Shifters.
“He’s only been a dragon for a month,” Zane admonished one of the men who was his brother in all but blood.
“I know, I know. I’m just excited about wearing the new sashes,” Damian responded.
“With this space being nearly completed, I’d love to get with you guys sometime this week to finalize plans for construction on your home. The throne room will be done in a few days,” Harley said.
“Wonderful. I want to have the dedication ceremony as soon as possible,” Ellery commented. “Zane and Costas have waited too long already to get their new titles.”
