Page 80 of The Missing Sentinel
“No, we are too stubborn to find some measure of accord,” Drexley argued. “Therefore, I have made a decree, and you have no choice but to accept it.”
“I offer this compromise. You may believe I am the most handsome man, while I agree that in my mind, you are the gorgeous one.”
“I suppose it is only fair to allow you to have an opinion on the matter, even if it is incorrect.”
Amused, Ducarius rubbed his thumb across Drexley’s cheek. “You are a pretty man, but not nearly as nice as you appear.”
“But you are in love with me anyway.”
“I can be perverse. Maybe that is why I love you.”
“Ah, one mystery of the universe is finally solved. Thank you for your insight; I appreciate no longer having to wrestle with the question of why you gave me your heart.”
“Happy to oblige you, love.”
“I was most happy with the recent way you obliged my aching shaft.”
“Pretty dirty talk for a scholar.”
“I know I am far too bold for a gentleman, but I find I like this emerging aspect of my personality.”
“Me too. Be bold, Drexley.”
“With you at my side, I fear little,” Drexley said. “And now I wear your ring. If my heart quivers in fear, I have a solid reminder that you are never far from me.”
“You have my vow that I will be at your side whenever you need me.”
Drexley brushed their lips together. “Not once have I doubted that. I am here for you too.”
“I know, Drexley, and I count on you just as much as you need me. We are partners. Equals. As Fate intended.”
“Yes, well, let us not discuss Fate yet. I am still angry that I can no longer enjoy a climax properly.”
Ducarius growled low in his throat. “Trust me, I know exactly how you feel.”
Eager to spend more of the night enjoying Drexley’s mouth, Ducarius pulled him closer and kissed him. It had been a delight to have their family spring a short sweet ceremony on them and give everyone a chance to feast on cake as they congratulated them. But the best part of their evening was making their first happy memories as a couple beneath the D’Vaire roof in the privacy of their bedroom.
Chapter 33
Drexley settled onto a thick blanket a few feet away from Chander. From a tote bag, Ducarius pulled out the book Drexley was currently reading and a container of cookies Brynnius had packed and handed them over. Ducarius gave him a smile and grabbed his daggers from his sides. A second later, Ducarius was locked in a fierce battle of blades with Cassius.
It was mildly upsetting to be in a gymnasium as sentinels trained. Drexley did not have to worry that his feelings would alarm Ducarius. They discussed everything thoroughly, including the unrelenting odd dreams plaguing Drexley.
Not even a weekend at D’Vaire could halt the nightmares. During the days at the mansion, Drexley had enjoyed himself immensely. He’d socialized mercilessly because he was determined to immerse himself fully in his new large family. They were so kind.
With his thumb, Drexley turned the exquisite mating band on his left ring finger. Teverild had already given them several lovely photos from their quick mating ceremony, and Drexley adored the sunny smile on Ducarius’s face. And his own.
There had been a few somber moments at the Arizona home owned by the High Kings. In addition to the floral wreaths that now rested on the low dresser in Drexley’s bedroom in LasVegas, the raven-haired mated pair of Dravyn and Killian had created a small memorial in the nearly endless gardens of the D’Vaire backyard. It included special flowers in Adney’s favorite shade of green and the gray of his eyes, and above them floated a spellbook with the necromancer’s name carved into it.
Now, whenever Drexley needed a moment to center himself and reflect on the man who had shaped him in the past five hundred years, there was a physical place he could go to at D’Vaire. But as Drexley had stood there staring at the beautiful monument, the only thing in his heart was guilt.
Because Drexley’s dreams were riddled with intense emotions. Resentment. Anger. Frustration. In the notebook Ducarius encouraged him to document his dreams in, the scenes were often repeated. Drexley’s mind provided vignettes of Adney giving him orders he could not refute—none of the words were clear, so he could not explain his reaction to them.
But whatever language Adney had used, it had left Drexley feeling trapped in the realm he’d believed was his cozy home. Although, on the one hand, Drexley was infuriated with the thought of his mind betraying his happy memories of his past, he had a growing curiosity about the dreams too. Was Ducarius right? Were they memories?
Drexley had dismissed the idea at first and humored his mate by writing about those first odd images. However, they had not relented. If anything, they had grown in strength and frequency as the days passed. It was why Drexley was uncomfortable in a gym with sentinels.
At night as he slept, there was another version of Drexley in control. One with the same messy hair as the other sentinels surrounding him. They didn’t bother combing it because there was no point if it would get messed up again in another hour, whipping their blades and bodies around.
