“With myself right along next to you.”
“I’m sorry about Vadimas’s news.”
“Lex did try to warn me all these years my father wasn’t a good one,” Somerly joked lamely.
“It’s okay to hurt, you know. The entire vision of your life is changing.”
“Which makes me feel doubly foolish for breaking your heart.”
“My heart’s been telling me all day not to be an idiot by pushing you away.”
Somerly took a step closer to him so only inches separated them. “I’ll make you a promise never to keep the truth from you again in the future. From now on, there’ll be no secrets.”
“I wish you’d told me everything from the beginning, but I do understand the position you were in. You believed being with me was selfish when your entire court was counting on you.”
“It didn’t sit well inside me. Not for one moment did I want to be anywhere but with you.”
Dre’Kariston closed the distance between them and cupped Somerly’s face in his hands. Somerly reached out and set his own on Dre’Kariston’s hips. “I think we deserve a second chance,” the warlock whispered.
“A second one’s all we need to be happy,” Somerly assured him, then pressed their lips together. Dre’Kariston responded by taking charge of the kiss and darting his tongue inside Somerly’s welcoming mouth.
Despite his weariness, Somerly’s body responded instantly. His muscles relaxed, and he snaked his arms around Dre’Kariston as his cock filled with blood. They were both tired, but they needed this connection. Somerly ached for a physical reminder that Dre’Kariston was his mate. The thought of the passion they’d shared before their break-up made him moan.
Unfortunately, that had the effect of Dre’Kariston pulling away and ending their caress. Before Somerly could offer any complaint, Dre’Kariston released him. He took two steps away and turned back with a smile. “I think we should take this to the bed before we both fall down.”
Those words were music to Somerly’s ears. He ripped off his shoes and socks, then yanked his T-shirt over his head. He shucked his jeans and underwear down. Stepping out of them, he vaulted himself onto the mattress.
“A little eager?”
“You’ve no idea. Now hurry.”
In a much more leisurely fashion, Dre’Kariston undressed. While Somerly was indeed eager to have sex, he didn’t mind Dre’Kariston taking his time. It allowed him to enjoy each inch of skin he unveiled. His warlock was well-formed with defined muscles, and Somerly particularly loved the cock jutting out from its nest of dark curls. He licked his lips and decided what he needed most was to have it in his mouth.
When Dre’Kariston was finally naked, he climbed onto the bed and over Somerly. He kissed him and Somerly wrapped his arms around him again. For several minutes he just enjoyed having him close. But since he was hard and ready, he rutted against the lithe form. Realizing that if he continued he would come, Somerly tensed. Dre’Kariston, always attuned to him, noticed immediately.
“You okay?”
“I want to suck you off.”
One black brow lifted. “Did you think I’d argue?”
“Lie on your back so I can go about it.”
“Getting a little bossy there, aren’t you?” Dre’Kariston asked as he rolled off Somerly and got comfortable on the bed with his knees bent and legs spread wide. Somerly scrambled to get between them and ran his palms up his calves. He liked the tickly feel of Dre’Kariston’s leg hair against his skin.
He glanced up and met Dre’Kariston’s amused eyes. “The Grand Summoner likes to be in charge during sex.”
“You’ve never complained before,” he teased.
Somerly bent over and swiped his tongue over the head of Dre’Kariston’s dick as he gripped his hips to keep his balance. “That’s because I like it,” he whispered, then sucked down Dre’Kariston’s entire length. He wasn’t going to take things slow; he used the muscles of his throat to swallow the head.
“Uh huh,” was the only reply from Dre’Kariston. Somerly was glad his mate was lacking any fancy articulation. He was using every trick in his arsenal to get Dre’Kariston off as quickly as possible. Flattening his tongue, he tried his best to stimulate every nerve ending on Dre’Kariston’s cock. The warlock groaned and thrust his pelvis upward in tiny motions that forced him deeper into Somerly’s mouth but weren’t vigorous enough to choke him. As always, Dre’Kariston was a kind and considerate lover.
