Page 62 of Becoming D'Vaire
“I’m biased, but I think he’s great too. Still very quiet but he’s slowly coming out of his shell. I think he’s naturally shy, and all those centuries of hiding have only made him turn more inward, but he’s definitely a D’Vaire. Leopold has become very close to him and while bashful, he’s been a terrific addition to our home as well,” Dra’Kaedan said. Idris tallied up the raised arms as Wullem and Leopold were granted eternal life.
“I have one left I’d like us to consider: Carter. I know he’s young, but he’s committed to our family,” Idris stated.
“My brother’s definitely not going anywhere. He’s become entranced by the idea of working with wizards and magic,” Mac added. “And I don’t think you’d get him out of D’Vaire with a sledgehammer to the face. He’s even become good friends with a young dragon training apprentice named Jeremiah who’s been helping him recognize the signs of the beast he can barely feel. Jeremiah’s unshifted as well, but he’s much closer to losing his drakeling status.”
When the vote was cast, and Carter was added to the small list of people who were about to have their mind blown by learning of an immortality spell they all kept private, Aleksander said, “As you all know, I hate secrets in my household. With your additions today, it means we’re left now with only a single D’Vaire who lacks immortality and hasn’t been granted Idris’s potion.”
“I apologize, Aleksander, but I simply cannot recommend Duff,” Idris responded. “I don’t want to be mean or single him out. However, I still have reservations about his commitment to D’Vaire. It’s imperative this potion remain a secret to the public. It was very difficult to create, and there simply isn’t enough to spread around to all shifters and magickind. Since his arrival, his behavior has been somewhat erratic.”
“I know he’s caused some trouble, but I did point out to Del that at eighteen he’s probably still discovering himself. He’s trying new things and seeing what fits. That may account for some of the erratic behavior you mentioned,” Grigori remarked.
“I agree with you. His sexuality’s a perfect example, as is his desire to hang out with other young people who are in the same stage of life and exploration,” Aleksander commented.
“I think he should experiment. I also think he should take advantage of every new opportunity that comes his way. He’s young and should revel in it but the reality is, we’re talking eternity here. Duff’s a kid whose main goal is to go out and have fun. He’s not ready for this kind of commitment, and we don’t know if he can keep our secret,” Dra’Kaedan said.
“Everyone knows there’s no love lost between us, but I’ve got a feeling D’Vaire’s not his destiny,” Delaney added. Something told him Duff’s path would lead him from their court.Or maybe it’s just wishful thinking, a nasty part of his brain shouted.
“I have no other people to recommend,” Idris stated unequivocally, calling an end to the discussion as well as their meeting.
“Come on, darkfallen. Let’s go see what Larissa can come up with for your fancy Council clothes and eveningwear,” Dra’Kaedan coaxed.
“Speaking of which, when are we going to tell the Emperor about our little plan?” Aleksander asked as he stood.
“Sometimes it’s easier to say sorry than ask for permission. We’ll tell Chrys when Saura and T’Eirick are back,” Chander said. “Unless, as his king, you feel you need to tattle.”
Aleksander chuckled. “No, I’m good. I can’t imagine him being upset. T’Eirick and Saura created the damn Council.”
Delaney turned from their conversation to Grigori, who was staring off in the distance. There was no emotion to be found in his faintly azure gaze. “You all right?”
Grigori swiveled his head slowly and though he smiled, it was off somehow to Delaney. “I’m fine. Just thinking. Numbers and letters in juxtaposition with different mathematical symbols. The usual places my brain goes.”
Leaning close, Delaney kissed him. “Write it down this time so you don’t lose it.”
“Anything for you.”
Oh how I wish Grigori really meant those words, Delaney thought as he got to his feet and left the conference room with the sexy vampire at his side. It was the place he would vote to spend eternity if he could.
Chapter 21
Grigori shoved his goggles up and grinned. His newest trial blood had lasted a full five minutes before it separated. He might not have found the right formula yet, but he was one baby step closer. It filled him with confidence that he could figure out how to get it to a single drop or, if he was lucky, less with enough experimenting. After rinsing out his instruments, Grigori took stock of his surroundings. His back was crampy, as if he’d held his body in one position too long, so he peeled off his lab coat and hunted down his phone. It was on the desk he rarely used since he was normally hunched over the long table he used to mix things on.
When he checked the time, it was after nine in the evening. He’d missed dinner, so he pulled his protective eyewear off and headed for the kitchen. Tigglesworth kept it stocked with plastic containers of yumminess, perfect for an absentminded scientist who never wore a watch. He found some thick stew and popped it into the microwave. As it turned and heated, he tried not to feel disappointed. Despite the late hour, there were no calls or texts from Delaney. Was it too much to ask to have Delaney miss him?
He might be a bit oversensitive where Delaney was concerned. It’d been difficult to sit in the sorcerers’ meeting and hear him tell everyone that they’d only just met, and their mating ceremony was far off in the future. Grigori tried to shrug off his disappointment, but it was not turning out to be an easy venture. His heart was lost to the wizard, and it was discouraging to be alone in his feelings.
There was no way to know how long it would take Delaney to love him back, which dampened his mood. He tried to pretend it hadn’t hurt him, but Delaney had realized he was upset. Grigori had shrugged it off and tried to convince him he was just concentrating on his formulas. There was no way to know if Delaney bought his excuse, but he hadn’t pressed the matter.
After his dinner was ready, he stabbed a fork into a square of meat and stuffed his face. Delaney might have plenty to do to fill his time, but after he was finished in the lab, Grigori was at loose ends. Despite the tumult inside him, his favorite activity was still hanging out with Delaney and as he chewed, he decided there was no way he was sleeping alone.
He would simply teleport home to D’Vaire and sleep right alongside his handsome wizard. In the past couple of weeks, they hadn’t spent a night apart, and he wasn’t about to start now. Delaney always welcomed him with open arms and when he thought about the way he greeted him with kisses, Grigori grew hard.
Rolling his eyes, he finished off what was left in the container and rinsed it out. While sex was amazing, it was not the only reason he preferred Delaney near. Being close to him as he slept was just as important. Since he already had half his wardrobe in Delaney’s room, he didn’t bother grabbing anything before teleporting there. He found his wizard curled up with Greggory, watching a movie with an obnoxious amount of blood. When their gazes locked, there was surprise in Delaney’s black depths.
“Hey,” he offered, suddenly unsure of his welcome. Not even Greggory flew over to shower him with affection as he usually did. In fact, there was a certain tension in the air as the dragon suddenly rose from the bed and disappeared into his private space. He used his teeth to pull the black velvet curtain closed. Grigori didn’t know if the strange vibes were coming from his disheartened state of mind or if Delaney was upset about something.
“Hi.”
“I’m sorry. I know it’s late, I was in my lab and lost track of time.”
