“We’re dead, son. Things work a bit differently. Why were you looking for the Reverent Knights’ dragons?” T’Eirick asked.
“How did you know they were the Reverent Knights’ dragons?” Chander inquired.
“We used our magic to scry all the time when we could, Chander. We kept up with you and all the other people we knew. We saw you resurrect and create the Order of the Fallen Knights, then watched you tear yourself up over the decision to separate the pair. I hope you’ve stopped blaming yourself,” Saura answered.
“Most of the time I have. It’s easier now that they are finally reunited, but I want more. I want to find a way to make them dragons again. That’s one of the reasons we came to find you. We wanted you and your warlocks to see if you could track them down. I had no idea we’d see their beasts today.”
“Glad to hear you got Conley’s body back…but making them dragons again is a rather daunting task. Have you crafted a spell to do it?” T’Eirick asked.
“High Arcanist Delaney D’Vaire is the world’s only dark wizard, and he made a spell to unite fallen knights with their beasts as they’re resurrected. I thought we could use that to craft a more specific one for the Reverent Knights,” Chander explained.
“I think you might find an issue with convincing a dragon to merge with a living, breathing man. They instinctively wish to protect their shifter,” T’Eirick argued.
“Do you have a suggestion?” Chander asked.
“I do. I think you could coax them over with the help of people they’re connected to on this side,” T’Eirick replied.
Chander drew his brows together. “How exactly?”
T’Eirick turned to Saura who smiled. She nodded at her mate; then T’Eirick faced Chander again. “Resurrect Saura and I. We’ll pull the dragons over with us.”
“Let’s do it,” Dre’Kariston blurted out. He didn’t even care if the dragon thing worked; he wanted his parents.
“Only a temporary resurrection,” Saura corrected. “Fate picked us to cross the veil for a reason. The warlocks belong to you and your brother. Think of it as us coming for a visit. A short one. We can help the Reverent Knights get their dragons, and then we return home. Chander, you’ll need to have your spell ready to cast so we can tug the dragons across the veil as we are yanked across ourselves.”
“I don’t think it’ll take us long to perfect it—we have an amazing group of sorcerers who will work around the clock,” Chander promised. “I can pop back here to tell you when we’re ready, so you’ll know it’s coming.”
“Fine. I’m sure our time’s nearly up, but I need to know one thing before you two return,” Saura replied. She turned to Dre’Kariston. “I’m proud of you. Darkness is where you belong. But honey, tell me who hurt you.”
“Who hurt me?” he echoed.
“You’re my baby boy. You think I don’t know when you’re miserable?”
“There’s no time.”
“Dre’Kariston.” She didn’t need to say anything more than his name. Dre’Kariston knew she meant business.
“I met my mate. It…it didn’t work out.”
“Well, then, it’s a good thing we’ll be coming for a visit,” she said with a stern look as she straightened her spine. “Your father and I will fix it.”
“It can’t be fixed,” Dre’Kariston argued. There was no way he’d ever continue a relationship with a married man with children. It was unfair to everyone involved, and his heart simply couldn’t handle not having all of Somerly.
“I hope it’s all right with your king if we come to your home,” T’Eirick said.
“Aleksander will be fine with it. You guys are the only ones who can keep Dra’Kaedan in line.”
“He has your temper, Saura,” T’Eirick said. “Tell your king we’ll stay for three months.”
“Three months is too short,” Dre’Kariston argued.
“Give us a hug, dear,” Saura ordered. She embraced him tightly. “I love you. You and your brother are everything to us.”
“I love you too. I miss you so damn much,” Dre’Kariston whispered as his eyes welled. She stepped aside so T’Eirick could have a turn.
“You were braver than I when choosing your path. Embrace it. I love you,” his father told him.
Behind the pair, a set of portals appeared almost at the exact same time. Saura and T’Eirick hugged Chander, then shooed them toward the magical doors.