Somerly hummed as he worked Dre’Kariston’s length over. His own sex was throbbing with the need for release, but Somerly ignored it. He worried only about Dre’Kariston’s satisfaction. Letting go of his hold on Dre’Kariston, he used one hand to fondle his slightly furred balls. Dre’Kariston responded by making a noise somewhere between a moan and a growl. Dre’Kariston freed his fingers from where he’d entangled them in the sheet and grabbed a thick chunk of Somerly’s hair.
His hold wasn’t painful, and Somerly loved his rising desperation. Sucking his cheeks in, he increased the pressure on Dre’Kariston’s dick. That motion was apparently enough for the warlock, because he let out a roar as his entire body tensed. His come hit Somerly’s tongue and he expertly gulped it all down. Not wanting to let him go, Somerly continued to suckle gently as Dre’Kariston slowly relaxed his body.
Dre’Kariston tugged on his tresses gently. “Get up here.”
Reluctantly Somerly allowed Dre’Kariston to slide free. Dre’Kariston reached down and hauled him upward. He thrust his tongue into Somerly’s mouth in a hungry kiss. Dre’Kariston was enjoying the taste of his essence, and they both reveled in it. Their bodies touched as Somerly lowered himself down next to Dre’Kariston. It was like setting a match to a fire, Somerly was so desperate for fulfillment. Dre’Kariston sensed his neediness and wrapped Somerly’s dick into his fist. There was no toying around; he jerked him with a strong grip.
It drove Somerly wild and with their lips still locked, he gave himself over to the pleasure building inside him. Electricity raced down his spine, and his balls emptied in a magnificent explosion of pure bliss.
“Hmm…I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling pretty good right now,” Dre’Kariston murmured as Somerly slowly came back down to earth.
“I’d feel better if you stopped playing with my dick.”
“Sorry,” Dre’Kariston said after pressing their lips together lightly and releasing his hold. “I didn’t want to let go.”
“I’ve made a mess of you. Do you have a dark spell to clean it up?”
Dre’Kariston let out a husky chuckle. “I’m pretty sure cleansing spells aren’t dark or light,” he replied as he used his magic to scrub away Somerly’s come. Reaching down to grab the covers that had somehow managed to find themselves at the end of the bed, Somerly pulled them over him and his mate.
“What do I know of magic? I’m a dragon.”
“I’ll make sure you learn all you need to know.”
“I’d like that.”
“Me too. Get some rest,” Dre’Kariston ordered as they tangled their limbs and got comfortable so they could sleep.
“I’ve got you next to me, it shouldn’t be any problem for me,” Somerly replied as he snuggled close.
“I know exactly what you mean.”
Somerly let out a yawn as warmth crept over him at Dre’Kariston’s words. He was finally back where he belonged, and he had no intention of ever allowing any kind of space between them again.
* * *
Dre’Kariston slowly opened his eyes and sensed the dragon nestled so warm and sexy beside him was stirring. The sun was shining brightly through the windows, but Dre’Kariston had no idea if it was morning, afternoon, or night. There was desperation inside to find Derwin, but there was little chance of locating him. Any chase would be futile; the familiar had gotten his wish for freedom. Dre’Kariston just hoped Derwin was prepared to pay the cost if his plan failed. He shook his head—there was little if in his mind.
> “A little unsettling to wake up next to a man shaking his head. Do you have regrets?”
Dre’Kariston let out a sigh. “Life’s full of regrets. I don’t see how it can’t be when we’re so often forced to make uncomfortable decisions where it seems no matter which way you go, it’s going to be the wrong way.”
Somerly sat up straight and the covers fell to his lap. Dre’Kariston greedily enjoyed the expanse of exposed skin and perfect musculature. “I understand that, but I thought you were okay with a second chance for us,” the dragon replied with a quiver of his chin.
Rising to press a firm kiss to his lips, Dre’Kariston entangled his fingers into Somerly’s messy hair. “I woke up thinking about Derwin and my regrets there.”
“I apologize. You’ve got a lot on your mind, and I’m making everything about me.”
