“Good to know. Let’s do this,” Rafe answered. “Ladies and gentlemen, Sander and I are immensely pleased to be up here today, ready to help these two special people unite their souls for eternity. Without one dream, none of us would appreciate the vast differences between our world and Protector Roriethiel D’Vaire of the Fae’s realm. It would be a failure on my part not to express the immense grief we feel for the loss of his home, but the saving grace is that we have him and his bemollo with us. As a fairy, Rorie is quick to tell us of his impulsive, rash nature. But what I’ve learned is that he’s a guy dedicated to loving his v’airsell nioll and who struggled to help right wrongs even in the gravest of circumstances. His future is full of promise, and it fills us with pride that we’re lucky enough to get to add him to this family. In the years ahead, we will have the pleasure of watching the love continue to bloom between him and his mate.”
“Fourteen years ago, Grand Warlock Familiar Renny D’Vaire joined our family when his summoner cast a spell long overdue, thanks to the misdeeds of those we prefer not to mention. Since the moment he could have a voice, Renny has made it his mission to help others, and that goes beyond our family. He devotes his time to the two sanctuaries affiliated with the D’Vaires. Quick to champion any worthy cause, Renny aids Rafe in every project he begins, and it is impossible to think of our home without him. There was only one thing missing in his life, and we’re happy that Fate has matched him so perfectly with Rorie,” Aleksander said.
“Although Rorie has had the title of Protector of the Fae for approximately fifteen thousand years, he is adopting the new custom of wearing a ring of rank. Renny is also nobility and has asked that the one he’s worn since he was summoned be redesigned to honor his race and Rorie’s,” Rafe stated.
Dra’Kaedan’s cousin, Klodjana, handed them two gold signet rings. Renny’s bore Dra’Kaedan’s mark from Fate combined with D’Vaire lilies, and the shanks were decorated with the gorgeous navy scrollwork that painted Rorie’s skin. As for the Protector of the Fae, Drekkoril had chosen the castle they once called home to represent them, along with the same flowers Killian and Dravyn had designed for their family. After they were both wearing their new pieces of jewelry, they received hugs from Klodjana.
“Warlocks throughout many millennia have provided their leaders with staffs. Renny’s has been modified to showcase his new dragon form, and a duplicate one has been made for Rorie,” Aleksander commented as Wullem and Leopold strode over with the staffs. Since it was impossible for Renny and Rorie to hold them during the ceremony, they took them from the warlock, and his familiar and used magic to keep them floating on either side of the wolves that flanked their High Kings.
“It is the custom of the Fae to provide gifts upon the unification of two v’airsell niolls. Instead of using magic, Noble Protector Drekkoril D’Vaire of the Fae has asked Madeline D’Vaire to fashion a masterpiece for the pair,” Rafe remarked. Madeline joined them with an intricate box that opened to reveal a stunning magic wand made of metal that was a replica of the staffs they’d just obtained. After hugging her and offering her their gratitude, they located Rorie’s bemollo in the crowd.
“Our thanks, Noble Protector,” Rorie whispered.
“Finest wishes and much joy to your union,” Drekkoril responded with a smile.
“In the tradition of D’Vaire and elven ceremonies, His Majesty, Emperor Ellery Draconis, and Chieftess Bryjelni Tisidal-D’Vaire will offer floral wreaths designed by Killian the Dwyer and Drindyr Duke Dravyn D’Vairedraconis,” Aleksander stated. Renny thanked the pair as they laid the navy and gold flowers on their heads.
“Gentlemen, please raise your left hands,” Rafe instructed.
Renny winked at Rorie as Drekkoril and Dra’Kaedan joined them. With a quick motion, Drekkoril cut Rorie’s hand with an athame that was almost entirely navy—even the blade—and decorated with glittering gold accents. Dra’Kaedan was handed the dagger and did the same for Renny. Their palms touched, and Renny stared into Rorie’s eyes as their souls met and wrapped snugly around each other.
“Most beautiful,” Rorie murmured.
“Fairy to warlock familiar. Protector to Grand Warlock Familiar. Their souls are now tied, and their lives now linked. May their hearts always stay united, so they will never want another,” Aleksander said.
“Dragons claim their mates with a bite that leaves no mark. Centuries ago, a draconic tradition began of exchanging rings,” Rafe stated. “Renny and Rorie have elected to adopt this practice and will now exchange bands to allow the world to bear witness to their joining.”
Dre’Kariston and Lucian gave them the two bands Madeline had designed for the pair. The edges and underside were D’Vaire blue-black, and the rest were navy scales with a thick band of nearly transparent glittery gold through the center.
“Chosen by both Fate and Bétea and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate,” Renny told Rorie, pushing the ring onto his finger.
“Chosen by both Fate and Bétea and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate,” Rorie repeated, sliding on Renny’s band.
“In an ancient tradition of the Vampyr Clutch and adopted by D’Vaire, Lichpriestess Saura D’Vaire and Lichpriest T’Eirick D’Vaire will now assist with the attachment of collars, or necklaces as they are commonly referred to outside vampire circles, designed specifically for the Protector and Grand Warlock Familiar. While they will not use the words sacred to the Vampyr Clutch, each chain with its blood lock will show the world they are committed to only each other,” Aleksander stated.
The former warlocks joined them with two necklaces that bore the D’Vaire crest. Dra’Kaedan handed the athame to his parents, and Saura and T’Eirick cut Renny and Rorie so they could close the blood locks.
“By the tradition of the Draconis High Court of D’Vaire, you are now mates and v’airsell niolls. You’ve honored everyone present by allowing us to bear witness to your joining,” Rafe proclaimed.
Renny peeled off his cloak, and he handed it off to Brogan while Rorie gave his to Somerly. Scheredin and his familiar, Brexton, cut them for the third time, and they once again pressed their palms together.
“Fairy to warlock familiar. Protector to Grand Warlock Familiar. Our blood has spilled, and our spirits have bonded. We ask Fate to grant us a mark from left shoulder to elbow so the world may bear witness we belong only to each other,” Renny said. A fiery burn worked its way over his arm that left behind an image of both Rorie and Orlami in its wake. On Rorie’s skin was Renny’s visage. The scrollwork appeared to have slipped away under the mark, leaving it unhindered, and at the feet of his image was his new dragon form.
Tugging Rorie into his embrace, Renny addressed the crowd. “Thank you, everyone, for being here today to celebrate with Rorie and me. We appreciate everything you’ve done for us and now, let’s have a party!”
“Withcake,” Dra’Kaedan cheered, and Renny rolled his eyes moments before Rorie thoroughly kissed him.
Chapter 33
Excited to finally be united with Renny, Rorie had wasted no time changing into a onesie Larissa had fashioned for the day. The fabric was a lovely cream that had a replica of their mating bands intertwined decorating it. Dra’Kaedan had supplied the fabric, and Rorie was grateful for the gift. Zipping it up, he hoped Renny appreciated that he had nothing under it when they were alone later.
Emerging from the bathroom, Renny was fastening his jeans, and Rorie had to remind himself that he must wait a few hours to have his dick. “I have thoughts of tackling you to our bed.”
“On that note, let’s head outside.”
Rorie walked up to him, kissed him, and was rewarded with a hug. “If it were possible to have relations without anyone seeing you naked, I might suggest we not wait the entirety of the party to come together.”
“I don’t know how to break this to you, but we could probably manage somehow to do it with our clothes on,” Renny teased. “Everyone would know what was going on, though, because I’m pretty sure we’d fail to be quiet.”
