Page 99 of Becoming D'Vaire
“No.No, I couldn’t be there to save them. I won’t leave,” Dra’Kaedan countered. “Besides, I know they can’t feel pain, but they’ll need healing. You’re shoving a stone in them.”
Scheredin walked over and placed a hand over Dra’Kaedan’s chest. “Stay here with your mate and brother. I’ll take care of the healing.”
Dra’Kaedan nodded and grabbed Dre’Kariston’s hand with his free one.
“Cadlyr, you have the stones?” Chander asked.
The Cwylld chieftain walked over and handed Aleksander a small copper box. The metal negated the pull of the stones but with such small slivers, Delaney doubted it was necessary. It was just like Cadlyr to be considerate of the magickind in the room and protect them as long as possible.
Greenish-gold magic surrounded T’Eirick’s body as Scheredin did more than heal them, he was also using the color to shield the act of driving the stone into both former warlocks. After lifting the lid of Cadlyr’s container, Aleksander grasped one of the slivers in his hand.
“Tell me when, Chand.”
“His soul’s rising rapidly, and Saura’s has already begun to lift. Go for it. It sounds awful, but you just need to drive it downward into his midsection,” Chander directed.
The D’Vaire king’s face was resolute, and he raised his hand high. “Close your eyes,” he ordered the twins. When Dra’Kaedan opened his mouth to argue, Aleksander’s jaw locked. “I won’t do it if you refuse.”
The Grand Warlock lowered his lashes and his brother did the same. Satisfied, Aleksander moved his arm down swiftly and thanks to Scheredin, it was impossible to see the object get buried into T’Eirick’s torso.
After taking a step back, Aleksander gave Chander his attention. “Did it work?” he gritted out.
“Yeah. Yeah, I think you embedded it in his soul,” Chander replied. “Saura’s not taking her time. Get ready.”
“Keep your eyes shut,” Aleksander demanded as he walked around the bed to Saura’s side. In his hand, he had the other sliver.
“Go,” Chander ordered and Aleksander obeyed. Seconds later, it was Saura with the Cwylld stone lodged inside her.
“They’re dying faster now,” Alaric said.
“I guess we never anticipated what impact the Cwylld stone would have on the two of them,” Dre’Kariston responded as he lifted his lashes. There still wasn’t much to view on the bed; Scheredin kept the soft glow around his aunt and uncle.
“It’s better,” Dra’Kaedan commented. “It’ll give them more time on the other side. They’ll be happy.”
The Grand Warlock walked across the room and wrapped his arms around Aleksander. Dra’Kaedan quietly thanked their king for what he’d just done.
“What now, Squirt? What do you want to do?”
“I can’t leave them. I just can’t,” Dra’Kaedan managed as he scrubbed away fresh tears. “I know they are on their way and that I can’t touch them or comfort them, but I have to stay.”
“Then we stay,” Aleksander assured him. He crossed over and hugged Dre’Kariston. Next, he lowered his body to the floor and sat. Seconds later he was squished between the Grand Warlock and the Grand Summoner with their mates flanking them. Renny and Lucian took up posts on the opposite sides of Somerly and Brogan.
It didn’t take long for the rest of the D’Vaire family—including their extended members who did not share their roof—to find a spot on the wooden planks to wait out the precious time T’Eirick and Saura would share with them as the resurrected former warlocks. Delaney laid his head against Grigori, who wrapped his arm around him, and reminded himself that when they returned, they’d be darkfallen. He had zero doubt they would once again change their world as they did when they created the Council over six centuries ago.
They gave their sons the same indomitable spirit that lived inside them, and Delaney was blessed to be a part of all their lives. The faint murmur of conversation filtered around the room as the occupants told stories of T’Eirick and Saura. Over the three months they were under the D’Vaire roof, they made quite an impact. The following day when they became D’Vaires, there would be even more beautiful tales of the kindness and compassion they offered everyone. Delaney’s thoughts went to the path which led them to this time and place.
All those centuries before, Carvallius had signed their death warrants since he wanted their titles for himself. His greed and evil had cost the Coven of Warlocks everything. Fate left Dra’Kaedan and Dre’Kariston on this side of the veil to pick up the pieces. It could have turned them bitter or angry. Instead, the pair had looked outward and chosen to open their hearts and home. Because of them, Delaney had a family. He owed them everything, and he hoped to hell he got the chance to take down Latarian. It was the only way he could ever pay back the D’Vaires and maybe finally earn the name he so proudly carried.
Chapter 34
When the sun attempted to lighten the darkness of the night, Grigori was standing outside the D’Vaire mansion. The backyard hardly resembled the home he knew. All the people were dressed in the simple cotton tunics and pants in D’Vaire blue-black. Magickind were wearing their most extravagant cloaks, and the Sentinel Brotherhood contingent had all hidden their faces under their hoods. Grigori had donned the only one he owned—the same one he was mated in. In the air was the intoxicating smell of blue lotus flowers. They were everywhere, and Grigori was told they symbolized rebirth.
In a large circle, several fires were in the process of being lit. Dark and light casters, as well as those in between, were using their signature colors to illuminate the area. The focal point of everything was the two large wooden pyres that had yet to be burned. Dravyn, along with his sister, Noirin, were carefully placing pomegranates, apples, plums, and strawberries around the silk-clad bodies of T’Eirick and Saura. Each fruit represented either immortality, afterlife, or rebirth.
Standing alone while he waited for Delaney to finish his contribution of black flames, he found Duff at his side.
“Can you believe all this?” the Kellas cat shifter asked.
“Pretty amazing,” Grigori replied. “And beautiful.”
