“I still answer to my emperors, who are also immortal.”
“I’m sorry. I’m being an asshat, but I can’t wrap my head around this. You just gave two men I love eternal life. I simply can’t and frankly don’t want to try to imagine my life without Damian or Costas.”
Dra’Kaedan snorted. “It’s funny when Chrys says asshat.”
“We really have made him a D’Vaire,” Renny crowed.
Chrysander gave Ellery a look Idris was unable to interpret. “I’m so glad you planned the event in the throne room. It makes even greater sense now.”
“It does. I cannot wait for you all to join us next weekend,” Ellery replied.
“Honestly, we don’t need recognition for what we’ve done,” Idris said.
“Which speaks to the beauty of your heart,” Ellery responded. “But it is important for us to give back.”
“That’s his polite way of telling you that you damn well better show up,” Chrysander remarked with a pointed glare at Aleksander.
“I’m going, okay?”
“You may not want anything in exchange and I certainly have no words for what you have given me. But I plan to do as you’ve asked and live my life to its fullest,” Costas remarked. “I know Damian will do the same.”
“Yeah, especially now that I’m no longer in danger of peeing in my pants.”
“On that note, how about we go grab a couple of beers and celebrate eternal life?” Aleksander suggested.
“One moment,” Ellery said. “Chrysander, you owe Tiri four dollars and Damian, you need to transfer one. Aleksander, I will leave you to sort out Court D’Vaire.”
Aleksander let out a sigh. “I’m pretty sure I owe him one and Squirt, so do you.”
“You guys really don’t have to pay me anymore,” Tiri complained.
“Too late, I already transferred mine,” Damian remarked as he stood with his phone in his hand. “Time to party and get this funk out of my mouth.”
Idris turned to Mac with a grin and was rewarded with a kiss. It was gratifying to be able to give immortality to deserving people, and Idris had a man at his side who made every day brighter. He sent up a wish to Fate that she would bring both Damian and Costas the same.
Chapter 37
Ellery had tearfully said good-bye to D’Vaire and its inhabitants the previous day. Now he stood alone in the incredible solarium Chrysander had added to the floor plan of their completely renovated condo in Las Vegas. His finger trailed over the petals of the many flowers already in place. Only two people had contributed, and though they didn’t collaborate, both Duke Dravyn D’Vairedraconis and Killian the Dwyer had chosen black-and-white blossoms.
“What do you think?” Chrysander asked from the doorway.
“It’s beautiful. How did you get Killian the Dwyer to provide things for it?”
“Saura and Chand arranged for them. They’ve been exchanging notes with him, trying to get him to leave the tree he calls home and rejoin his life as part of the ruling family of the Circle of Druids. So far, no dice.”
“If these flowers are anything to go by, he’s very gifted.”
“Absolutely.”
Chrysander strolled into the room and once he was close, Ellery laid his head on his chest and wrapped his arms around him. His dragon held him tight and they both enjoyed the heady fragrance of the myriad of plants. The solarium was placed in the corner of the first floor of the condo and three of the walls were glass, giving Ellery a stunning view of the bright Las Vegas skyline as well as the living room where the rest of their family was gathered. They were chatting over their morning coffee as they prepared to return to the Main Assembly Hall en masse for the first time in a year.
“I hope this feels like home,” Chrysander whispered after several minutes.
Ellery pulled away to meet Chrysander’s eyes. “It does…I am just trying to adjust to the quiet.”
“There’s certainly a lot less going on around here than at D’Vaire.”
“I am almost glad to have the excuse to visit often.”