“Go on, love. We’ll see you soon,” Saura said as T’Eirick wrapped an arm around her. She held on to him and as Dre’Kariston walked away, the sky filled with fire as the dragons made their way back to wherever their short flight took them. Turning back, he kept his gaze locked on his parents for as long as possible as he stepped back across the veil. Dre’Kariston’s plan was to work on the spell for the Reverent Knights day and night, so he could have Saura and T’Eirick back at his side. It would give him the chance to do all he could to convince them that what they truly needed was a permanent resurrection.
Chapter 23
“I think this is it,” Lex said.
“The edge of Ethelin land?” Somerly asked.
“Whatever you do, don’t stop. I’ve waited too long to get dragged back now,” Worth retorted.
“I have no intention of stopping,” Lex assured him as the car picked up a little speed. Somerly willed the vehicle to get them across the boundary of his father’s territory. The three men were silent as Lex cruised toward freedom. There was a sign in the distance and it was white, unlike the deep brown of King Ethelindraconis’s preferred color.
“That’s a human sign,” Worth commented.
“We made it,” Lex enthused. His voice was full of good cheer and a healthy dose of awe.
“Where do we find a human police station?” Somerly asked his traveling companions.
“I guess we can look for a sign, or perhaps we could find someone to ask,” Lex suggested.
“If we broke a law, they’d come running for us. Speed up and see if we can’t get them on our tail,” Worth responded.
Somerly was aghast. “You want us to break the law to speak with the humans? I’m not sure that’s the best way to make their acquaintance.”
“It would save us the trouble of wandering for hours to find them ourselves,” Worth replied with a negligent shrug.
“If we piss them off, they may send us back to where we came from,” Lex argued as he took his eyes off the road for a minute to glare at Worth.
“Lex, maybe we should drop Worth off somewhere. We’ve taken him to where we promised we would—there’s no reason to keep him with us,” Somerly proposed. It was only now occurring to him that Worth was a complete stranger, and they had no idea what evil plans might reside in his mind.
“If you believe for one minute I’ll allow you to drop me off on the side of the road while you cruise on to get help from the humans, you’re sorely mistaken,” Worth shot out.
“This is my car and if I tell you to get out, you damn well better,” Lex countered.
“Come on, lads. I thought we were friends now. We all have the same goal. Each of us needs the humans to be saved from Boian’s clutches,” Worth said.
“What if you have nefarious plans for Lex and me?”
“There are two of you to one of me, and you’re both dragons. What do you possibly think I can manage to do?” Worth demanded.
“Hold on,” Lex shouted. “Shut up. There’s a sign for a police station.”
Worth let out a whoop, and Somerly’s palms grew damp. He filled with terror at the idea that the human authorities might not help them and would instead call his father. King Boian’s reaction to finding out his only living son was trying to escape wouldn’t be one Somerly wished to see. “It’s just up ahead,” he assured Lex with a calm he didn’t feel.
“Relax, Somerly. This is a good thing. I can’t believe we found one so easily.”
“Probably had to put one here to deal with all the dragons running away from Boian�
��s craziness,” Worth muttered.
Silence once again reigned in their vehicle as Lex followed the road toward the police. It led them to a medium-sized building with red bricks that had a bright blue sign on it. Lex pulled in and found a parking space marked for visitors. When the car came to a complete stop, Lex shut it off. No one in the car moved, and Somerly swiped his sweaty hands on his jeans.
Worth let out a forced chuckle. “Why have none of us moved?”
“Let’s go,” Lex ordered as he undid his seat belt and eased out of the car. Somerly released the button, and his own seat belt retreated. He exited the vehicle and stood. After slamming the door, he bumped into Worth as he strode over to the station. With a murmured apology, and getting his feet back into motion, he tried to rein in his nerves.
“Please, Fate. Make this work,” Worth whispered. He peered up at their new companion, whose head was tilted back toward the sky.
“They’ll help us, no worries,” Lex assured them as they made their way forward. When they got to the brick façade, Lex pulled open the glass door and ushered them inside.
“Can I help you?” the woman behind a long desk asked as soon as they walked in. There were humans behind her rushing about as about a million phones rang in the large space beyond her.
