Page 37 of The Missing Sentinel
So often, Ducarius was not ready to end an argument with another Daray the moment Chander decided he was tiredof listening to them. He would love to add another comment or opinion to the conversation, but he refused to antagonize the formidable imp-necro hybrid and zipped his lip. Chander had taught every Daray a few manners, even if they needed regular etiquette reminders.
Once Ducarius was alone in the library, he returned to the book Drexley had picked for him. It was another tender romance. Those appeared to be a favorite of Drexley’s and told Ducarius that his other half had a soft heart. It was a lovely thing to learn about him. Ducarius vowed to himself to protect and nourish the gentler side of Drexley.
Flashes of their morning kisses slid into Ducarius’s thoughts, and he grinned. Drexley’s tongue was agile, and he’d been enthusiastic as they’d tasted each other for the first time. It was going to increase the intensity of touching himself later now that he’d held Drexley close and experienced a bit of pleasure with him.
Ducarius was delighted at how well their friendship was flourishing since they’d met not so long ago, and he hoped they could experiment further with the physical aspect of their matebond soon. Erotic dreams were wonderful, and so was jerking off, but Ducarius wanted to watch Drexley’s face as he came. To taste his seed and, if Drexley was willing, to push his cock deep inside him. The room was growing uncomfortably warm, and Ducarius had to shift on the chair as his cock was eagerly responding to his imagination.
He needed to calm the fuck down or he would have to excuse himself and take matters into his own hands yet again. It wouldn’t take Drexley long to aid Adney, and the other sentinel would soon return to the library. There were several more hours before they needed to go to bed. The last thing Ducarius wanted was to sacrifice even a minute with Drexley.
As if he had summoned him, the door opened and Drexley stalked in. While Drexley called himself a scholar and had studied extensively, he moved silently thanks to the spell that had created them both.
“Is Adney well?” Ducarius asked. He did not get along with Adney, but Drexley cared for the man, so he thought it was his duty to ask after the necromancer.
“He grows angrier every day. The weakness and his draining magic are so hard for him to bear. Sometimes I think it would be better for him to cross the veil quicker so he need not suffer any longer. But at the same time, I selfishly want to have him here as long as possible.”
“It is an understandable dilemma. You are a caring person and will miss him greatly.”
Drexley offered him a gentle smile as he sat across from him. “How well you already understand me.”
“Studying you is my favorite pastime. It is a pleasure to learn whatever I can.”
“Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”
“Drexley, I am here for you. No matter the question, I will answer it to the best of my ability.”
“I trust you,” Drexley replied, and Ducarius’s heart soared. They could not detect each other’s lies, but that did not stop Drexley from believing him. Their bond was growing, and that pleased Ducarius immensely. Being with Drexley had quickly become Ducarius’s sole goal, and it was already proving to be a worthy one.
“So, let us begin. What is your first question?”
“Well, we grew a bit distracted earlier,” Drexley said, his cheeks growing pink. Ducarius could not help his lecherous smile. Yes, they had set aside their conversation to kiss, and Ducarius idly wondered how long he’d have to wait to yankDrexley close again. “You were telling me about the sentinels and their memories. A spell affected you.”
“Yes, it did. For nearly two thousand years, my memory was eroded. By the time I was discovered behind the walls of the compound, I had lost everything but the most basic knowledge. I had my name and some concrete parts of what it meant to be a sentinel left. That was all. I barely remembered Alaric.”
“If it were not for Adney’s confirmation of Alaric’s existence, I would almost wonder if he was a figment of my imagination. I know he had different daggers. Both poisons. His eyes may be unique.”
“They glow like our green poison.”
Drexley smiled. “Ah, that is good to hear. That was such a fantastical version of Alaric, I doubted my recollection.”
“That is how Fate made him stand apart from the rest of us.”
“I believed it was his daggers that set him apart. That was how Fate marked him. But it appears I was wrong.”
“Only Alaric has the power to grant another sentinel the ability to use both poisons.”
“Did he give it to everyone?”
Ducarius shook his head. “Seven men share this unique ability with him.”
“Dare I ask why you seven were given this ability?”
“Ask me anything, Drexley. Do you recall the spell I mentioned? The one pushing Alaric to give up his own basic needs to see to his people?”
“Yes, you told me that earlier. Not enough hours have passed yet for me to forget our conversation, thankfully. My memory is poor.”
“Thanks to the spell yanking away our memories, Alaric forgot about his resurrection and the men who wrapped that sorcery around his mind. He never left the compounduntil one day two sentinels were summoned to the sides of their necromancers. They were given the option to leave the compound permanently, and they grabbed at the chance. It turns out they were mates. Gavrael and Gedeon honored their matebond and found happiness. Something they wanted to share with every sentinel. Thanks to an idea given to them by a renowned fallen knight, they convinced Alaric it was in the best interest of his people to join the Council.”
“Gavrael and Gedeon sound like wonderful men.”
