Page 74 of The Missing Sentinel
“What about safety?” asked Dudley Tenebri, Evergreen’s roommate and best friend.
Evergreen gave an absent wave of his hand. “We’ll be fine. It’s shopping. Relax.”
Ducarius tugged his phone out of his pocket. “I will text the Coven Lords. If they are not busy, they could accompany you.”
“Coven Lords?” Drexley asked.
“Sentinels,” Evergreen answered. “Hadley and Bridger. They’re D’Vaires. Family. And they haven’t met you yet, so they’ll jump at the chance to join us. At least they’re fun.”
If Hadley and Bridger were not available, Ducarius would text every sentinel in their brotherhood until he found one who had a free afternoon, because there was no way his unarmed mate was going anywhere without protection.
Chapter 31
Thanks to a quick teleport courtesy of Evergreen’s magic, Drexley arrived at his second Dérive station of the day. This one was in a shopping complex, and Drexley had a new identification card in his pocket that served as a method of payment in the Council. Although it was odd for Drexley to accept money from Alaric, he assured himself he was a sentinel and he would find a way of getting funds once he was adjusted to the changes in his life.
At that point, Drexley could return the money to Alaric. Or so he hoped. In any event, Drexley was pleased that he did not have to spend Ducarius’s money. The Skeleton Lord had earned every penny and deserved to spend it on himself. Plus, yesterday Ducarius had paid for many items to redecorate their bedroom.
“This way,” Evergreen directed as he raced ahead into a shop. With a sigh, one of the two D’Vaire sentinels, Bridger, rushed after him.
“Imagine running in anywhere when you have sentinels with you,” Coven Lord Hadley D’Vaire remarked. “Evergreen should’ve let Bridger go into the store first.”
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Victor replied. “It’s been my experience that sentinels worry a little too much.”
Drexley followed Victor into the space and wondered if he was bold enough to wear a shirt in the same vibrant pink as the one the Russian Blue cat shifter had donned that day. It was beautiful, and Drexley loved it. But he had learned from searching through pictures the previous day that he leaned toward what Larissa had called earth tones. Ducarius had enlisted her help for designing their space, and she had shown Drexley the pictures.
Their bedroom would be in soothing greens and browns. It would be cottage inspired with plenty of wooden furniture, soft florals, a vintage-inspired area rug, and a checkered fabric as curtains and other accents. Drexley could not wait for the finished result and loved that it was something he and Ducarius had designed together.
“Okay, Drexley, I think we’ll start with casual clothes since you’ve worn those already and may have some idea what you like,” Evergreen said. “Take a little spin around this area and let’s see what you’re drawn to. Bridger, can you let the sales associate know we’ll need a fitting room?”
With a nod, Bridger took off to do Evergreen’s bidding.
The druid-necromancer hybrid grinned at Drexley. “Turns out people get really impressed by titles, so we’ll wow the staff here with a Coven Lord. Now, let’s get to work, Drexley. I never get to play dress up with a sentinel. Usually, I get asked for an opinion about a shirt or something for an event, then I have to listen to them bitch that they’d rather be in their uniform.”
Victor shrugged. “Even Alaric has casual clothes.”
“Have you had to take any of his shirts to have the buttons sewn on again?” Evergreen snickered.
“It’s been a little while, but it happens occasionally,” Victor replied with a laugh. “Drexley, if you’re overwhelmed, start by thinking of one color. Narrow it down as much as possible.”
Drexley recalled that Adney’s favorite hue was green. So was Drexley’s, but he had been forbidden to wear it since it was associated with sentinels. Now that Adney was not there to stop him, Drexley wanted to be himself. And he loved green. That was why he had selected it for the new bedroom décor.
“Green,” Drexley said. He did not think of it as defying Adney. After all, it had been the necromancer’s favorite color too. So, in a way he was honoring them both.
“Of course. A sentinel that likes green. Big surprise,” Evergreen teased. “Like bright poison glow green or something different?”
“I do not know how to describe it, but Larissa mentioned I favored earth tones yesterday when we had a video call with her,” Drexley confided.
Evergreen narrowed his gray-green eyes. “Hmm, yes, I see it. Maybe a forest green plaid shirt with a pair of chinos. Let’s start there.”
“He’ll need coordinating shoes and a belt,” Victor said. “I love belts. It just finishes an outfit for me.”
Drexley’s gaze widened as Evergreen plucked a handful of hangers from a rack.
“Let’s grab plenty for you to try on,” Evergreen remarked. “Different fits. A couple of sizes. We want you to feel comfortable with everything we buy; otherwise, what’s the point?”
“That sounds like a suitable plan,” Drexley commented. He appreciated the aid and relished the idea of finding things that suited him. His robes had been given to him by Adney, and Drexley was never consulted about any aspect of his clothing or bedroom. A wave of guilt swept through him. Adney had done his best to guide him, and Drexley did not dislike the necromancer for his desire to take control, but he preferred having a say.
“How is it going?” Ducarius’s voice in his head made Drexley smile. It was so like his mate to take time out of his meeting to check in. But Drexley did not want him to worry or have his attention torn from his duty.
