Page 50 of The Missing Sentinel
Given the ruthlessness of that decision, Ducarius would not be surprised to discover that part of Drexley’s metamorphosis was rooted in direct orders he could not refute. It gave Ducarius no pleasure to know that he would learn the truth someday. They would leave Adney’s realm. Drexley would recall every day of his life eventually.
Since Drexley loved Adney, being confronted with reality would not be easy for him to endure. It would be up to Drexley to pick up the pieces, and Ducarius would be there to help him.
But he could not spare his mate the pain.
Irritated anew at the entire situation, Ducarius stalked up to the top of the castle to do some training. More of it had dissolved into nothing, and there was no land left surroundingthe dwindling structure. While the two bottom floors remained fully intact, that too was temporary. Ducarius grabbed the blades at his sides and summoned his hologram.
Flexing his thighs, he swung a foot around and caught his opponent in the midsection. The translucent version of him teleported away, and they began anew. It was an unsatisfying way to fight, and Ducarius missed pitting himself against a living opponent. But not nearly as much as he yearned to be with his family again.
Ducarius wanted to taste Victor’s fine fare at mealtimes, listen to the Darays chat as they caught each other up on important moments in their lives, or sprawl in a chair for a movie night. He could already envision the relief in Alaric’s eyes as he finally learned what had become of Drexley.
The other Darays would adore Drexley. Ducarius could easily imagine him delighting in Brynnius’s baking or planning his costume for their annual All Hallow’s Eve party. Or perhaps Drexley would enjoy a night of pampering with Victor, Keegan, and one of the two men who served as office managers at the Sentinel Brotherhood, Evergreen Tenebri.
But before Drexley could familiarize himself with the world of the Council, they had to say goodbye to Adney and his realm. Ducarius wondered where the hell they would land as the realm disappeared. How badly would they be injured? It was pointless to hope Adney or Drexley would change their minds prior to the situation growing perilous.
Both men were stubborn, and Adney was determined to end things in his own fashion. Ducarius could appreciate him wanting his last wishes followed but feared that Adney’s choice of path would not make anything easier for anyone involved.
Ducarius slashed his right arm through the air and barely missed his hologram’s throat. A prickling of his senses told him he wasn’t alone, and he turned to smile at his mate. Crossingwhat now served as the roof of the castle, Ducarius whispered the word to make his daggers float at his sides.
Drexley returned his grin, and Ducarius cupped his nape to tug him close for a kiss.
“What are you doing up here?”
“I missed you.”
“And you are worried about Adney.”
“A few days ago, he took a nap and went to bed after dinner. Today he was up only long enough to eat. Every other moment he was asleep. I know, I checked in on him more than once.”
“I wish I had some words of comfort to offer you,” Ducarius said as he shifted his hand so he could stroke Drexley’s jaw and cheek. The situation left him feeling inadequate thanks to his inability to ease Drexley’s pain.
“I find being with you is a comfort,” Drexley responded, moving forward to burrow into Ducarius.
Wrapping his arms around Drexley, Ducarius held him close and did what he could to soothe him. “I am so happy I fell into this damnable realm. If I had not, you would endure this all alone. It breaks my heart to even contemplate that version of events.”
“Then do not think of it. We are together. As Fate intended.”
“She has offered me endless bounty, but you are the finest gift possible.”
Drexley smiled, and his eyes were damp as he pressed his lips gently to Ducarius’s. “For a barbaric dagger-toting assassin, you have a lovely way with words.”
“For a scholar, you have a gorgeous cock.”
As Ducarius had intended, Drexley laughed. “You make my heart happy.”
Ducarius kissed Drexley’s grin. “My heart is yours,” Ducarius vowed as he pulled away to take Drexley’s hand. “Come. We should go inside and find a way to entertain ourselves before I take you to bed. Pick out a book for me, but no romances. They are far too steamy for me right now. I keep imagining us as the ones in the story, and I grow hard. You are temptation enough; I require no extra fuel this evening.”
“Very well, history or magic?”
Ducarius doubted there was a single accurate history book in Adney’s realm, and even if they had some facts in them, they were now hopelessly out of date. Learning about magic was virtually useless since he lacked sorcery, but perhaps the knowledge would come in handy someday. Like in some future conversation where he could stump another sentinel with the slick new facts in his brain.
“Magic.”
“Good choice. I will pick one of my favorites. Hopefully, you will enjoy it.”
“Choose wisely or I will complain fiercely.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
