Page 34 of The Missing Sentinel
To Drexley’s surprise, Ducarius’s jaw flexed, and a sound escaped him that resembled a growl. “Necromancers five centuries ago knew little about sentinels and less about the compound we called home, which is why there are no books explaining our people in Adney’s library. We were put there for a reason. The necromancers did not ask for us and did not want us in their lives. Some were scared. Others were angry. To silence their complaints, a magical prison was crafted. We lived there for twenty years without a leader or anyone who cared where we had gone.”
“I thought Alaric was our leader.”
“Fate chose him, but not until he was resurrected. That was twenty years after our creation. One of the men I told you about, who was abused so horribly that he became a skeleton, ended the life of his bitch necromancer. He was the first sentinel. Domitia’s assassin. His name is Albrecht. His mate, Arvandus, was Faustus’s sentinel. The former Arch Liches were pissed to discover that Albrecht and Arvandus were chosen by Fate. They objected to two men being together. In front of Albrecht, they beheaded Arvandus with his own dagger. Their ability to order us around kept both Arvandus and Albrecht still during the tragedy.”
Drexley was aghast at Ducarius’s tale. “The black poison. The same one that floats at the bottom of your blades.”
“An innate part of your spell that you cannot forget no matter how much time has passed. Yes, the black poison allowed Domitia and Faustus to kill Arvandus.”
“How many sentinels were murdered in such an awful fashion?”
“Just one. After Albrecht ended Domitia’s life, Le’Terrius swept in to aid the necromancers. He hid Albrecht in the compound, and a group of sorcerers resurrected a leader for us. They asked Fate to choose a worthy soul, and she did. Then they wrapped Alaric’s mind in a spell that did not allow him to see to his own needs. Instead, Alaric’s existence was ruled by his unrelenting quest to care for us. To ensure the tale of Albrecht never left the compound, Le’Terrius changed the compound so that it slowly, insidiously tore away our memories. It was something we could not detect, and we did not understand what was happening until it stopped. But once we left, every memory we lost was returned to us.”
“Poor Albrecht. To lose his mate in such a way. No resurrected being can be permanently brought to life twice. I read that in several books. I am sure of it. To have eternity without his Arvandus. My heart aches for him. Do you know him? Is he well enough, or did the heartache drive him mad? I could understand if it did.”
Ducarius smiled and reached up to caress Drexley’s cheek. “You have such kindness in you. There is one necromancer who can do the impossible. Adney’s Arch Lich resurrected Arvandus as a fallen knight. I know every sentinel, but I call Albrecht and Arvandus family. They are happy, I can assure you.”
Delighted that Ducarius was still touching him, Drexley rested his palm against the back of Ducarius’s hand. The other sentinel dragged his thumb across Drexley’s short goatee.
“The Arch Lich sounds as if he is more powerful and wonderful than Adney believes. I am thrilled to learn that Albrecht and Arvandus were reunited. Someday you must tell me how they became family to you. You must miss them.”
“I do. My family was the most important thing in my life. Now, they are tucked safely in second place. It would be remiss of me not to treasure my mate above everyone else.”
“I have had such luck in my life. That is what I am beginning to understand. Unlike many sentinels, I have had a joyful bond with my necromancer. And now Fate has brought you to my side. We have not known each other long, but already I feel at peace with you. I cannot explain it.”
“You do not have to; I understand. Before we met, I scoffed at the idea of meeting someone and immediately finding comfort in their presence. I believed when others professed anything similar in regard to their mates that they were being fanciful. Now I know they were being honest.”
Drexley was not sure what possessed him, but he leaned forward and softly brushed his lips against Ducarius’s. Jerking his head back, Drexley’s eyes widened.
“I apologize, I cannot imagine what came over me. I—”
“Shut up, Drexley,” Ducarius demanded. His hand moved from Drexley’s cheek to his nape, and he dragged him close. Their mouths met, and Drexley’s mind emptied completely. Every ounce of tension in his body dissolved, and he wrapped his arms around Ducarius. Ducarius’s lips were soft but firm. A muscular arm banded at his waist tugged Drexley even tighter against Ducarius.
A moan escaped Drexley as Ducarius’s tongue demanded entry. The other sentinel kissed as if it were a battle he intendedto win. His taste was somehow both sweet and tart. It was everything Drexley had imagined as he stroked himself at night. But reality was far more intense than any fantasy.
Drexley’s shaft hardened. It should have embarrassed him as he imagined Ducarius could not fail to notice. But Drexley was too lost in the passion Ducarius was so thoroughly stirring to have any room for awkwardness. Plus, as Drexley wriggled in Ducarius’s embrace to gain a bit of friction, he learned he was not alone.
Although Ducarius’s pants were roomy, they could disguise nothing with them pressed so intimately together. Like Drexley, the other sentinel was aroused. That realization did nothing to quell the fire building inside Drexley.
It stirred his desire instead.
To Drexley’s disgust, Ducarius ended the caress. He gently pressed a soft kiss to Drexley’s throbbing lips.
“I apologize, I did not intend to get so carried away,” Ducarius whispered.
“That was wonderful.”
“Agreed.”
“I hope you have no objection to doing that often.”
“None at all.”
Drexley grinned at Ducarius. “I do not know how we went from speaking of horrible tragedies to kissing fervently in what is left of Adney’s garden, but I am glad to know what passion feels like.”
“It is not the first time I have thought about being so close to you.”
“I guess you did not require my apology for being so bold.”
