“Only almost?”
The corner of Ellery’s mouth lifted. “Well, I would prefer to choose my own calendar instead of being forced to spend one day a month being infused with potions. I find I do not like bowing to my dragon.”
“I understand. Are you ready to face what is sure to be a swarm of photographers?”
Ellery lifted his chin as Chrysander released him and took his hand. “With you at my side, I can handle anything.”
“I think it’s actually the other way around,” Chrysander replied as he led Ellery out of the solarium. His mate took Ellery’s crown from Zane’s grasp and carefully placed it on his head, careful not to snag any of the gold beads in his two-toned hair. Then Zane handed Ellery a magnificent cloak in Ellery’s and Chrysander’s dragonskins lavishly beaded by Tiri and Elven D’Vaire. He slipped his daggers into the specially made holsters inside, so they would be close at hand. Though his schedule was about to get busier, Ellery had been given an invitation by Alaric to train with the Sentinel Brotherhood whenever he had time. That was something he intended to take advantage of and would head over to the training rooms at their complex every chance he got.
“Let’s move out,” Damian said. They followed the Imperial Duke to the car waiting downstairs. As the limo pulled away from the curb to make the short trip to Council Headquarters, Ellery was reminded of his first trip to sit at Chrysander’s side in the Main Assembly Hall. He’d been full of nerves and wondering why Fate thought he was prepared to handle not only his job but his matebond.
None of those feelings were in his mind this time around. Chrysander was his life, and he was confident that together they would continue to build upon everything the dragon at his side had set in motion over the centuries. The vehicle came to a stop, and all Ellery saw as he walked toward his destination were the bright lights of the cameras flashing. Questions were fired at them, but there were too many voices to discern the actual words.
Once they were inside, Venerable Knight Arvandus Ruarc-Daray noticed them immediately. He vaulted himself up onto a table and whistled loudly. The entire space full of Council leaders and fallen knights quieted. “Ladies and gentlemen let’s give Their Majesties a warm welcome back to the Council,” he shouted.
“No way, Venerable Knight, I’ve hardly missed a day. It’s Emperor Ellery we should be applauding for,” Chrysander called out.
Arvandus bowed elegantly. “I stand corrected, Your Majesty. What are you waiting for? Get those hands together,” he ordered. Not only did people follow his directions but there were also shouts of encouragement.
Thank you, Ellery mouthed to Arvandus over the noise as Damian and their dukes steered them through the crowd. They wound up at the next security checkpoint, which was manned by dragons, and they clapped loudly for him as well.
Chrysander gave him a wink as Ellery held back tears, moved by their praise as they each offered kind words that melted his heart. Once they passed it, they walked briskly down the long hallway which led them to their vestibule and alcove. Damian unlocked it, and the first thing Ellery noticed was the almost soup-bowl-sized coffee mug with Elf scrawled on the side in gold cursive.
“I’ll make the coffee,” Zane said as Ellery helped himself to the giant plate of fruit.
“As long as it’s not Chrys, I won’t complain,” Damian remarked.
“I know how to make coffee.”
“There’s a difference between knowing the mechanics and brewing something that tastes delicious. No matter what you do, your coffee is always gross,” Damian retorted.
In almost no time, Ellery was sipping the rich beverage he still loved despite Wesley’s potion. Damian sauntered out into the vestibule as he always did to check for danger.
“We have close to ninety-five percent of Council leaders waiting on you both,” Damian informed them.
Chrysander lifted a brow. “We rarely get that high and certainly not on a Monday morning. I guess everyone’s anxious to welcome Ell back.”
“And get a close-up look at him,” Costas added.
Ellery was used to his new face and skin. He understood how he stood out, but he could deal without everyone fussing over it.
“Ready?” Chrysander asked as he held out a hand to Ellery.
“I am.”
Mug still in hand, Ellery followed Chrysander into the alcove, and it took only seconds for the other men and women to notice them. Within moments, the ground beneath Ellery’s feet vibrated with the thunderous noise. He closed his eyes and let it ripple into his blood. Fate chose him to help dragons and now the entire Council of Sorcery and Shifters. Ellery refused to let anyone down.
He had no idea how many minutes passed as the leaders cheered, but eventually Chrysander gestured in the direction of their chairs, and they were seated. Ellery waited for his mate to start Council session but Chrysander just stared at him.
Me?he mouthed at him. Chrysander nodded.
Ellery angled his microphone toward his mouth. “Ladies and gentlemen, please have a seat. I would like to thank each one of you, not only for the incredibly warm welcome, but for everything you have done to support His Majesty and me throughout this past year. We could not have come this far without you. I would also like to offer my gratitude to the men and woman who make up the group Sorcery D’Vaire. Without them I would still be sitting in dragon form in King D’Vairedraconis’s backyard. I would like to begin this morning with three petitions I believe should be considered together. There are three elven tribes—the Indrenakas, the Sae’Varis, and the Mystamre—who would like to join our fine Council. They are united in that if one tribe is not approved, then the other two will reject our invitation. I believe we should vote once for all three. We will begin with questions. Their petitions are cosponsored by the Office of the Emperor and the Valzadari elven tribe, and I will answer on their behalf.”
“Well done,” Chrysander whispered close to his ear. His breath danced over Ellery’s two mating hoops, and he didn’t even try to conceal his shudder. The hot look Chrysander gave him made it clear he’d noticed Ellery’s reaction.
“Your Majesties, I find it most unusual that we’d have to consider three tribes as a group. Should they join the Council, it would give them an automatic advantage with a voting bloc,” the chieftain of the Tristis elves complained.
“Chieftain, these men are united in their desire to join our Council, but each leader will move forward, doing the best for his tribe. There is no reason to believe they will always vote together,” Ellery replied.