“Relax, there’s a great deal on both our plates right now.”
“When it rains it pours,” Somerly quipped with a little smile.
“No kidding.”
“We should get dressed and start hunting for Derwin again.”
“There’s no trail to follow. The next move is his. What about you, how’re you feeling about your father?”
“Like I can’t deal with any of it before a cup of coffee and a bite to eat.”
“Let’s grab a shower and see if we can’t scrounge up what we need.”
“Before we do, I wanted to say thank you for forgiving me. I wasn’t sure that you would. I know I did the wrong thing and I guess somewhere in my mind, I believed I should have to suffer the consequences.”
Dre’Kariston cocked his head to the side and studied the man in front of him. His hair was a tangled disaster, and he still had creases on one cheek from the pillowcase. Navy eyes clouded with a variety of sad and heartbreaking emotions stared back at him. It was at that moment Dre’Kariston understood the word “perfection.” Somerly was just that, and he loved him. His life was full before, but Somerly made him whole. He wanted to wake up every morning just this way. “You were wrong to keep the truth from me. But you already paid any cost that should be doled out for that mistake. You left your country, your court, and the only home you knew. You gave up everything to get back to my side. That’s where you belong, where I need you to be. I love you, Somerly.”
“It was easy to understand I was broken without you. I was frantic to get back to you and make you understand. I love you too.”
Tugging him close, Dre’Kariston kissed him with passion but also the tenderness he had inside for him. As he always did, Somerly melted against him, and Dre’Kariston reveled in that miracle. He wrapped him in his arms and lowered them both back down to the bed. Food could wait; he still had some lost time to recover with his mate.
Chapter 39
Somerly sat down on the couch in Aleksander’s office and was feeling rather smug that instead of watching hungrily as the other men in the room were cuddled, his warlock was pulling him close and laying a warm hand on his thigh. He wore a smile on the inside and the outside as he gloried in the relationship they were rebuilding.
“So, what’s up?” Dre’Kariston asked. Somerly’s new king—the man he was still trying to digest as his eldest brother—had called them into the room but hadn’t given them any clue what was amiss.
“You’ve got a tense look on your face,” Worth observed. “It’s obviously not good news.”
“How do you know I’m tense? We just met a few days ago,” Aleksander remarked.
“Because you’ve got my face, and I know what my facial expressions mean.”
“I can already tell this is going to be an ongoing fight,” Mac observed. “You’re both going to have to deal with the family resemblance. Move on.”
“Good advice but I feel the need to remind Worthington that I’m the oldest. You have my face,” Aleksander said. “But we’ll bicker over it later. I called Dre’Kariston and Somerly in here at the request of our legendary Reverent Knights. They’ll be here in a minute.”
“Any clue what they need to discuss?” Dra’Kaedan asked. “Is it related to Derwin?”
“No, since he’s the Grand Summoner Familiar, his disappearance falls under the jurisdiction of the Sentinel Brotherhood. The fallen knights are willing to offer any assistance they can, and they’ve been notified to be on the lookout, but any news would presumably be coming from Alaric on that front,” Aleksander explained.
“Any chance I’ll get sent back to the Consilium?” Lex asked. “I know Somerly’s got his mate and Worth’s your brother, but I’m unrelated.”
“You’re a D’Vaire. That’s pretty much the end of the story. Our court is within the Council. We wouldn’t ever consider any kind of negotiation to return you to the Consilium. It’s out of the realm of possibility,” Aleksander stated. His voice was firm and it soothed Somerly. One thing he’d learned about Aleksander was that his family considered him honest and honorable. It gave Somerly the courage to begin trusting that he’d be a good presence in his life and had the best interests of his people at heart. A far cry, he was learning, from the man who’d raised him.
“Knock, knock,” Reverent Knight Drystan said from the doorway. Next to him was his mate, and Somerly could still hardly believe the remarkable gold of his eyes was real.
“Come on in. I tried to get just Somerly and Dre’Kariston in here, but all this riffraff showed up,” Aleksander commented as he got up and hugged their guests.
