Page 40 of Becoming D'Vaire
“It’s a little early to discuss living arrangements. We just met.”
“Yeah, but you’ll be upset if you don’t know,” Idris insisted. His best friend understood him too well to get that kind of assumption incorrect.
“It’s had to cross his mind as well. I’m sure it won’t be totally out of the dark for him. You guys have been talking constantly since he missed your first date, I know you feel comfortable around him,” Carter said.
“Yeah, he’s great to talk to.”
“Then ask him about it,” Idris encouraged.
“Maybe.”
Idris narrowed his eyes in annoyance. “Which means you won’t.”
“It’s too early. Don’t yell at me, Idris the Indigo. We should be discussing how to fix our Carvallius problem, not worrying over where Grigori and I will live if—whenwe have our matebond ceremony.”
“I don’t like it when you deflect your concerns away and pretend like you aren’t anxious over something,” Idris complained.
“It’s foolish to be agonizing over something that far in the future.”
“You don’t know if it’s that far in the future,” Idris retorted.
“Mac doesn’t ever win an argument, does he?”
“I’m very easy to get along with. I’m nice and I smile a lot.”
“I love you so hard.”
“Since we know Del’s stubborn as fuck, I suggest we move on to getting some actual work done,” Carter suggested. “Let the record show that Idris and I both agree you should discuss your concerns with your sexy vampire mate.”
“You should’ve seen the picture he sent me last night. Fate help me, nothing but a towel and a grin.”
“Forget work, show me,” Carter demanded. Delaney laughed and steered the conversation back to Council duties and magical studies. He didn’t mind bragging a bit about Grigori, but he wasn’t going to share his mostly naked self with anyone. Another thing he was not going to do was discuss the future with Grigori. They were in the infant stages of their relationship despite his growing feelings for the vampire.
He enjoyed their time together, and in a rapid manner for someone who was nowhere close to an open book found himself confessing nearly everything—but living together was a major milestone. It was not the right time to begin what could be a tense negotiation. Delaney would not be selfish enough to insist Grigori come to D’Vaire no matter what, but a part of his soul screamed in agony over the idea of leaving.
Becoming a D’Vaire altered everything about Delaney—there was no love before he walked through Aleksander’s door. There was Vadimas’s friendship and the goal of reaching High Arcanist, but the rest of him was empty—yearning for something he was not even sure existed. Being accepted into Dra’Kaedan’s Coven opened his heart, and he’d grown into a man under King D’Vaire’s roof. Of all the things he’d accomplished in life, being the first candidate into the sanctuary was his proudest feat.
Being part of the tremendous family at D’Vaire changed him more than his titles, his degrees, or his magic. To give it up would be surrendering a chunk of himself, and he wasn’t sure he could recover from that loss.Fate, what have you done to me?he asked with sadness that permeated from the center of him. He liked Grigori and was growing increasingly grateful for Fate’s gift, but at what cost would it come to be mated? Delaney wasn’t sure he could pay it and he didn’t want to resent Grigori for something far beyond his control. It left him with little idea of what to do.
Chapter 14
“Well, hello there, Greggory,” he greeted the little dragon who launched himself toward Grigori as soon as he arrived in Delaney’s bedroom. He petted the slick scales; then Greggory flew up and landed on his shoulder. Not content to stop there, he started butting his head into Grigori’s. “Calm down, I’m not going anywhere.” His words seemed to have soothed him, because he let out a little growl and made himself comfortable by lying down. It gave Grigori the opportunity to finally give his attention to the wizard he’d waited all day to be with but when their eyes met, Grigori didn’t like what he found in his dark depths.
“I guess he’s missed you since you met,” Delaney said with what Grigori considered a forced smile.
“You okay?” he asked softly.
“Sure, I’m fine.”
Cautiously, he took a step forward. Grigori didn’t want to dislodge the dragon on his shoulder, but he needed to be closer to his wizard. Greggory hadn’t budged, so he guessed the little guy would figure out a way to stay perched. “Your eyes say different.”
“You sure you know me well enough to determine that?”
“I bet even someone who’d just met you could figure out that you’re upset. Those beautiful eyes of yours give all your secrets away.”
One corner of Delaney’s mouth perked up. “I don’t think anyone’s ever called them beautiful before. I know it creeps people out that you can’t really tell where my pupils are. It used to be a little easier but now that I’m High Arcanist, it’s nearly impossible.”
“I know, that’s the coolest part about them. They’re bewitching. I did mention I want to drown in them. I want to surrender to the endless void and let you capture me forever.”
