“He didn’t know Orlami and Zurenzi were mates, and he’s allowed his Faedrekan complete freedom at D’Vaire.”
“They need that here.”
“So, discuss it with him, but don’t let your old frustrations seep into your conversation.”
Rorie lifted his head and surprised Renny with a quick kiss on the corner of his mouth, making his heart flutter. “It is good to have an understanding v’airsell nioll. I am glad to have your counsel.”
“I’m here for you, Rorie.”
“I wish to be here for you too, Renny.”
“Thank you for the kiss.”
“I would like to do it again.”
Renny met him halfway in a quick peck and reminded himself not to get carried away. It wasn’t the time or the place. “Let’s go find Drekkoril and give him some words of encouragement for surviving that meeting with the sioskallos.”
“They are not all bad, but trapped in a room with so many must be trying.”
As the people below shuffled out, Renny rose and reached for Rorie’s hand. They were in the dream together, and Renny was prepared to support his mate. It was a goal of his to help Rorie mend his relationship with Drekkoril. As fairy and bemollo, they were bound for eternity, and Renny wanted them to share the deep love that existed between him and Dra’Kaedan.
Chapter 11
“Iexpected Drekkoril to argue about making a home for Orlami and Zurenzi at the castle,” Rorie commented, picking up a basket left for him on the table by a servant. To his chagrin, Renny tugged it from his grasp.
“He gave them almost exactly what they have at D’Vaire,” Renny responded with a grin. It was such a pleasant expression on his handsome face that Rorie decided against arguing about who would carry their lunch. Instead, he slipped his hand into Renny’s palm and led them outside.
“The sioskallos are not happy, but our Noble Protector is not vexed by their displeasure.”
“Drekkoril is not easily intimidated.”
“You believe Bétea chose well?” Rorie asked. They walked down a set of stairs that would lead them out of the gates and into the city of Sindrell, and he was showing Renny his world. When the sky above them darkened briefly, he lifted his head to laugh at the two Faedrekan who appeared to be joining them on their excursion.
“From what I’ve seen of his ability to rule so far, I would have to answer yes.”
“He does not think I appreciate that he is Noble Protector, but I have no argument with his competence. I simply do not feel you can have only the view of bemollos in a place where there are fairies too.”
“That makes sense,” Renny remarked. After they left the castle grounds, Rorie led him over the walkway of intricately laid pale stones that gleamed silver and white, thanks to the magic of his ancestors. “We have a Grand Warlock to focus on warlocks and a Grand Summoner whose purpose was traditionally to work on behalf of familiars. Now that there are so few of us, my brother and his twin share duties.”
“What happened to your people?”
Renny’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “There was a war. A dark warlock named Carvallius betrayed us. He tricked a tribe of elves called the Cwylld into attacking.”
“Cwylld? But they are in your family, are they not?”
“The children of those evil chieftains are. Cadlyr ended the lives of his parents after thousands of years of being forced to do their bidding. His folks were only happy if they were destroying something. For centuries, the world believed all warlocks were dead. Thankfully, Dra’Kaedan and Dre’Kariston survived. And we’ve found a few others hiding or imprisoned. In time, we hope to find any others scattered around the world.”
Leading Renny across a nearly translucent bridge with gleaming handrails in a mixture of blue and pink to honor the sky and grass, Rorie frowned. He did not like knowing that his v’airsell nioll’s people had been so cruelly cut down. “I am sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks, Rorie. I wish I could do this dream thing and go back to see what warlock culture was like when T’Eirick and Saura ruled. It wasn’t until centuries later that Dra’Kaedan finally received his title.”
Rorie appreciated that Renny was so focused on taking in the beautiful landscape of pastel and brightly colored homes as they made their way through the busiest part of town that he barely glanced in his direction. Each fairy or bemollo decorated their dwelling based on the color given to them at birth on their skin and in their hair, and it was glorious to Rorie. In his heart, he wanted Renny to be enchanted with the Fae realm. Someday they would live there, at least in part, though Rorie did not bother thinking on it for long. Bétea would decide where they were meant to be, and it was not his role to question her wisdom.
As they made it past the structures, they were amongst enormous gray trees taller than Rorie’s castle, and the Faedrekan were still flying above them. They found a clearing that Renny thought would suit their afternoon meal, and Rorie gave in to his impulse to lay a soft kiss on his lips. Afterward, he released him and ran to Orlami, hopping onto his back in one smooth jump. His laughter flowed out as the beast flew high up, then rocketed toward the ground. With no fear of being hurt, Rorie held him lightly as Orlami rolled over in a full circle above Renny’s head.
When Orlami tired and settled to the ground, and once he was no longer riding him, Rorie petted him. “Thank you for a wonderful ride.”
“Do you realize that I nearly had a heart attack?” Renny asked.
