Page 9 of D'Vaire or Nothing
“Keep telling yourself that, love,” Drystan said, leaning close to brush their lips together. He tasted of salad dressing and the wine Helen had ordered for the table.
“Anyway, how is work?” Aeron asked.
“Busy. There are always too many cases, and I have no complaints,” Conley replied.
“I continue to have the occasional fantasy of kidnapping Con and taking him to some deserted spot on the planet where I don’t have to share him with anyone,” Drystan said.
“Then it’s a very good thing kidnapping is illegal,” Helen remarked. “Our Conley thrives on helping others and making a difference in this world.”
“Tell me about it. I blame him that Fate once made us Emperors,” Drystan commented dryly.
“The fact that Fate gave him a gold dragon should’ve warned us,” Aeron mused. “Still the lone golden dragon ever born. Why didn’t we realize what destiny awaited you both?”
“Aeron, are you suggesting we should’ve known that our sons would be murdered in Castle Draconis?” Helen asked, a frown on her pretty face.
“No, of course not. Emperors should be safe…especially in their own damn castle.”
“It worked out how it was supposed to,” Conley said, patting his mouth with his napkin after taking his last bite of salad.
Drystan blew out a breath, and Conley grabbed his hand to offer him some comfort. Years had passed since their memories returned—which had happened on the day they’d combined their souls for the second time—but reliving their deaths hadn’t grown any easier. Conley didn’t think about it often, but it randomly crept into his thoughts.
It was the same for Drystan. Conley had succumbed to his injuries first, which meant Drystan was able to recall themoment when they were separated and Conley slipped past the veil separating life from death. The memory flooded his mind right there in the restaurant.
“Intellectually, I’m happy with the results of our lives,” Drystan stated softly. “But I wish it’d been possible to become Reverent Knights, immortal, and part of the D’Vaires differently. If we could’ve spared the hardships…”
“Dear, without the hardships, the joy would have less bloom in your heart,” Helen offered, her words as wise as ever.
“I agree. We’re lucky. Yes, we suffered. But we have so many gifts. Ones unimaginable to us as we stood in Castle Draconis wondering how to create enough money to enrich the lives of thousands of dragons,” Conley said.
Aeron smiled. “And none of us would be sitting in a resort designed by our current Emperors. Two men who’ve also tasted pain and come out the other side with nothing but a positive attitude and a renewed dedication to aiding their people.”
“Chrys and Elf have done an incredible job as Emperors,” Drystan immediately agreed.
“Yes, and Chrys ensured that those responsible for your deaths paid for their crimes,” Helen remarked. “For a century, Chrys and his brothers worked to find every person with a dark heart and sentenced them appropriately. Like Emperors Conley and Drystan, Chrys and Elf are honorable men deserving of their titles.”
“Don’t worry that I’m after their jobs,” Drystan mused. “The last thing I ever wanted to do was lead the dragons. That was Con’s fault, and he was far better at it than me. He loved it too, which is weird.”
“While you’ve spent centuries downplaying your contributions to both dragonkind and the fallen knights,” Conley retorted with his eyes narrowed at the man he adored above everyone and everything else. No one could disparage Drystanin Conley’s presence, not even the original Reverent Knight himself.
“Appreciate his moments of humility,” Aeron suggested, the smile on his face reminiscent of the one his son often wore. “They are too few and far apart.”
“You’re the one who raised me to be headstrong and confident,” Drystan replied.
“We may have taken things a step too far,” Helen teased.
Conley cupped Drystan’s cheek and brought their lips together for a brief but tender kiss. “I like him exactly the way he is. So, thanks for raising him to be my perfect mate.”
“You’re welcome, and we’re sorry we didn’t break him of his pouting habit,” Aeron said, his dark eyes twinkling with humor.
“Thank goodness our dinner is here,” Drystan muttered as the server arrived with a large tray full of entrees.
“Yes, I’m hungry,” Helen commented once the server had placed their meals in front of them and whisked off to attend to her next task.
“Me too,” Aeron replied. “Plus, I’m curious about how the kids are doing in the casino. We should head there after we finish eating.”
Helen raised her hand and waved eagerly at someone. Conley grinned as he caught sight of Venerable Knight Arvandus Ruarc-Daray and his other half, Skeleton Lord Albrecht, walking into the distinguished restaurant. It was rare for Albrecht to go anywhere without a cloak, but his spiky reddish-blond hair shined in the low light of the restaurant.
“Mom, please stop,” Drystan begged.
