“And I’m finding it works in a lot of situations. The problem I’m going to have is when I return to things like committee meetings, I might not be able to hold back.”
“Ah good, we’ve officially corrupted you. D’Vaire style.”
It was Chrysander’s turn to laugh. “It’s a good thing Ell loves me, or he’d take the D’Vaire name in a heartbeat. He’s no longer intimidated by his title, but the idea of living amongst freaks resonates with him. No matter where he goes or who he’s with, he’ll always be different.”
“I know the feeling. That’s why I loved the idea when Dra’Kaedan and Blodwen first approached us in a family meeting. If Dra’Kaedan and Latarian hadn’t knocked on my door, we’d still be six dragons moping around the house. I doubt anyone has ever or will ever impact my life so much as the Grand Warlock.”
“Well, your mate will certainly upend things when you find her.”
Aleksander’s gaze shifted for a moment; then he shrugged. “I’m not overly concerned with finding my other half.”
“You may very well be tempting fate with a statement like that. That’s what Zane used to say before we were called to a piece of shit village in the middle of nowhere where he met Tiri. The same might happen to you.”
“I don’t get called to shitty villages.”
“Speaking of invitations, you’ve been asked to go to the annual dragon gathering for oh…I don’t know, six centuries. You could go there.”
“It was canceled this year.”
“And you know why, but it’ll resume next year. I’d like you to come.”
“My family isn’t all dragons.”
“They carry a dragon last name that makes them honorary ones and welcome at our gathering.”
“Where they will be nothing but outcasts and oddities. My job is to make them stand out for the right reasons.”
“I’m not even going to stand here and fight with you. I’ll just get Ell to argue with that rock of a head you have.”
“As fond as I am of Elf, I’m still not going.”
Chrysander let out a sigh. Aleksander was a good king—likely the best one they had, but he refused to be a part of the greater dragon community. There were likely many reasons and Chrysander wasn’t sure if anyone would ever convince him he’d been singled out by Fate for a good cause. “You know, kings are really not supposed to dispute an Emperor’s request.”
Aleksander lifted one dark brow. “I doubt there is a very serious penalty for refusing to attend what amounts to essentially a weeklong party.”
“You might have fun, you know?”
“My whole life is fun. You’ve met my family.”
“You’re annoying.”
“So are you.”
Chrysander threw his head back and laughed. “What am I going to do with you, King D’Vaire?”
“Remember that I’ve always followed your rule, even when I was being forced to live on some patch of land in the middle of nowhere.”
“Ironic that your father didn’t.”
“Yes well, as Dra’Kaedan will assure you, the man is an asshat who ruined my reputation.”
“I should’ve made more of an effort to get to the bottom of the rumors that surrounded you. It was my job to take care of all my kings and though I thought I was protecting you, I did more harm than good.”
“It led me here. I have no regrets, nor do I wish it was any different. And you had a great deal on your plate when you got the crown. Drystan and Conley were dead. It took you a century to unravel all that shit. By then, my destiny was set. I’ve often found it interesting though, that when we moved the Council west you chose to move me so close to Las Vegas.”
“I thought perhaps you might work your way back into dragon life if you were close to the action. Instead, you built a big freaking house and never left it.”
Aleksander grinned. “It’s a nice place.”
