Page 45 of The Missing Sentinel
“I apologize; I will work on being loathsome so you can frown and find no moments of joy as you face the hardest days of your life.”
“What if I lack the strength to handle everything I must face?”
“That is as likely as me marching you up to the top of this crumbling castle and pushing you off of it.”
“Why does that immediately spring to mind?” Drexley asked with a chuckle. “Have you already imagined doing that to me in the past?”
“I cannot lie, so I must answer yes.”
“To think I have thanked Fate for you.”
“Yes, well, you are stubborn, and it is irritating.”
“According to what I have read, Fate looked into your soul and mine. Something inside of us told her we were a perfect pair. So, I am stubborn because that fits you. Maybe it is because you are also tenacious.”
“Thank you for describing me as tenacious; it is a better word than stubborn, which is what you remain.”
“What did you call me last night? Ah, yes. Hateful man. That fits you right now. Also, stop distracting me. I want to wallow.”
“Fine. I was about to kiss you senseless, but instead I will push you away and go find something to entertain myself. I have another damn romance novel to finish today.”
Threading his fingers through Ducarius’s untidy hair, Drexley smiled. “I have decided wallowing can wait.”
“Good, I like the way you taste.”
Drexley had no hope of replying as his mouth was suddenly far too busy for conversation.
∞∞∞
Ducarius ate methodically and said nothing as his two dinner companions conversed. With a frown, Ducarius decided it was not, in fact, a conversation. Adney was grouchily and tirelessly rattling out an exhaustive list of complaints while Drexley did his best to soothe the crotchety necromancer.
It pissed Ducarius off to listen to anyone treat his mate so callously, but if he intervened, he was likely to get flak from both men. Drexley was quick to champion Adney’s right to act however he wanted in his realm, and the necromancer made it clear he had no use for Ducarius. The feeling was mutual.
Drexley was blissfully unaware that his memory was being stripped, and Ducarius had grave concerns about how the sentinel had been molded into a devoted scholar. Although Chander had freed the sentinels, centuries had passed where Drexley would have been at the mercy of whatever order Adney threw out. And now Drexley had no recollection of those days.
There was no driving need to reveal to Drexley how Adney was manipulating him. The atmosphere at the castle was grim, and Drexley was coping as best he could with the imminent demise of his lone family member. But the truth would not stay hidden forever. Once Ducarius was finally able to whisk his other half to safety and help heal his heart with the aid of the Darays, Drexley would regain those years.
It would not be easy for Drexley, and Ducarius resented everything awaiting the other sentinel in the future. Drexley would have to pick up the pieces without ever having the chance to confront Adney unless he shadow walked and tracked the man down. The necromancer would not be explaining hismotivation while alive, and Ducarius had his doubts his death would change shit. So, they would probably never know what had driven Adney to trap Drexley in a realm and control him.
Ducarius opted not to waste any brainpower delving into Adney’s state of mind. Too many necromancers were assholes, and that was just as likely an excuse as any other. At least Drexley would never again be in a similar situation. Ducarius almost hoped someone would try so they could taste the cold bite of his dagger against their throat as his poisoned blade painfully killed them.
Drexley glanced over, and his gaze widened at whatever expression Ducarius wore. To reassure his other half, Ducarius offered him a toothy grin. It did not work. Suspicion filled his lovely brown eyes, but he offered no comment. Of course, that may have been because Adney continued to bitch.
If Chander had not taught Ducarius some of the finer points of etiquette, the sentinel would have told Adney to shut up. Or at least recommend he conserve his energy by kindly suggesting he zip his lip. The truth was Ducarius probably would have said something because he was so sick of listening to it, but he already knew it would be a wasted effort.
In the weeks since Ducarius had arrived, the necromancer had never made it through an entire meal without voicing some complaint. Ducarius hoped to hell the poor hapless skeletons he resurrected were deaf as well as mute because they did not deserve to be berated daily.
“Drexley, help me to the library,” Adney ordered.
Despite not having finished even half of what was on his platter, Drexley rose swiftly and handed Adney his cane. It was not adequate to get Adney around any longer, but he insisted on holding it as he leaned heavily against Drexley. Of course, he would not be Adney if he did not order Drexley to move slower,than demand he walk faster in the next breath as they shuffled out.
The silence of the room was beautiful in Adney’s absence. But Ducarius had lost his appetite, so he rose. As swiftly as he could, Ducarius gathered the platters and goblets and brought them into the kitchen for the skeleton to wash. It was one of the few things Ducarius could do to help Drexley and the overworked skeleton, so the chore was one he looked forward to at the end of every meal.
Drexley hustled into the dining room and frowned severely at him.
“Stop cleaning,” Drexley ordered.
“No.”
