Page 71 of The Missing Sentinel
Ducarius chuckled aloud. “I will go find something to entertain me and shut up.”
Pleased with the wealth of knowledge sitting in his lap, Drexley left his mate to sort himself out and opened the book. It immediately comforted him, though he had yet to read a word. Two things soothed him. One was Ducarius. The other was a wonderfully written book. Having both together was his favorite activity outside of dragging Ducarius to a nearby bed.
Which Drexley planned to do that night once they were alone again. Perhaps if he were lucky, he would stay coherent long enough to enjoy his climax. But he doubted it. The previousnight had been far too intense to believe they would overcome the bounty of their new connection so swiftly. And Drexley could not complain.
Feeling Ducarius’s desire along with his own was fantastic. But Drexley needed to clear his head before he embarrassed himself in front of the Arch Lich by growing hard in his private library.
Ducarius caught his eye and gave him a sultry smile. There was no need to ask if Ducarius was in favor of what was in Drexley’s head. His approval was clearly written in his cognac gaze.
Chapter 30
By Monday morning, Ducarius was wondering if the Darays were planning on displaying their best manners forever. Since Ducarius had arrived at the condo with Drexley, the entire place had been eerily quiet. Everyone was agreeing with each other constantly. It was creepy, and Ducarius yearned for jokes in poor taste or a stupid argument.
Next to his concern about how long the Darays would maintain their sanity with such constraints placed on them, Ducarius wondered what to do. It was normal for him to work during the week, but he did not want to leave Drexley alone to entertain himself. Even though he was irritated that he had no plan and pissed that other sentinels had to carry the burden of his workload for longer, Ducarius would allow none of his concerns to touch Drexley.
His mate walked out of the bathroom, and Drexley slapped a smile on his face.
Drexley frowned. “What is bothering you?”
“I have not planned well, that is all. Should we go downstairs and get some breakfast?”
“Yes.”
After grabbing Drexley’s hand, Ducarius opened their bedroom door and grinned. Below him were the soundsof bickering Darays. Unfortunately, they quieted immediately when they spotted Ducarius leading Drexley down the open staircase to the combined living and eating area of their home.
“Can you make them stop?” Drexley asked through their mindlink.
Ducarius pulled out Drexley’s chair, then took a seat next to him. Drexley’s request confused him; the Darays were quiet and already passing dishes around so they could fill their bellies.
“Stop what, love?”
“Conversations cease the moment I walk into a room. You mentioned they were trying to make me comfortable on Saturday by being quieter than usual. But it is now Monday. I want to know them as they are, and I hate that they are not being themselves in their own home.”
“I will fix it,” Ducarius replied, relieved at Drexley’s request. He wanted his family normal too, and it pleased him that Drexley was ready to befriend them. Each Daray wanted to include Drexley and would ensure he had what he needed.
“Chand. Drexley wants to get to know the Darays. Make them end this best behavior nonsense.”
Chander grinned. “Are you sure, Drexley? They’re really annoying.”
“Like he’s not,” Baxter muttered.
“Drexley, how do you feel about spelling words at the table?” Vellerynd asked. “Personally, I believe it is rude. If it makes you uncomfortable, I suggest it be banned forever.”
“N-i-c-e try,” Baxter retorted. “But we’re Darays, and there are no rules here.”
“That’s not true,” Cassius argued. “If it were, no one would clean up after themselves, and Victor would quit because he’d get tired of cleaning up everyone’s shit.”
“He has two mates to help him pick up shit,” Baxter said, waving his fork toward Keegan and Phillip. “Plus, he’s a Daray,we’re his family. Where would he go if he quit? No way he’d want to leave us.”
Teverild scowled. “He’s a Daray. If he ever decides that he wants to stop being the housekeeper, he’s not leaving. This is his home.”
“Teverild is correct,” Alaric said. He flicked his gaze to the two goblins sitting at their tiny table on the island. “Rogue. Pizza. The more syrup you drop, the bigger mess you will have to clean. Do not leave it for Victor.”
Pizza chattered loudly and pointed his fork at Rogue. The other small goblin bent his head and crossed his arms over his T-shirt.
“Should I even ask who gave them so much fucking syrup?” Chander asked.
The table went quiet, and Ducarius rolled his eyes, but he was far from annoyed. It was wonderful for the chaos of the Daray household to be alive and well again.
