“I have a rich, full life and no time to think of him anymore. Everything around me has changed and I see things differently, but I hope it is him. I have questions for him. Ones I think I deserve to get the answers to. He was afraid because I was a hybrid? How did he think my mother felt? He never even told her that dragon mixes do not live. She and I were clueless that at one hundred years old, there was a real possibility my dragon was going to tear me apart.”
“That was very mean of him,” Tiri commented. “He sounds awful, but I hope he’s nice to Debra.”
Costas leaned against the wall and his eyes narrowed. “He knew where to find you. Your tribe never moved. Is he only contacting you now because you’re Emperor?”
Damian ended his phone call with King Starndraconis. “His Highness was extremely apologetic about Harry. He had no idea one of his dragons had ever been in contact with any of the elven tribes in neighboring states. George says he not only gives permission to have Harry’s DNA added, he’s going to make it an order if he balks. The last thing George wants to do is upset ‘Their Majesties.’ ”
“I hope you assured him that Ell and I don’t blame him.”
“Of course, he just kept saying he was sorry over and over. I felt bad for the guy.”
“How many people’s feelings did Harry disregard when he chose to do what he did?” Ellery demanded, though his family wouldn’t have the answer. He stood and Chrysander didn’t give him a chance to take a single step away. Chrysander pulled him close, and Ellery appreciated the giant hands sweeping over his back to comfort.
“Tiri, help me out here. What kind of word can I use to describe Harry since I can’t use curse words?” Damian asked.
“Dra’Kaedan doesn’t believe butthead is a bad word.”
“If the Grand Warlock says it, it must be true,” Costas teased.
“Fine,” Damian said. “I can’t promise I’m not going to punch this butthead in the face if we wind up meeting with him.”
“Get in line,” Chrysander retorted.
“I say we get Dra’Kaedan to put boils on his butt,” Tiri suggested.
“What an evil little sprite you are,” Zane joked as he took Tiri’s jaw into his hands to drop a kiss on his lips.
“I just want to know if it is the correct Harry before I start planning my list of questions. I need to know it is my father, then I will figure out the right thing to do. It was brave of Debra to call, and I feel bad for her, that she is stuck in this situation, but I did not create it, so I refuse to apologize for it.”
“We’ll follow your lead. Once we hear from Vadimas about the blood tests, we can discuss it,” Chrysander said. Ellery hoped it wouldn’t take too long for Prism Wizard Porfyra to arrange for and get Harry’s blood so it could be tested. He’d already waited a century to find his father, and there was a part of him determined to tell Harry exactly what madness he’d brewed inside of Aynleth. It was something he would never forget and seriously doubted he could forgive.
Chapter 5
Tiri stared hard in the mirror, trying to make sure he looked perfect. The man he loved was going to be honored with his new title, and Tiri wanted to be sure he didn’t embarrass Zane in any way. As the soon-to-be Ducblanc-mate, Tiri created a cloak in Ellery’s gorgeous white dragonskin, embellishing it with the black of Zane’s dragon, his own signature color of teal, and the gold that represented their royal family. Tiri thought it went beautifully with his hair and was glad he’d worked so hard on it.
“Are you attending the ceremony today?” Zane asked as he walked into the bathroom adjoining their bedroom suite where Tiri was studying himself.
Swinging around to face his dragon, Tiri frowned. “Of course, where else would I be on such an important day?”
Zane shrugged. “I don’t know, I just assumed you were skipping it to stare at yourself.”
“I think you’re teasing me.”
“Of course I am. You look stunning, by the way. That cloak suits you.”
Tiri preened a little, proud that Zane thought him attractive. “I’ve never seen you in a tie before.”
“Yeah, Damian and I swore them off a few centuries ago, but it seemed appropriate for today. We should head downstairs to the throne room.”
Leaning up on the tips of his toes, Tiri welcomed a kiss. “I just need my crown.”
“Nope, leave it here. We’re getting our new ones downstairs during the ceremony as well as rings of ranks.”
“Okay.” Tiri slid off the gold ring on his right hand and dropped it on the dresser as they passed through their bedroom to the hall.
Damian was waiting for them at the front door, and he handed them both new sashes that showcased Ellery’s and Chrysander’s dragonskin with DRACONIS written in gold across the flat twist of colors. “Take these. We don’t have enough for the entire court yet, but we thought the royal family should have them for today.”
With Zane’s help, Tiri pulled off his cloak and his old single-color sash. He replaced it and put his cloak back on, then turned to find Chrysander and Ellery walking toward them.
