* * *
Ellery could feel Chrysander’s salty tears on his scales, but he couldn’t do much. It broke his heart. Once Chrysander had been exactly what anyone would expect of an emperor. His confidence was impossible to miss, and everything he did was done with grace and dignity. Still a noble man who led the Council, Chrysander spoke lower. His voice was laden with sadness and his eyes full of sorrow. The aura of desolation around him was so palatable, Ellery could almost touch it.
Growing up, Ellery had lived with his mother. She’d been abandoned by her mate, and Ellery understood as he grew up that the man could not have possibly loved her. Once he found out she was pregnant he’d left, and never looked back. When Ellery met Chrysander, worry had filled him that he too would either be cast aside or that his other half would fail to care for him.
Ellery knew now that would never be the case. Chrysander was devoted to him and though that was an incredible gift, it was also the thing hurting him. It was hard to find fault in a strong matebond, but it was gut-wrenching in their current circumstances. He could stand in front of Chrysander and listen to his voice. However, he was powerless to answer his questions or tell him everything that resided in his soul. Chrysander was able to pet his scales, but Ellery was limited to wrapping a wing around him or rubbing his head against him. That was all they had.
“Hey guys,” Zane called out to where Ellery was resting on Chrysander’s thigh. “I was just going through the latest batch of stuff mailed to the office. There’s a letter here for you, Elf, from Debra Stenetdraconis.”
Ellery rose up to his feet as Zane handed it to Chrysander to read.
“I guess you’re interested in hearing from her,” Chrysander said with a weary smile. Throughout the tragedy of being stuck in dragon form, Ellery had nearly forgotten about the puzzle of his parentage. After standing, Chrysander pulled the single page from the envelope and read it aloud.
Your Majesty,
I wished to write you sooner, but I did not want to burden myself upon you at such a difficult time. Harry and I have watched the news each night hoping for a happy update, but there have been none in the last month since they announced your dragon was no longer consuming your elven side. We were both relieved to hear that. I know it may be hard for you to believe, but we both think of you and your mate daily.
We’re so deeply sorry that this tragedy has befallen you. It is our sincerest hope that you one day overcome this potion and can return to your role as Emperor. I understand the DNA test is certainly no priority for you, but I wanted you to know that the Prism Wizard was kind enough to inform us that Harry is indeed your father. When you are well again, he would very much like to speak with you.
Again, we wish you and His Majesty well. Please take care and we hope to see you on the news again soon.
Debra and Harry Stenetdraconis
Ellery thought her letter was kind and was a bit surprised that no one bothered to tell him Harry was his father. That fact was more shocking than the truth of the DNA test itself. He’d been pretty sure from the start that they had the right Harry.
“Zane, will you see if Vadimas has a moment to speak with us?” Chrysander asked. Ellery gave his attention to Chrysander’s face and understood by the look in his eyes that he was startled. It was rewarding to know Chrysander hadn’t kept the knowledge of his parentage from him.
Zane barely had enough time to find Vadimas when the wizard came charging out of the building. His dark hair was in wild disarray around his head and his violet eyes were contrite. “Your Majesties, I thought I told you about the DNA,” the bedraggled Vadimas shouted as he raced to their sides. “Now how could I have forgotten that? You have my deepest apologies.”
Chrysander gave him a wry grin. “You’ve been busy. It’s okay. We were just surprised.”
“I could’ve sworn I mentioned it. I really am sorry.”
Ellery had no choice but to lick his face so Vadimas would know there were no hurt feelings.
“Yes well, I can do without the dragon spit. I hope the knowledge wasn’t too shocking. Debra sent me a lovely note asking about you. I wonder if I ever wrote back to her. I should check on that.”
“I’m going to write to her on Ellery’s behalf. I can thank her for you.”
“I would appreciate that, Chrys. I don’t even know where to start looking for where I set her letter down,” Vadimas grumbled. “I know that look, Elf. Don’t you dare lick me again.”
Ellery doubted he would see Vadimas in such a disheveled state again, and he couldn’t help but dole out more affection. He grazed Vadimas’s cheek with his tongue while the sorcerer shoved him gently away.
“Your Majesty, really,” the perturbed wizard said.
Chrysander wrapped an arm around Ellery as he chuckled. “Stop assaulting the Prism Wizard, Ell.”
“I need to get back to work. I do apologize again for my rather large oversight.”
“No worries, Vadimas,” Chrysander replied. The wizard hurried to the building where the sorcerers spent nearly all their waking time as Chrysander leaned into Ellery’s body. He rested there for a second, then pressed a kiss to his scales. “Okay, Ell. Let’s see if we can come up with something to say to Debra. It was kind of her to write. We’ll worry about the whole Harry situation when you’re well again.”
Ellery nodded his head and lowered himself to the ground. He was prepared to stick close to Chrysander’s side—if there was only one thing Ellery and his dragon could agree upon these days, it was that there was nothing sweeter than the company of their mate.
Chapter 27
Half a year after Ellery’s life changed with a single cup of coffee, he was nestled on the large dragon bed Larissa had sewn for him. It was a comfy pillow made from Chrysander’s dragonskin and it comforted him when the man he loved had to leave. The Emperor had duties and couldn’t always stay at D’Vaire, but he’d return as soon as Council session was over.
