Their lips met again, and Chrysander was overwhelmed by the feelings inside him. No one had ever or would ever impact his life like Ellery. He’d always understood that meeting his other half would change him, but he couldn’t have known just what kind of journey they would traverse together. Fate had given him a man so honorable and remarkable, no one deserved him, but Chrysander was going to make damn sure he was happy. And someday he’d be cured, finally giving them both the freedom to put Wesley’s treachery behind them.
* * *
“Are you nervous?” Chrysander asked as he waited alongside Ellery just offstage.
Ellery was resplendent in full elven attire with the crown on his head gleaming. “No, why?”
“You’re tapping your foot.”
“Am I?” Ellery asked. He looked down, and they both watched one sandaled foot hit the floor. “I am not nervous, I just want them to get on with this. We have been standing here for twenty minutes at least.”
“If they were dragons, they’d have this running on time.”
“Elves are usually punctual.”
“Apparently not today.”
Chrysander was still grinning at a piqued Ellery when Chieftain Kalthekor Valzadari went up to the podium.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you are enjoying this year’s elven festival,” Kalthekor said. He was rewarded with resounding cheers from the thousands of people at the gathering. “I wanted to thank you for making our three newest Council of Sorcery and Shifters tribes, the Indrenakas, Sae’Varis, and Mystamre so welcome at their first get-together.”
Much to Ellery’s delight, the three tribes of varying colors had been nothing but a hit to all attendees for the entire weekend. Chrysander hoped it meant more tribes would join, and they could offer more people prosperity.
“I know that like me you are saddened to bring this year’s festival to a close, but we have one more important speaker for you this weekend. Please join me in a round of applause for His Majesty, Emperor Ellery Draconis, formerly of the Fen-Lynthi tribe.”
Chrysander winked at Ellery and was gifted a simple kiss as his mate walked out onto the stage to cheers and applause.
“Thank you, Chieftain Valzadari. It means a great deal to have been introduced by a man who spends each day dedicated to not only his tribe but to all elvenkind and the entire Council of Sorcery and Shifters,” Ellery said. The crowd clapped loudly for Kalthekor as he exited, which pleased Ellery as his reputation had suffered in recent years through no fault of his own.
“I was honored when I was asked to speak with you today. This is my first elven gathering, but I can guarantee you it will not be my last. Though I am the only one of Elvish blood in my family, each person we encountered this weekend has been nothing but kind and welcoming. Each of you has done a remarkable job of representing your tribe and all elves. I will admit I had concerns. Our people have not always had the best track record for being accepting, and I was nervous—not for myself, but for the three new tribes amongst us.
“What I have learned is that attitudes can change, and it can be a rapid switch if our minds and hearts are open to it. Each one of you has a thing or two to teach everyone who inhabits this planet about what it means to not see color but rather the merit of a person. Looking toward the future, I see more tribes being embraced by the warmth of the wonderful people in front of me right now. As your emperor, I vow to you I will make sure there is no race or species in our Council who cannot raise themselves to the standard you have set this weekend. We are in this together, and if we stay united, we march into the future stronger. If we judge only by the value of a soul, we flourish. I would ask you now to give yourself a round of applause for a fantastic weekend and for the giant leaps you have taken for elvenkind over the past forty-eight hours or so.”
Clamoring applause met Ellery’s request, and Chrysander loved the bright smile he wore on his face.
“Before I let you enjoy the few hours we all have left together, I want to tell you that once I would have done anything to be a dragon. To me, being an elf was the worst thing I could think of. It took a nefarious potion to remind me how wonderful it is to be one of us, but even though I was being attacked by a dragon, I was not angry at the beast. I am both elf and dragon. Our Council is like me—a rich mix of races that given the right balance can prosper together. Be proud to be an elf, but remember that you are superior to none. We—each of us formed by Fate—are equal. Thank you, and I hope to see you all again soon.”
When Ellery was finished speaking, he stepped away from the microphone and clapped for the elves in front of him. Then his grin met Chrysander’s, and he walked straight into his arms.
“Well done, Ell.”
“Thank you for being an elf for a weekend.”
“I sleep with one, I figured it was the least I could do,” Chrysander teased as he rubbed his back.
“Come along, Your Majesty. We need to go find where the rest of the D’Vaire elves have disappeared to.”
Chrysander took his hand and willingly went to search for their family. The truth was, there wasn’t a damn thing on this planet he wouldn’t do for the man at his side.
Chapter 43
Ellery reached up and straightened Chrysander’s tie as they waited for the attendees of their meeting to arrive. “I am glad you liked my idea.”
“It’s an incredible solution to our problem, and it’ll bring us closer as a Council,” Chrysander replied with the warm smile that always made Ellery’s heart melt with love for his dragon.
“I sincerely hope so.”
Chrysander leaned down slightly and pressed their lips together. It was a brief kiss, but that didn’t make it any less sweet.
