Page 71 of Becoming D'Vaire
“Hell yes, it worked,” he enthused.
“How bad was the pain?” Dre’Kariston asked.
“Are you asking me or Idris?”
“Idris is going to lie and say he was fine. I’d like you to be honest,” Dre’Kariston retorted while Idris scrunched his nose in disapproval.
“It really wasn’t bad. More intense than the cut I made, but it levels off. Not nearly as bad as having Dra’Kaedan shoot a bunch of power into me,” Delaney explained.
“I don’t see why the simulations didn’t show a hundred percent completion average,” Idris commented. “It wasn’t hard at all to twist the dark around the light. This isn’t that intense of a spell.”
“Well, we’ve had practice mixing our magic before, and we’re not your average bunch of wand-wavers,” Renny retorted.
“None of us even own magic wands,” Dra’Kaedan told his familiar.
“We should, it’d be awesome,” Renny enthused. “I think I’ll start collecting them.”
Delaney thought the idea of a wand collection was kind of awesome, and he made a mental note to find one for Renny’s new venture.
“Anyway, so how do you feel about the two warlocks, one wizard combination for the stone?” Dre’Kariston asked Idris. “You’re the one doing the hardest part of this thing. How confident are you feeling?”
“Very, and we’re going to do the necromancer, warlock, and wizard combination as well. These aren’t going to save any lives, but they are a convenience dark sorcerers haven’t had before. They may wind up obsolete with the darkfallen, but it might also be nice to have them on hand if Saura and T’Eirick are busy, or you don’t feel like bothering them over something minor,” Idris said.
“We can’t count on Fate to make us powerful menders yet anyway. We’d like her to, but the reality is, we’re conquering new ground. Though all of you are becoming professionals at that, this one is out of your control,” T’Eirick stated.
“Which is the worst part of it, if you ask me. I like it when we all get together and solve issues. Asking Fate to do this is the right route. There really isn’t another avenue, but it’s hard to just hand over the control and have no say in it,” Renny commented.
“It’s like being in a relationship,” Delaney remarked. “You have to be content to give it your all, but you have no clue what the future will bring.”
“The future for you and Grigori looks amazingly bright to me. He’s such a lovely young man. You make a wonderful couple, two beautiful smiles and love glowing all around you,” Saura told him. “I’m so excited about your ceremony. I can already see how incredible it’s going to be in my head.”
“Thank you, it means a lot that everyone’s so happy for us,” Delaney said. He was blown away by the joy his family had over his relationship with Grigori. Of course it was difficult for him to imagine anyone not liking Grigori. The man was smart, gorgeous, and had a great sense of humor. Even Duff, who couldn’t stand Delaney, had no problem with the Vampyr Lord.
“Okay, so Del’s blushing and all but shuffling his feet in embarrassment. What do you say we make some more of these stones? You up for it, Idris?” Dre’Kariston asked.
Idris nodded and gave Delaney a half hug. “Yep, let’s do it.”
Grateful for the chance to make more of the D’Vaire stones a reality, Delaney focused on using his magic and bringing forth a new chapter in dark sorcery.
Chapter 24
Grigori was in his bedroom at his parents’ condo and packing up what was left of his belongings. Though he had some time until his mating ceremony, he saw no need to continue to go back and forth. His new lab was ready, and he wanted to usher forth new experiments in it, but he was honest enough to admit he would miss the one his father created for him when he young. He comforted himself with the knowledge that his parents were unlikely to do anything to make him feel less welcome in their home. The lab and his bedroom were destined to remain just as he would leave them, so he and Del could visit.
After shoving the last of his underwear into a suitcase, there was a knock on his door. He opened it to reveal his folks. “Hey, guys.”
“Hello to you too. Tigglesworth tells us you wished to speak with us,” his mother responded with a warm smile.
“I do. Where’s Nikolai?”
“Still chatting with Tigglesworth, I assume,” his father said.
“Charlie’s there too?”
His mother lifted one finely arched black brow. “Must be big news. Dare I say something to do with Del?”
“Geez Mom, don’t wreck my big moment. Let’s go find the rest of the family.”
Irina chuckled but didn’t say anything more as Grigori led his folks across the condo to the kitchen, where he managed to find the other three members of his family.
