Anxious to prolong this celebration of their commitment to each other, Chrysander lifted slightly onto his elbows as he rocked against Ellery. He was going to allow his dragon to bite, but first he wanted to drive Ellery wilder. Chrysander propelled forward faster, and Ellery’s back bowed as he tugged on Chrysander’s hair. If he could, Chrysander would take a picture of his man just like this—lost in his passion and desperately yearning for more.
His lovely skin glistened and his mouth was slightly open as his breath was forced out of his lungs in short puffs. Somehow Ellery managed to look elegant through it all. Desperate for him, Chrysander let his beast take over. He grasped the back of Ellery’s neck and tilted his head to sink his teeth in one quick motion.
Chrysander’s name slipped from Ellery’s lips as he found his fulfillment. His come splashed between them as did Chrysander’s. The release was so sudden and fierce, his head spun but he was careful not to harm Ellery. He pulled his head away from Ellery’s throat and sealed the wound he left with a lick.
He slid his arms under Ellery and held him tight. “I love you so much,” he breathed out. “I miss you whenever you aren’t with me. I don’t ever want to let you go.”
“You are my everything, Chrys,” Ellery said against his ear. “Please do not ever forget it.”
Chrysander said nothing more as he embraced the man his own life revolved around. In his wildest dreams or even nightmares, he couldn’t have imagined this first year more apart than together. But the future would be different, and the one thing they could always count on moving forward was their love—through it all, it had done nothing but flourish.
Chapter 36
High Arcanist Idris the Indigo reached up to pet his familiar, Roger, who was perched on Duke Macardle’s shoulder. The only time Roger wasn’t lying in his favorite spot was during mealtime and at bedtime. It was something Mac never complained about, and it was one of the many things Idris loved about the man Fate gave him.
“This is weird,” Mac said as they stood in the hallway outside the room Aleksander had moved them to once the search for Ellery’s cure started. They’d outgrown the small conference room Renny had selected for their group long before Emperor Chrysander gave it a name.
“Yeah, Aleksander locked the door a week ago. He’s had Harley Griffinis and his men in there doing something. I guess he got sick of us stacking books everywhere and wanted to give us more shelves.”
“We’ll see, if he ever lets us in.”
“Oh, stop complaining, I’ll let you guys in when everyone’s here,” Aleksander interjected from his spot next to the entrance.
“We’re all here, Bigfoot. We have a meeting to get to,” Dra’Kaedan retorted.
“Fine. Sorcery D’Vaire deserved something better than a makeshift meeting room. I decided we needed something which reflected all of you and your gifts. Lichpriestess and gentlemen, behold the new home of our amazing group.”
King D’Vaire opened the door and ushered them inside. Once Idris was able to squeeze through behind Mac’s broad shoulders, he let out a heartfelt sigh. His eyes were immediately drawn to the enormous circular table that anchored the room. In the center of the wood was an intricate reproduction of Aleksander’s dragon head in a circle of twisted gold and silver. Engraved in the same two colors was the name of their group.
Around it along the walls were bookshelves filled with a mix of new and ancient tomes which had found their way here from the private collections of the many of the members. Between them were thin banners which represented each race included in Sorcery D’Vaire. He’d left plenty of gaps for them to grow if necessary, and the entire room was stunning.
“Wow,” Dra’Kaedan commented, his tone full of reverence.
“I felt it was important for our surroundings to not only reflect who we are but be inspiration for the projects we’ll tackle in the future,” Aleksander explained. “Larissa has also crafted patches for us to add to your cloaks, uniforms, or suit jackets if you are so inclined to display our connection to Sorcery D’Vaire.”
“Well done,” Saura enthused.
“You’re welcome to grab a seat so we can get started.”
“Give us a minute to enjoy the splendor,” Vadimas retorted.
“Take your time, Prism Wizard. Far be it for me to interrupt.”
“Thank you, Aleksander. This is unbelievable,” Idris told his king.
“My pleasure. As usual, Harley and his griffins have exceeded my expectations.”
Idris walked the circumference of the room as did the others; then they drifted toward the chairs placed around the large table.
“I was influenced by the table designed for the Sentinel Brotherhood,” Idris heard Aleksander say to the Lich Sentinel.
“It’s remarkable,” Chander replied.
Eventually they all got seated and Aleksander smiled. “Should we start our meeting?”
“Go for it,” Renny responded.
“Let’s talk about Elf,” Aleksander suggested. “His family is returning home tomorrow now that his potions are only necessary once a month or sooner if he feels like his dragon is taking over. I know you’re all anxious to continue to make improvements to our concoction, and the hope is to cure him in the future, but I think you should be commended on how far we’ve come.”
