Page 77 of The Missing Sentinel
“You truly believe my strange dreams were memories?” Drexley asked, unsure if he wanted them to be. He doubted he had any choice in the matter either way. Drexley did not need to be told that Ducarius had opinions he did not want to share about the past, but his mate was a stubborn man who would reveal nothing until he was ready. Although Drexley respected him for it, it was also annoying.
“I do, and I will offer you the same advice Chand once gave us,” Ducarius said. “Write it down. Discuss it. I am here for you and will talk about every minute aspect. Respect that they may be memories and trust yourself. You cannot lie. Neither will your memories.”
Unsure if he was prepared for the unraveling of ancient recollections if they were going to haunt his nights in odd fragments that confused him, Drexley nodded. “I am not sure yetif they are memories, but I can pen them if you believe it will aid me.”
Ducarius gave him a soft kiss and hopped up. “I will grab a notebook and pen for you.”
Chapter 32
Withholding anything from Drexley was not something Ducarius relished, but he refused to interfere in the other sentinel’s memories. Nearly every morning, Drexley woke with dread, guilt, and confusion. The past was quickly catching up with him, though Drexley was not yet convinced they were memories.
They remained fragmented, and Drexley struggled to make sense of them. Ducarius listened to him patiently without judgement, and Drexley penned each one to paper. Eventually they would connect as Ducarius’s recollections had after the spell sapping the compound was removed.
Ducarius would be at Drexley’s side to hold him close and offer whatever he needed throughout the entire process. Although Ducarius did not know exactly what Drexley had experienced, he had theories, and Adney played the villain in each. But Ducarius was keeping that to himself.
At least Drexley had good things to focus on as he dealt with his grief. Their new bedroom was complete, and Drexley had glowed with satisfaction as they viewed the beautiful changes. Ducarius doubted anyone else had anything as wonderful as what they’d chosen together, and since they were headed to D’Vaire for the weekend, he intended to workwith Drexley again to redesign their permanent guest room at Aleksander and Rafe’s mansion.
For now, they would sleep in a gray monstrosity. That didn’t bother Ducarius. As long as he was with Drexley, he didn’t care what color the sheets were or what shade of paint covered the walls.
“Are you ready to leave?” Drexley asked, emerging from the bathroom in khaki pants and a green-and-white striped shirt.
“Yes,” Ducarius replied, grabbing their suitcase and his mate’s hand to lead them downstairs.
“About time,” Dra’Kaedan called out as he spotted them. “I was about to come up there and sneak in to watch whatever was keeping you two from joining us.”
“Seriously?” Brogan muttered. “If I said that, I’d probably get set on fire.”
“You are a dragon. Like your mate, you can wield fire,” Alaric stated. “If he threatens you, do the same to him.”
“Why haven’t you figured out yet that they like to find reasons to fight?” Baxter asked. “It’s foreplay for them.”
“Please teleport us to D’Vaire before they start spelling,” Vellerynd begged.
“Or Bax begins to brag about his dick and I have to kill him,” Ducarius drawled.
“I’m going to teleport everyone to D’Vaire,” Dra’Kaedan said. “Drexley, you’ll be bombarded with names and titles. Don't worry if you can’t remember it all; there’s no test, and we’ll help you out.”
“Thank you, I appreciate your kindness,” Drexley replied with a grateful smile. “I am eager to meet everyone.”
Dra’Kaedan flashed a smile at Drexley. “They’re all eager to meet you too. Okay, everybody. Close your eyes andremember to keep your thoughts focused on your clothes so they make the journey too.”
“He is joking,” Ducarius told Drexley through their mindlink. As the ground disappeared beneath Ducarius’s feet, Drexley’s laughter filtered through his head.
“I can sense untruths just as you can.”
“If anyone could ever mislead a sentinel’s senses, it would be the mischievous Grand Warlock.”
They arrived outside the front door at D’Vaire, and Drexley’s lips landed on Ducarius’s as he opened his eyes. Someone yanked hard on the suitcase in Ducarius’s hand, and he turned to glare at Cassius.
“What are you doing?”
“Chand, do something,” Cassius pleaded.
“Give your suitcase to Cass,” Chander ordered. “We have a surprise for you and Drexley.”
“Everybody, follow me to the backyard,” Dra’Kaedan instructed as Brogan whipped open the front door of the mansion.
“Do you know anything about this surprise?” Ducarius asked Drexley privately.
