Page 178 of Heart of the High King
Chapter 67
Aleksander smiled as Jeremiah stood in front of the double doors off the great room. The entire family had arrived the night before, and it was a festive atmosphere.
“Your dragon is extraordinarily beautiful,” Ellery told Jeremiah.
“Thanks, Elf. I think so too. It’s funny because after you shifted, I couldn’t decide if I would prefer to be a sleek black beast or a stunning white one and somehow, I got both colors with a few shades in between thrown in.”
“I appreciate you giving Elven D’Vaire exclusive rights to your dragonskin,” Kalthekor remarked. “I know it’s going to be very popular and will add plenty of funds to both D’Vaire sanctuaries.”
“That’s the best part for me. Okay, is everyone here?” Jeremiah asked. “Because I’m nervous as hell.”
“The gang’s all here,” Damian assured him.
“Awesomesauce. Ladies and gentlemen of the extended D’Vaire clan, I present to you…the throne room for our incredible High Kings,” Jeremiah called out grandly, then threw open the doors.
With Rafe’s hand in his, Aleksander walked in and his eyes widened. They’d knocked out the ceiling to make the room soar up two stories for half of it, while a spiral staircase led up to a balcony. There were two prominent thrones in the center of a dais with padded dragonskin beds on either side for the High Kings’ wolves. Behind Aleksander’s and Rafe’s chairs were specially designed seats for not only the dukes but each Council leader that called D’Vaire home, and on the wall was an enormous family crest with magically preserved lilies.
A glorious mural that had every D’Vaire represented with either their beast or in full magical or elven splendor was opposite it. Padded benches were lined up over the slate floor, giving it a medieval feel as did the iron chandeliers. Upstairs, there was a living library of important objects to D’Vaire, like old crowns, and plaques that represented each race in their family. If he had the imagination to create something so wonderful, Aleksander still doubted he had the ability.
“Wow,” Rafe murmured for perhaps the twentieth time while they strolled around.
“Right? We’re going to have to actually act like royals in here.”
“Act like royals by being on the advisory panel,” Chrysander drawled from behind them.
“I am on it,” Aleksander remarked. “I know I’ve missed six weeks, but you can blame Nox.”
“Aleksander funny.”
“I was talking to Rafe.”
“Oh,” Rafe responded. “I didn’t know I was on it.”
Chrysander rolled his eyes. “I’m having the land here tested. I really think it sucks up leadership.”
“We will see you on Friday, Your Highness,” Ellery commented with a perturbed expression for his other half.
“Okay, yeah, sure,” Rafe replied. “I need to go find Jeremiah and the other people on his team to thank them for this.”
Aleksander instead led Rafe to the dais and put two fingers in his mouth to whistle loudly enough that the room quieted.
“I didn’t mean to the whole crowd,” Rafe complained.
“Go on, Your Highness,” Aleksander responded, kissing his cheek.
Rafe scowled, but he did give his attention to the crowd. “I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank Jeremiah, Larissa, Madeline, Dravyn, Killian, and whoever else they pulled in to help create this incredible room. This is way above what both Sander and I expected, and I am in awe of your creativity and the speed in which you were able to accomplish such a feat. You did an incredible job, and I think we’re going to have to invent excuses to behave like nobility just so we can come in here. I can tell you this, those doors will no longer remain shut, as every D’Vaire should get to enjoy the beauty of this space every day. Thanks, guys.”
As cheers and applause erupted, Aleksander pulled Rafe close. “Nice speech.”
“Mortis gave it an eight out of ten.”
Aleksander laughed. “Come on, we need to get a sword in your hand before our Sorcery D’Vaire meeting. I know you’re going to kick Conley’s ass.”
“You’re nuts.”
“Nope.”
Aleksander finally convinced Rafe to venture outdoors after two more circuits of the space. They found Conley already waiting with sword in hand. Brogan walked over and handed Rafe his weapon while D’Vaires filled the deck.