“Yes, we need your help. My name is Lex Ethelindraconis. These are my friends, Somerly and Worth. We’re dragon shifters. We don’t know the process, but it’s important we contact the Council of Sorcery and Shifters. We wish to join them.”
She pursed her lips. “Have a seat. I’ll see if there’s anyone here who can assist you.”
The three men shuffled over to a long, hard bench and did as they were told. Somerly turned his panicked gaze toward Lex. His best friend patted him on the knee. “It’ll be okay. I promise.”
“Okay,” Somerly whispered back.
“If nothing else, we can offer Worth here as a sacrifice and run like hell.”
“Chivalry’s dead,” Worth declared.
“You’d do the same given the chance,” Lex retorted.
Before Worth could respond, a man not much taller than Somerly strode toward them. “Are you the dragons?”
“Yes sir, we are,” Worth said as they stood.
“Come with me,” the man ordered. He led them down a maze of hallways where they dodged people like an obstacle course. When he arrived at his destination, the man came to a halt and ushered them into a small room. “Have a seat.”
Each one of them grabbed a chair in the cramped space as did the police officer. Once everyone was settled, the human pulled out a notepad.
“Are you going to help us?” Lex asked.
“Let’s begin, shall we? I’m Sergeant Robert Brown and what information you give me determines what assistance I can offer. Now, I’d like your identification cards please.”
Somerly yanked his wallet from his pocket and with shaking hands fished out the card his father gave him. He handed it over to Sergeant Brown. Lex handed over a similar one—though his had less gilt since he wasn’t ranked as high.
“And you, sir?” Sergeant Brown asked Worth.
Worth lifted his chin. “I have no identification.”
“Perhaps you’d care to explain why?”
“No one ever issued it to me.”
The police officer’s eyes narrowed. “You have your eyes covered. How am I to know you’re truly a dragon?”
Without any hesitation, Worth pulled off the hood covering him. Somerly sucked in a breath. “What the fuck?” he blurted out.
“I know my eyes are weird, but I assure you I’m a dragon,” Worth responded with an annoyed glare.
“Those are human eyes with scales over them. Are you a hybrid?” Lex asked.
“No, full-blood dragon. Like I said, I can’t explain the strangeness of my eyes.”
Somerly barely felt his chair hit the back of his knees as he angrily got to his feet. “Is this some kind of sick fucking joke?”
“If it is a joke, surely it’s one on me. I have no idea why it’s got you so upset,” Worth growled.
“I’m not talking about your fucking eyes,” Somerly shouted. “I’m talking about your whole face. The hair. All of it. How’s this possible?”
Lex’s brows drew together in confusion. “What’s wrong with his face Somerly? Except for the unique eyes, I don’t see anything to get upset about. In fact, he’s very handsome.”
Worth winked at Lex. “You aren’t so bad yourself.”
“Of course he’s handsome. He looks just like Aleksander.” Somerly pointed a finger at Worth. “I don’t know how you’ve done it. Your hair lacks the blue, but it’s black just like his. Yours is a bit shorter and hangs over your eyes, but it doesn’t hide the resemblance. How can you look so much like him? The same nose, strong jaw, and cheekbones. You’re practically a twin to him.”
Worth turned to Lex and lifted one dark brow. “Is this Aleksander a friend of his?”
“King Aleksander D’Vairedraconis is the one I’m speaking of,” Somerly hollered. “How do you have his face?”
“D’Vaire? The cursed one? If he bears any resemblance to me, I don’t see how he can truly be cursed unless he’s beating off the men with sticks. I’m damn fine-looking,” Worth argued.
“And gay, I take it?” Lex asked.
Sergeant Brown got to his feet. “Gentlemen, let’s calm down. Prince Somerly, would you mind having a seat?”
With a glare toward Worth and whatever trick he was playing making his appearance match his father’s enemy, Somerly slowly lowered his butt back into the chair. “I want to know what the fuck is going on,” he demanded.
“We all do,” Sergeant Brown replied; then his attention returned to Worth. “Now, I can see you’re a dragon. I don’t care about the color, but I do need your full name for the record if I’m to do anything to help you.”
