“Your plan seems well thought out. I think it’ll work. My thought was that Saura and I can each place a hand on a dragon and coax them to join us as we feel ourselves being pulled across the veil. I’d be more than happy to go first.”
“We’ll have to start calling you guys dragon whisperers when this is all over.”
Saura smiled; she was happy T’Eirick wanted to go across the veil before her. She’d be too nervous, and it might affect their plans. Seeing her mate’s success would buoy her own. “How excited are the Reverent Knights? What differences will an undead dragon shifter have from a normal living one?”
“They didn’t hesitate to be a part of this—they can’t wait to fly again. We’re not completely sure how they’ll differ. From the simulations Del has done, we know the dragons won’t have fallen knight abilities. So, when Drystan’s flying, he won’t be able to cast an invisibility spell, but how the beasts diverge from their living counterparts is something we’ll all discover together.”
“I must ask, has anyone had any objections to any part of our plans?” T’Eirick asked.
“The only objections I’ve heard are from your sons. I know they’d prefer your resurrection be permanent. I want you to know I can do that at any time,” Chander said.
“We appreciate that Chander, but as we’ve said before, Fate chose our path. Our sons deserve their rightful roles as leaders of what’s left of our people,” Saura told him.
“I get that and I’m not going to pester you about this, but I just want to take the opportunity to point out that I believe your intention before the war was to hand over your duties to them when they got older. You would’ve still been in their lives in that case.”
“Touché, my resurrecting friend. Let’s leave the argument to rest for now. We’ve agreed to help these dragons, and I’d like us to remain focused on that,” T’Eirick responded. He laughed as a black dragon bumped his head against him and nearly knocked him over.
“Anything else we need to discuss?” Saura asked.
“Yes, you should be warned. Resurrection comes with sickness. It’s going to take you up to three days to feel like this journey was worth it. For some people, there’s barely any symptoms at all, and for others there can be fatigue, nausea, vomiting, headache, or all of the above. I haven’t figured out why some people feel worse than others, but rarely do people make it through the process unscathed, so to speak.”
“That’s good to know. Will it be the same for the dragons?” Saura asked. She wasn’t pleased to find out she’d be feeling ill for several days but considering what her soul was being asked to do, it made sense it would have an impact on her physical being.
“Our simulators show it working a bit differently for the dragons. The Reverent Knights are going to be tranquilized just before we cast the spell and once their beasts are back where they belong, it will keep them comatose for up to three days.”
“So they’re taking fatigue to a whole new level?” T’Eirick asked.
“Exactly. And I have to tell you, my mate’s gleeful over the opportunity to tranquilize Drystan and Conley.”
“You didn’t tell us who your mate was,” Saura reminded him.
“Lich Sentinel Alaric Daray. He leads the Sentinel Brotherhood.”
“Sentinels. My goodness, they’re such an intriguing race. You kept yours with you over the centuries,” Saura said. She knew little about the elite assassins created by the Order of Necromancia more than a thousand years before the birth of the current Arch Lich.
“I did, and it turns out they’re mates. I was the only one who did until a few years ago when two more left their compound. That wasn’t enough for me and after I found out I was a demon, I freed them. They live amongst the Council and I enjoy them and cherish their newfound success in being afforded the opportunity to oversee part of the duties in keeping all of our people safe.”
“Saura, you can ask all the questions you want of him when we get to the other side. Chander said his time is short.”
“I know. I know I’m not helping, but I have so many questions.”
“One more thing before I go. You know your son’s relationship with his mate didn’t work out. He belonged to the Consilium Veneficus. If you’ve kept up over the centuries before you gave up your magic, you know they’re the antithesis of the Council and don’t share the same values. A few minutes ago we found out his mate has joined the Council along with two other dragons. Dre’Kariston’s still in a great deal of pain and has agreed to sign the paperwork designating Somerly as his mate, but he doesn’t want anything to do with him.”
