Page 26 of The Missing Sentinel
“Necromancers were created at my behest, but I have no ability to alter or influence them directly since they are living,” Death defended.
“I know,” Fate replied softly. “I have often wondered if that is why so many of the necromancers are awful. That they have been intentionally meddled with because there are too many narrow-minded goddesses who resent you. Any goddess who is currently alive except for you can sway or alter their will.”
“Because their creation goddess cannot,” Death muttered as her eyes narrowed. “Perhaps I need to keep a far greater eye on Chander’s people. If Folly has figured out how easily they can be manipulated, necromancers would be useful to her.”
“At least their leader is fantastic. If they trust Chander, they will not be led astray.” Fate summoned a fan of feathers and whipped it near her face. “And his mate is so smoking hot.”
“Do you think Ducarius and Drexley will be successful?”
Fate smiled. “It is probably too early to pat myself on the back, but yes, there is a little glow in their souls already, and it has been but a few days. Adney may try to interfere, and Drexley must face his future. One that will be tougher than he can imagine yet thanks to his ignorance of how he has been controlled and swayed by Adney’s twisted version of reality, but Ducarius will be there for him. I believe it will work out well, and they will soon have the Darays at their side to lend a hand or offer them support.”
“Good, then I will see what I can do to hasten that rotten Adney’s death. He will soon find that his afterlife will take him out of the driver’s seat and that he must contend with paying for his choices.”
“I know you will find a suitable but painful future for our foul little necromancer.”
“The trick will be to handle it without stressing out his mate since she continues to pine for the asshole.”
“You are up to the task. Should I tell you about the Daray I matched today?”
Death’s eyes widened. “There are so few of them left unmated, it can only be one of a few.”
Fate rubbed her hands together. “It may be time to expand the Darays.”
“Or focus on aiding the undead elves still waiting at Elven D’Vaire.”
“Both worthy tasks. We’ll keep our focus on both avenues.”
There was a loud knock on the door. “We brought snacks,” Mayhem hollered from the hallway.
“And drinks,” Chaos screeched.
Death scowled. “We also need to make a list of different options for that meddling pair.”
“Yes, but let’s first find out if they brought anything tasty for us to enjoy.”
Chapter 13
Ducarius had spent a week in Adney’s realm, and he was already loath to lose a moment with Drexley, but he’d had no choice but to miss breakfast. His trip had been unplanned, which left him with the clothes on his back and nothing else. At night, Ducarius did his best to wash his uniform. But it never dried completely by morning. Ducarius tolerated the weirdness of his damp things.
However, he had been distracted the previous night by the trilogy that Drexley hadn’t oversold and had far too late a start on his washing. Since Ducarius could not parade around the castle naked, he had sat in his room and waited impatiently to get dressed. His socks took the longest to dry, and Ducarius refused to give up lunch too. So, he tugged on his soggy socks and shoved his feet into his boots.
With a whisper, he had his weapons at his waist. Following his first meal of the day, Ducarius needed to train. It helped soothe his irritation with the precarious situation at Adney’s castle. Twice since Ducarius’s arrival, chunks of the realm had crumbled. Drexley appeared to barely notice. Ducarius could understand his desire to avoid thinking of Adney’s demise, but the necromancer could be killed by falling rocks instead of old age if he wasn’t swayed to leave.
Ducarius refused to make it an argument between him and his mate, but he dearly hoped Drexley would reconsider and at least discuss options with Adney. The necromancer wanted to spend his last days in his own realm, which Ducarius respected, but it was dangerous. And Adney had nothing to do, it appeared, because he rarely left Drexley alone.
But perhaps that was because he did not approve of Drexley’s matebond.
Shutting his door behind him, Ducarius flexed his jaw. He did not care what Adney thought. Ducarius had every intention of pursuing Drexley. The other sentinel gave every sign that he was also interested in building a relationship. Whether that was a friendship or the matebond Fate promised Ducarius did not know yet, but he was a patient man. Something in his soul assured him that Drexley was worth whatever wait he had to endure.
After all, Ducarius was an ancient sentinel and had already spent two millennia alone.
The moment Ducarius arrived in the dining hall, Drexley’s worried gaze cut to his. “Is everything well?” Drexley asked. “You did not break your fast.”
Ducarius hated that he’d worried Drexley. “I apologize; I should have figured out a way to send word to you. My clothes were not dry, so I had to wait in my room.”
“You must be starving; if you need extra, let a skeleton know so he can fetch additional fare for you,” Drexley encouraged. “Wait, why were your clothes wet? We do not have weather here.”
“I had to wash them so they did not begin to stink.”