“It’s okay, they can stay,” Conley said. “Pretty much everyone in the room is related, and I know that secrets aren’t a part of Court D’Vaire when possible anyway.”
“Sit and tell us what’s going on,” Aleksander requested.
Drystan took a seat and Conley plunked down onto the arm of his chair. “Well, it all started with a phone call to the Order of the Fallen Knights. It seemed King Boian Ethelindraconis wanted to speak to the people in charge. He wanted to report that his son, Prince Somerly, has been kidnapped.”
“Kidnapped?” Dre’Kariston echoed.
“Yes, he’s claiming that Marquis Lex Ethelindraconis has been coerced to help by a criminal who calls himself Worthington. I spoke with him personally and he was livid. He’s claiming Worth’s using the name of his deceased son. He explained that it’s particularly painful that this dragon shifter has chosen to tarnish the memory of the late Worthington. This Worth has been committing crimes for at least the last century and as his king, he’s had no choice but to punish him. Out of spite, King Boian feels he has managed to convince Lord Lex to abscond with his only living child. He wants Prince Somerly found and returned to him. King Boian explained that his wedding is only days away, and his loving fiancée is beside herself with worry.”
Worth barked out a laugh. “I love it. He’s made me into a villain.”
“I can’t believe he’d try to say Worth persuaded me to kidnap my best friend,” Lex remarked. His brown eyes were quickly filling with anger.
“All the things he’s told you are lies. Obviously, I left of my own accord and I can assure you, Lucretia barely knows me.”
“Oh, I know he’s full of shit. I know he’s your father, but I have to say he was also rude as fuck. He spoke to me as if I didn’t understand dragon shifters…said things like you magickind don’t understand the way our courts work. I told him he needed to learn some basic facts like I used to be his fucking emperor,” Conley stated. He shook his head. “Sorry, I wouldn’t normally bitch about someone calling my office, but we’re all family and he was unbelievable.”
“Try growing up with the shit as your father,” Worth retorted. “Does he have any say about Somerly? Can he force the Council to return his son?”
“I’ve already talked to Chrys about this. Trust me, King Ethelindraconis has no say about any dragons as far as the Emperor’s concerned. It irritates Chrys that there are three dragons who are defying Fate at the expense of the shifters who’ve stayed with them. They don’t have the same resources available to them, and
their government doesn’t have their best interests at heart,” Drystan replied. “Somerly, you have nothing to worry about. I told him that you’re safe and living at D’Vaire. As you can imagine, he went a little crazy when he learned that. Accused Aleksander of being part of the plot or even the mastermind. He told me Aleksander showed up at his court a few months ago and could’ve met with Worth then.”
“That’s when I told him that we’d learned that all three of you were his sons,” Conley commented with a shark-like grin.
“He assured me that wasn’t possible. So, I called our good friend Vadimas to see about getting bloodwork done to prove it. He told me you guys had already given him samples last night. When I told him some basic details about my conversation with King Ethelindraconis he went to check on the results,” Drystan confided.
“About an hour later, Vadimas called us back. He knew we were heading over here, so he asked us to relay the news. The tests proved that you’re all related, but there was a surprise. Aleksander and Worth, Somerly’s your half brother as you thought, but you two share the same parents,” Conley said.
Aleksander’s brows drew together, and his eyes met Worth’s. “I just don’t know how that’s even possible. I’m over five centuries older than him. Where was our mother? Her sister was around, or we wouldn’t have Noir and Dray. So where the fuck was the woman who gave birth to us?”
“I have zero answers for you. We called King Ethelindraconis back and confronted him with the results. Predictably, he said they were conducted by magickind and therefore couldn’t be trusted. He claimed Aleksander and Worth probably were brothers and that the younger had probably been planted in Court Ethelin to stir up trouble for him. He claims Aleksander has a vendetta against him because he was the one that stood up for dragonkind and saw the mistake Fate made when she gave him a kingdom. And I have to tell you not once would he refer to you as King D’Vairedraconis, but he made sure to remind me I had to call him Your Highness with each response I gave him,” Drystan stated.
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