Worth turned to Somerly with a coy look. “Prince Worthington Ethelindraconis.”
“What do you mean Prince?” Somerly spat.
“Didn’t dear old dad tell you about me, Somerly? You were born shortly after I was kicked out of the house after my first shift. Can’t have a dragon like me for a son. Told the entire court I was dead. Meanwhile, I was locked up and told never to reveal my identity.”
Somerly’s mouth dropped open but he managed to close it. “He told me I had a brother who didn’t survive his first shift.”
Worth leaned in. “He lied.”
“So the pair of you are brothers,” Sergeant Brown stated as he scribbled on his pad. His tone was flat, and he was unperturbed by the charged air in the room. “What about you, Lord Lex? Any relation to the princes here?”
“No, my father’s a duke. No relation,” Lex replied.
“Tell me Somerly, how is it that you know what King D’Vairedraconis looks like anyway? The hated enemy of dear old dad isn’t someone you’d be likely to meet,” Worth sneered.
Somerly straightened his spine. He didn’t know what was going on or why Worth appeared so similar to Aleksander, but he wasn’t going to take his attitude. “Not only have I met him, I’ve been visiting his home for months. My mate lives there at D’Vaire.”
Both of Worth’s brows shot up this time. “Your mate? I’m surprised Boian even taught you the word. Let alone the meaning of it.”
His words cut deep. Somerly hadn’t been properly taught about matebonds, and he was certainly paying the price for his ignorance. The way he’d hurt Dre’Kariston was tearing him apart, and he was desperate to return to his side. “I’ve learned on my own what it means to love a mate,” he whispered.
“Leave him be,” Lex ordered. “He’s in quite a spot with his mate. Sergeant Brown, the man Fate paired Somerly here with is Grand Summoner Dre’Kariston D’Vaire. They’re at odds, but I thought the information might help.”
Sergeant Brown got to his feet. “I’m going to draw up some paperwork and contact the Office of the Emperor. Prince Worthington, I’ll need you to fo
llow me, so we can take a picture of you.”
Worth stood to follow him. “Will you be helping us, then? We’re rather keen to join the Council.”
The police officer smiled. “Rest easy, gentlemen. Emperor Draconis pays handsomely to make sure we send any dragon to him. He’s made it clear to all levels of our government that he’s quite eager to get the lot of you into his care. The man himself calls the stations closest to the three dragon courts on this continent regularly. It might take us some time to make arrangements and book your flights, but you’ll definitely be going to the Council.”
“See, Somerly? I told you the Emperor wants to help all dragons,” Lex crowed.
Confused, heartsick, and worried, Somerly just nodded. He was grateful the humans were going to help. Of course getting to the Council of Sorcery and Shifters was only step one, and the road ahead to gaining Dre’Kariston’s trust was going to be an uphill climb. But Somerly was determined to convince Dre’Kariston he was more than a foolish dragon who’d trusted his father to make all his decisions. From this point forward, he was going to be ruled only by the deep well of love he had for his mate. Lex squeezed his arm good-naturedly, and Somerly smiled to disguise the tumult inside him.
“Thanks for doing this with me.”
“This is for all of us, Somerly. And don’t worry, we’ll find a way to make Dre’Kariston understand.”
With another bob of his head, Somerly agreed with a confidence he didn’t feel. But he didn’t need to say it out loud. Lex knew him too well not to know what a mess was festering in his soul.
“You’ve got a brother.”
“Why would Dad tell me he was dead? And why does he look like King Aleksander’s twin?”
Lex shrugged. “I have no notion, and his eyes are weird.”
“Another thing he shares with the D’Vaire king.”
“I’m just glad the humans aim to help us.”
“Me too,” Somerly replied. He greatly feared he might not ever get the answers to all the swirling questions in the air and wasn’t even sure he’d like them if he did. It was difficult to face that his entire life might very well be a lie. Somerly’s brain was overloaded, and he had a headache of epic proportions brewing. It was not an auspicious start to his journey.
The Summoner's Path (D'Vaire, Book 10) Page 17