Saura folded her arms over his chest. “Thank you for telling me. He’s definitely going to need me, and I can’t wait to meet his Somerly.”
“Any more questions before I leave?”
T’Eirick’s blue eyes met hers and he shrugged. “I think that’s it.”
“Great, the Emperor’s dying to meet you, and so is King D’Vairedraconis. Let’s do this.”
“Chander, thank you. For everything. We can’t begin to tell you what this means,” Saura said.
“Absolutely my pleasure. I’ll see you in a few minutes. Just don’t throw up on me.”
Saura let out a laugh as the vision of the Arch Lich disappeared. “Well, T’Eirick, everyone’s counting on us.”
“I’m enjoying the weight of responsibility on my shoulders once again.”
“It is nice to be in the position to help people again and not simply wandering around in the afterlife.”
“When we return, we’ll have to come up with some worthwhile goals to fill our days. We’ve been restless these past years since we gave our magic to our sons.”
Saura nodded. “I don’t regret it, though. I always intended for them to have it. I might have kept just enough to scry because I miss seeing them. It hurts not to know how their lives are going.”
“I know. It’s going to be hard to visit them knowing what we’ll lose in three months. But a visit is better than nothing at all.”
“And we have a great deal to fix, it seems. Our Dre’Kariston needs his mate, and we can’t let any issues with his familiar fester.”
T’Eirick’s face was somber. “No, look at what happened with ours. It still hurts.”
“I know, but we had no way of knowing our decisions would lead us here. We didn’t know how unhappy Eldwyn was, or things might’ve played out differently.”
“While that may be true, our deaths were inevitable. Carvallius was determined to have my title for himself.”
“Don’t get me going on that man, T’Eirick. I want to see my sons, not rant and rave for weeks on end.”
“I certainly don’t want either one of us flying into a temper over the murders of our people.”
“Do you think it’ll be awkward staying in a house with the Cwylld chieftain?”
T’Eirick’s brows drew together in concern. “Are you against the idea?”
“I’d die a thousand times again to see my children. No. They consider him family, so I’m prepared to do the same. I was just curious about your feelings on the matter.”
“I trust Dre’Kariston’s word that the current Cwylld chieftain isn’t a shadow of his parents. And while those elves held the spears and arrows that tore our lives from us, it was Carvallius’s evil hand who sent them to our castle. He was one of our own. That I will never forgive him for. Not to mention, he kidnapped our son and turned him into his horrid granddaughter’s familiar for over six centuries.”
“I agree. Now, let’s focus on happy things, shall we?” Saura asked.
“Of course. Let’s have a chat with our dragons and make sure they’re ready for all that will happen in the next few minutes.”
“Which one will you guide over, T’Eirick?”
“The black one seems to have chosen me to lead him. He’s been at my side all day.”
“And Reverent Knight Conley’s has picked me. Seeing the Arch Lich’s belief, I’m feeling more confi
dent about this plan.”
“I’ve been convinced from the start. I once believed our children to be the strongest sorcerers alive, but Chander has that distinction now, and he has the help of our sons along with their dark wizard. I don’t see how you can fail with so much magic.”
Saura leaned over and kissed her mate. “You’ve always been sure of a magical plan before you jump in with both feet.”
“While you’ve been the worrywart.”
“I’d hate for the Reverent Knights to miss out on this chance to have their dragons. I don’t want to fail them.” She reached out with a hand and smoothed it down the broad space between the golden dragon’s intelligent eyes. “Listen well, beast. Your Conley wishes to fly again. He can do a great many things that he needs you for. Follow me. Join with him once again in life. I know you can do it. Your soul is his and he belongs to you. Have no worry for your mate—he’s going to cross with T’Eirick first. You don’t want to be on this side of the veil alone now, do you?”
