Page 117 of Becoming D'Vaire
Saura gazed at T’Eirick, and there was a mixture of emotions in his eyes. “Are you all right?”
“You didn’t even give me a chance to take one of them down.”
Laughing, Saura kissed the man who owned her heart. “I suggest, Lichpriest, you move faster next time if you wish to get in on the action.”
“I’m just glad it’s over. It’s finally done, and we can move on,” T’Eirick responded. Saura agreed; the future belonged to them. They’d make sure no one forgot the crimes the Mallents committed, but they were no longer able to hurt anyone. It was a relief to every D’Vaire—those that called the mansion home and the others like the Reverent Knights who shared their bond. Saura was incredibly grateful to be among her family, and she would protect them with every ounce of her undead being. She sheathed her sword a second time, then stepped out into the hall, leaving Carvallius and Latarian buried in the past.
Chapter 42
“Going somewhere?” Worth asked.
Aleksander nodded at his middle brother and stretched out his back. He’d sat for too long in his chair. “My presence was requested in the Duke’s Den.”
“There are so many secret cool club meetings in this house. Maybe I should become a spy. Off with you, Your Highness.”
“You only call me that to annoy me,” Aleksander complained as he strode out of his office.
“And when it stops working, I’ll quit.”
He flipped Worth the bird, and his brother chuckled as he turned into the hallway. The last few days around the D’Vaire household had been full of activity. After Carvallius and Latarian died, Chander shadow walked with T’Eirick to make sure their plan was carried out. They reported that Carvil was all smiles as he explained that they had no problem holding the pair down and shoving the stones into them. The familiar was grateful that the two died so soon after each other, so they could all return to their otherworldly homes.
To make sure their theory was correct that the Cwylld stones prevented the pair from leaving their side of the veil, Chander used a resurrection spell he could abort before the end and found himself unable to complete it. As the most powerful necromancer alive, it meant everything they’d worked toward was a success. Everyone was thrilled and relieved.
The Duke’s Den was right across from his office, so it was only seconds after leaving Worth that he opened the door and strolled inside. Sitting at a round table were three dragons disguised as men and a tiny indigo one complete with wings doing some sort of strange growling from where he rested on Mac’s shoulder.
“What’s wrong with Roger?” Aleksander asked as he grabbed a seat.
“Believe it or not, I think he’s trying to sing. He’s been doing it since the funerals for T’Eirick and Saura. I guess he was inspired by all the sorcerers.”
“I hate to tell you this Roger, but you’re tone-deaf,” Brogan said.
Roger made a rougher, guttural sound. “I’m pretty sure he just told you to fuck off,” Dravyn remarked.
Mac reached up and gave Roger a pat. “Okay, practice your songs later, buddy. I need to talk to Aleksander.”
“What’s up?”
“First, I want to apologize again for failing to keep Del safe that night at the club. You entrusted me with his safety, and I didn’t protect him.”
Aleksander was annoyed and a host of other aggravated emotions at his newest duke’s words. He needed a moment or two to calm down, or he was going to shout a bunch of expletives. It was rare for Aleksander to lose his temper, but Mac had driven him crazy with apologies for weeks now. Blame hadn’t entered his mind, and he did not want Mac feeling guilty.
Brogan—his best friend since they were teenagers—read his facial expression perfectly. “Mac, I told you to drop that shit. You’re the Dark Indigo Duke and you were doing your job. It’s not your fault Duff lured Del outside, and even though we insist on protecting them, he’s a powerful guy. He handled the situation perfectly, and you got there as quickly as you could.”
“I should’ve brought at least one other person with me to guard the guys. Then Del wouldn’t have been alone with those fuckers.”
“Mac, for your own sanity and everyone else’s, you need to let it go. What does Idris think?” Dravyn asked.
Mac’s lips thinned. “He gets pissed whenever I bring it up.”
“Your mate’s a smart man,” Aleksander stated. “Listen to him.”
“Fine, I’ll let it go.”
“Thank Fate,” Brogan replied with a roll of his eyes.
“So, why are we having a meeting in here? Because I know Dray and Brogan didn’t agree to drag me in here so you could give me another unnecessary apology,” Aleksander inquired.
“I wanted to talk to you without Worth around. He’s in your office most of the time,” Mac said.
