Page 64 of The Missing Sentinel
“Would you like me to introduce you to everyone?”
Hustling over to Ducarius’s side, Drexley clung to his arm as Ducarius painstaking went through the titles and names of every Daray crammed into the hall.
Victor clapped his hands together. “Everyone, come downstairs. Brynn, maybe you and Sam could grab some sweets for everyone? We can take a seat in the living room. Would anyone like to help me grab drinks?”
“How are you holding up?” Ducarius asked Drexley through their mindlink as Darays immediately followed Victor’s orders and funneled down the stairs to the living area.
“I am happy you are with your family again.”
Ducarius didn’t budge or follow the rest of the Darays. He wasn’t going anywhere until he was sure his other half was okay. “But how are you doing?”
“Overwhelmed.”
“I understand. They are wonderful, but there are many of them and only one of you. It will take time for you to grow comfortable. They will have a lot of questions. Answer nothing you do not want to. We can either ignore them or tell them we can answer it later. Or if you prefer, I can field their queries.”
“Questions are to be expected.”
“Yes, but you have already been through an ordeal today, and there is no rush. I like the shirt you chose.”
“It might be foolish, but it made me feel closer to you. It is weird not to wear a robe. I like these things though. They are like what the others are wearing.”
Ducarius smiled and kissed Drexley’s cheek. “Are you ready to go downstairs?”
“Yes.”
With Drexley’s hand securely in his, Ducarius headed for the stairs. “You do not have to eat if you are not hungry.”
“I would not mind a sweet.”
“Good, you will not be disappointed. Brynn is a wonderful baker.”
Victor grinned at them when they reached the living room. “Go have a seat; we saved a big chair for you two to share. What do you want to drink?” Victor asked as he shooed them to the chair. Ducarius tugged Drexley onto his lap.
It was morning for Ducarius, but he had essentially lived in the sixteenth century for the past few weeks. Being wealthy,Adney had preferred wine, and it was served with every meal. Ducarius was sick of it as it had never been one of his favorites.
“I would love a beer,” Ducarius replied. “Drexley, would you like a glass of wine? Victor is excellent at selecting them.”
“That would be nice,” Drexley said. “Thank you, Victor.”
“My pleasure. Congratulations on your matebond.”
Samson handed Drexley a plate of chocolate chip cookies as they thanked Victor and everyone chorused his congratulatory sentiments. Ducarius snagged a cookie, but he wanted Drexley to have the rest.
The room was eerily silent. A most unusual circumstance for the Daray condo, and it would not be long before Albrecht complained about the awkwardness.
“Go ahead,” Ducarius said after swallowing a delicious bite. “Start with your questions.”
“And stop pretending to be on your best behavior,” Albrecht griped from beneath the cloak he preferred to wear even at home. “It is irritating. Be yourselves. Drexley will discover how annoying you are eventually anyway.”
Chander slapped his beer onto the coffee table. “Let’s start with the obvious. Where the hell have you been, and why didn’t you at least call us?”
“I was trying to find Drexley, and I discovered a magical anomaly,” Ducarius explained. “The magic had weakened, and I essentially fell into a private realm. I dropped my damn phone and did not have it. The necromancer who created it had crafted a spell which did not allow anyone but him to leave it.”
“You were prisoners?” Alaric asked, his face contorting into a scowl.
“It was Drexley’s home,” Ducarius said. He could not lie. As far as Ducarius was concerned, Drexley likely was a prisoner, but his mate had yet to discover the truth of how he had arrivedat the realm or why Adney was so concerned that anyone would leave.
“My necromancer created it in his youth,” Drexley commented softly. “After his son was murdered, he feared for his own life. So, he wanted to escape to his realm to remain safe. He summoned me, and I lived with him. Until…well, until…”