T’Eirick gave the black dragon the same bit of affection. “We’ll show them how it’s done, won’t we? Your Drystan will be so pleased, and think of all the stares you and your mate will earn on the other side. You’re both legends now, and there’s still no other golden dragon besides your mate. Imagine how it will feel to fly again when you feel the breeze caressing your scales. Do you remember the warmth of the sun? The feel of the earth beneath your feet?”
“Oh, T’Eirick, I can hardly believe we’ll be with our boys again.”
“Don’t cry, Saura.”
“They’re happy tears.”
“I’d rather hear your laugh than see you weep.”
“Then I know you’ll enjoy the next months, because I plan to fill my days with so much joy, I’ll have no choice but to laugh.”
“You might need a dash of stubbornness and stern words to get your son and his mate back together.”
“I’m up to the task.”
“Saura, there’s nothing you can’t do.”
“Good, let’s prove it. Come on, dragons. It’s time to cross this veil.”
Chapter 30
Dre’Kariston walked down the hallway of his home and while no one was speaking, the elation in the charged air was impossible to miss. Their group of sorcerers—who already had stellar success together—including an immortality spell—were excited to take on this incredible idea of Chander’s.
“You know, I never thought when I finally figured out how to reunite you guys with your dragons that I’d get to work with T’Eirick and Saura. In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have guessed I’d get to resurrect them,” Chander said as they arrived at the bedroom the Reverent Knights used whenever they visited. A second bed was added for T’Eirick and Saura’s temporary bodies to rest as they acclimated to being on this side of the veil. All the other furniture was moved against the walls to give the sorcerers plenty of space.
“Honestly, they weren’t fond of necromancy in life. I’m just as surprised as you that they’d want this. They must’ve learned as I did that your magic’s as true to Fate as mine,” Dra’Kaedan responded.
“I didn’t get the chance to know them very well. I was so young when they died. I’ve always wondered how different the Council would be if the war hadn’t happened or if we’d helped the warlocks. The elders wouldn’t hear of the Order of Necromancia being involved, and the other races weren’t any more willing. The druids wanted to, but at that time they had no spells for battle. It’s something Killian the Dwyer dedicated himself to afterward. I wonder if he still tries to craft them up in his tree with his sister running the show,” Chander remarked.
“Who knows? No one’s even seen him in centuries,” Drystan replied. “Okay, so you want us to just lie down or what?”
Alaric held his hand out and wiggled his fingers. “I’ll need your weapon first.”
“I really don’t like the zeal in his eyes,” Conley muttered as he laid his gun in Alaric’s outstretched palm. He sat on the bed and removed his shoes while his mate did the same. Within a few minutes, they were stretched out over the comforter.
“You know what’s going to be awesome?” Idris asked. “When Larissa makes you guys a new covering for your bed in your dragonskins.”
Larissa D’Vairedraconis was an incredible seamstress and dedicated herself to helping everyone in the house achieve the decor of their dreams. She also supplied the entire family and their friends with silly pajama bottoms they all loved.
“Aleksander’s probably going to sneak in here, so he can stare at Conley’s golden dragonskin,” Brogan commented.
“Con will have to shed his scales first, and I think we’ll keep the door locked because that’s kind of creepy,” Drystan said.
“Do I shoot yet or what?” Alaric asked.
Chander gave his mate an exasperated look. “You are way too into this.”
“Just do it,” Drystan ordered. “I love you, Con.”
“Love you too,” Conley replied as he patted Drystan’s arm. “Gonna miss those blue eyes.”
“I’ll be honest, I’ve missed the gold. Knock us out, Alaric, so I can see them again.”
Alaric picked up Drystan’s weapon from the nightstand where he’d placed it and handed it to Baxter. “We’ll shoot them at the same time. I’d prefer neither mate to have to watch the other being knocked out.”
“Hooray!” Baxter cheered as he accepted the tranquilizer gun.
“He always gets to have all the fun,” Benton grumbled.
“That’s because he’s a big baby, and none of us will hear the end of it if he’s not the one who gets to do it,” Chander replied.
