Page 51 of No Ordinary Drakeling
Chapter 18
Ellery ventured downstairs to grab a cup of coffee. He’d become addicted to the stuff since he met Chrysander, but he didn’t really care. After saying good morning to Costas and Damian, he poured some of the hot brew into his mug and thought about the previous day. It was quite a shock to go into a village and find Zane’s mate languishing there. Lying in bed trying to sleep, Ellery had decided he’d do everything he could to help Tiri as he understood firsthand how daunting the Council was to outsiders.
“Hey Ellery, you owe me five bucks,” Damian said.
“I know. Chrysander put money in my account, but I have no idea how to access it.”
“I’ll teach you,” Zane promised as he walked into the room with Tiri behind him. The sprite was wearing a tunic and pants, but they weren’t elven in style. Instead of a single fabric, it was a patchwork of several prints. Ellery thought it was beautiful and marveled at Tiri’s creativity.
“I love your outfit.”
“Thank you, Ellery. You were dressed quite differently yesterday.”
“I was wearing elven attire. Today I am in dragon clothes,” Ellery responded. “I am a hybrid of both races.”
“Your eyes don’t have scales like the other dragons—is it because you’re half elf?”
“No, it is because I am still a drakeling. I have not had my first shift yet. It will be after Chrysander and I have our mating ceremony.”
Tiri’s white eyebrows pulled together briefly as his teal eyes met Ellery’s. “Your customs are very different from mine. We don’t wait for mating ceremonies. We exchange blood as soon as we meet. I was taught that was Fate’s choice, which is why she makes sure we recognize our other half so easily.”
Before Ellery could figure out how to respond to that, Chrysander joined them and said, “Elves have similar customs, but dragons wait until they’ve had a chance to develop feelings for their other half.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier to develop feelings if you’re bound by blood already?” Tiri asked.
Chrysander frowned, and Ellery wasn’t going to say a word. Let Chrysander field Tiri’s question—no one had asked him how he wanted things to progress when he met his other half, and he didn’t like going against the tradition that had been a part of his life since he was born. He tolerated it because he was a dragon too, and he understood the demands of his new role as ruler of the Council.
“I’m afraid it’s not that simple. Ellery’s now an emperor, and it’s expected that our mating ceremony be public so many people can attend,” Chrysander responded.
Tiri shook his head; then his gaze hit the floor. “I was taught mating is most important to the two people binding their blood, and other people’s opinions were not to influence it.”
“I’m afraid as public figures, we aren’t given the luxury of always doing what we want,” Chrysander replied, and it was impossible to miss the exasperation in his voice, which warmed Ellery. Their schedules were demanding, and perhaps Chrysander was no happier about the delay than Ellery. It might be only a fond wish, but Ellery wanted much more of Chrysander than he’d been given thus far.
“Speaking of public figures, we don’t have much time until Council session begins,” Damian interjected after consulting his watch.
“Tiri, we have to leave. We’ll be back early this evening. Text me when you want to eat, and I’ll order up a meal. The guard posted at the door will bring it into you,” Zane instructed.
“What the fuck is he supposed to text you with?” Costas asked. “He doesn’t have a phone.”
Tiri’s face scrunched up in distaste. “That’s a bad word,” he muttered.
“Well, what the hell am I supposed to do?” Zane demanded. “I have to be at work, it’s my job to make sure Ellery’s safe. There’s no food in the house, so how’s he going to eat?”
Ellery was annoyed. He didn’t like it when they spoke of him like he wasn’t there, and Tiri couldn’t have appreciated it either. “Perhaps you might ask Tiri.”
“No offense, Ellery, but he doesn’t even know how to dial a damn phone,” Zane retorted.
“That’s three bad words now,” Tiri grumbled in a sotto voice.
“He needs a crown and a ring of rank before he can join us in public anyway,” Chrysander said. “Not to mention more clothing and a nicer cloak.”
Zane threw up his hands in frustration. “Well, I don’t have a magic fucking wand, so I don’t know what you want me to do about it right now. Does anyone have anything constructive to offer to help me out here?”
“I’ll stay home and take care of Tiri. You guys get going,” Costas offered. “We’ll go get his identification card taken care of, get him a phone, and I’ll take him shopping. I can arrange for his crown. Who did Ellery’s?”
Tiri’s bright teal eyes were wide with concern. “I have no coin for clothes.”
“It’s okay, I’ll pay for it,” Zane responded.
