Page 62 of The Missing Sentinel
Drexley had not even met all of Ducarius’s family, and he didn’t yet feel like he belonged, but that was fine. There was ample opportunity for him to offer his gratitude. But it would have to wait until Drexley was ready to say goodbye to his past. No easy feat, but he could not stand in the D’Vaire garden forever.
So, Drexley braced himself mentally and returned his attention to the fire. It crackled, and smoke plumed. A few singed petals danced through the air. Drexley appreciated the wild beauty of it. He liked to think Adney would appreciate it too. Perhaps he was staring at the same scene from his side of the veil.
That image mended a bit of the massive cracks in Drexley’s heart. Adney was gone, and so was his realm, but his spirit lived on. With that warming him, Drexley offered his last goodbye to the necromancer.
“Thank you for being my family, Adney,” Drexley whispered.
Chapter 27
The last thing Ducarius wanted was to rush Drexley. His mate was holding himself together, but barely. Next to them, the pyre Drexley had lit was burning steadily. Ducarius had silently said his own farewell to Adney, but things were not so simple for Drexley. Their connection gave Ducarius a front-row ticket to Drexley’s immense grief.
And Ducarius yearned for a way to heal him. But that would take time.
Ducarius idly wondered how long they had been standing outside as Adney’s symbolic pyre burned. It was annoying to be so preoccupied with how many minutes had passed, but Ducarius could not help it. The D’Vaires were family, which meant they had been thrilled to see him.
News of a family member reappearing in their lives after being missing for several weeks was bound to spread like wildfire. As Ducarius held Drexley close and rubbed his back, he wondered if the condo in Vegas was filling with Darays hurrying home to herald his return. Along with the joy, Ducarius knew questions would be asked.
No Daray would be satisfied until Ducarius answered all their queries. While he was happy to fill them in, he wanted to speak to Alaric and Chander privately. Ducarius wanted them toknow about Drexley’s memory gaps so they would be prepared for the future.
It had been Ducarius’s experience that every sentinel who’d been stripped of recollections regained them. Ducarius was not sure yet what would be revealed, but he wanted to ensure every Daray was ready to be a shoulder for Drexley to lean on.
“What is wrong?” Drexley asked.
“Idle concerns. Nothing important. Right now, I want you to focus on your feelings.”
“I am going to be fine. It may take some time, but Adney would not accept me wallowing about anything, including his own death.”
“You are strong, and you have your memories of Adney to steady you.”
Drexley lifted his head from Ducarius’s shoulder and brushed their lips together. “And a mate who loves me.”
“Indeed, you do.”
“Where do we go from here, Ducarius? Do we wait for the pyre to burn, or can we return to your family? They have waited too long to be with you already. I have said my goodbyes to Adney. I doubt my tears are done for the day, but I suppose that is to be expected.”
“Of course it is, love. Your grief cannot be swept away in an instant.”
“Should we get the stone the Grand Warlock provided and return to your home?”
“Are you sure you want to leave?”
Drexley’s jaw flexed, and he swallowed thickly. His gaze was little more than the raw pain in his heart. But there was determination there too. It would have to be enough to get him through the massive adjustments necessary for him to make now that they had no choice but to leave Adney’s realm behind.
“Yes. I am sure.”
Taking Drexley at his word and reassured by the resolve he sensed, Ducarius pressed their lips together in a tender kiss. Offering Drexley a smile, he pulled away, took his hand, and led him to the gazebo named for the Grand Warlock. The stone rested on the cushion closest to the entrance. Ducarius grabbed it and held it out to Drexley.
“Just like the first one,” Ducarius coaxed. He tugged his hood over his head again. “When you are ready, rub your thumb across the dragon.”
“What about the fire? Is it not dangerous to leave it burning?”
“Have no fear. The house is full of D’Vaires, and I imagine most of them are staring out at us because they are nosy. Once we leave, they will ensure it is taken care of.”
Nodding, Drexley exhaled slowly and lifted his arm. Ducarius closed his eyes as the ground dissolved beneath his feet. Excitement coursed through him. He was delighted to soon be with his family again and knew they would adore Drexley in short order. The second the smooth floor of his bedroom was under his boots, Ducarius whipped off his cloak and used his little magical ability to shove it into his closet.
“I am sorry this room is so ugly,” Ducarius said as Drexley’s sad gaze surveyed the gray monstrosity. “We will redesign it immediately. Do not worry that we lack the ability; there are several Darays and D’Vaires who can aid us. Do you wish to splash some water on your face?”
“That would be refreshing. This is far more modern than I had pictured. I am at a loss as to how to proceed. It is foolish, but I wish I had a change of clothing. Though I suppose I should be happy what I have on was brought from Adney’s former home and was not crafted with magic or I would have arrived naked.Now I know firsthand how unprepared you were to find yourself in a new realm.”