Without further fanfare, the two sentinels pressed the weapons to the sides of the fallen knights on the bed and tranquilized them.
“Time for a crime spree—the Reverent Knights are out,” Renny joked.
“Except that one Venerable Knight’s in our living room and the other’s in Vegas. We wouldn’t get very far with that,” Dra’Kaedan said.
“Are we ready?” Delaney asked.
“T’Eirick wants to go first. That means Del, you’re up,” Chander instructed.
“I’m ready,” the wizard replied.
“Scher, we’re going to both keep a steady stream of healing magic into both guys until we figure out which beast it is. Renny, you and Brexton are going to use an illumination spell between the two beds, so we can see our fallen knights as the dragons enter them. We need to be able to act if something’s going wrong,” Dra’Kaedan said. “Vadimas is on hand to resupply your magic if need be. Remember, it’s going to hurt if he does since he’s a wizard so if you don’t overdo, you can save yourselves from the pain.”
“Idris, I’d like you to try and twist the dark and light magic around the dragons as they enter our fallen knights. The healing spells from Scher and Dra’Kaedan will have a calming effect on the beasts if they start to panic,” Chander explained.
“I can do that,” Idris promised.
“I can recharge Idris and Del as well, so you can use as much as you’d like,” Vadimas told him. “I’ll pitch in wherever necessary.”
“Questions?” Dre’Kariston asked.
When there were none, Chander took up a spot between both beds. He raised his head toward the ceiling and dramatically raised his arms wide. Then he shouted, “From the other side of the veil, I summon you.”
“You know if that were really the way you resurrected someone, you’d be the lamest necromancer alive,” Dra’Kaedan said.
Chander grinned. “Sorry, I don’t usually have this large of an audience. I couldn’t help myself.”
“He has the worst sense of humor,” Baxter remarked. His mate nodded next to him.
“For real this time, maybe?” Dre’Kariston asked.
“Absolutely.”
The Arch Lich lowered his arms to his sides and closed his eyes. Through the shirt patterned after the ones worn by the Acwellan elves his stunning wings—a mix of bla
ck and the chartreuse green of Alaric’s eyes—slowly unfurled from his back. Black smoke formed around his feet, and the words he used remained in his mind since he never uttered a peep. Next to him, Delaney’s brow furrowed and like Chander, he had a dark aura covering the wooden floors he was standing on.
On the empty bed, the shadow of a body formed. The person was of small stature, much like Dre’Kariston himself. Delaney cursed as the whites of his eyes disappeared and the lines on his arms glowed. Then a bubble formed above Drystan. The plan was to not allow the dragon to cross over the veil in full size but to keep it shrunk down so the beast couldn’t destroy their fallen knight. A pale glow turned into a bright burst of light as magic was pumped into Drystan.
Dra’Kaedan had elected to use his true form, and one side of his body was decorated in an intricate pattern of navy and gold. His pupils changed into blue dragon heads, and everything else was gilt. Scher’s transition to the appearance Fate gave them to better access their magic was less dramatic than his cousin’s. His skin was adorned with green, and he was gazing out of orbs of the same hue.
Switching his view back to the shadowy side of the room, a translucent version of his father was lying on the comforter. His gaze was transfixed as T’Eirick solidified, bit by bit. Dre’Kariston didn’t even realize he was crying until a tear dropped from his cheek and landed on his forearm. Above him a matte globe of the deepest black traveled toward Drystan. Idris’s indigo beam of magic shot out from his hands and coiled the dark magic with the light.
Drystan’s back arched as the bubble merged with his body. Skin tore and blood formed seconds before his brother and cousin healed it. The fallen knight and his dragon waged an epic battle as they became one entity. Dra’Kaedan muttered curse words as he threw more and more power at Drystan. It could have been minutes or hours that passed, but eventually the Reverent Knight’s muscles relaxed, and he lay there as placid as he was before they started.
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