Fall of the Arch Lich (D'Vaire, Book 6)
Page 24
Taking the cloak off the hanger, he swung it over his shoulders and shoved his hands through the sleeves. Closing his eyes, he thanked Fate for Chander and all he’d brought to Alaric’s life. He sent out a wish to the universe that their lives ahead would be full of love and devotion. Then he lifted his lashes and crossed the room. Opening the door, he strode out into the hallway with purpose. The entire house must be waiting for him, he realized as he walked past the large living spaces that were devoid of people.
Alaric pulled open one of the large double doors of the throne room and saw it packed with the D’Vaires, the Skeleton Seven, three fallen knights, including Venerable Knight Roman Calixtus, and the Emperor. His brothers were there in addition to Evergreen, his sentinel, Dudley, and the parents of the Reverent Knights. Standing there, close to King Aleksander D’Vairedraconis, was Chander looking resplendent in a black and green cloak. He didn’t stop moving until he was less than a foot from the man he adored. He grabbed one dagger from his side, removed the poison and handed it to Baxter. Reaching for his second weapon, he left it glowing black and green and gave it to Benton. Chander held out his hands and Alaric clasped them.
“We’ll begin whenever you’re both ready,” Aleksander invited from under his silver crown.
“We’re ready,” they said together which caused the room to erupt in chuckles.
“Ladies and gentlemen, today we decided this amazing couple deserved something they would have never planned for themselves. They might not have thought they wanted a large celebration, but everyone in this room concluded this second time around was even more important than their first mating ceremony. So, we ambushed them and here we all are.” More laughter spilled out at his words.
When the room quieted, he said, “Gentlemen, please raise your left palms.”
Alaric let go of Chander’s hands and did as he was told. He gazed into Chander’s eyes. At their first mating ceremony, they had been filled with misery. This time around, the pewter depths were brimming with love and happiness.
“The Lich Sentinel has heralded in a fresh new beginning for sentinels. They are the newest member of our Council and soon the entire population of elite assassins will live side by side with every other race. Under his leadership, they will grow and prosper bringing to the Council a pristine sense of honor and impeccable fighting skills.
“Lich Sentinel-mate Daray is a unique hybrid of demonic blood and necromancer. Though we have a vast history of necromancers, not much is known about demons and their capabilities. One thing we do know is they can free an entire race of men from the Order of Necromancia. The future shall certainly herald in many more incredible feats as the Lich Sentinel-mate explores his capabilities.”
Baxter stepped forward and sliced a cut across Chander’s palm. Benton then did the same to Alaric. As they pressed their bleeding hands together, Aleksander said, “Demonic necromancer to sentinel. Lich Sentinel to Lich Sentinel-mate. Their soulbinding is renewed and we celebrate the linking of their lives. May their hearts always stay united, so they may never want another.”
The Reverent Knights walked up and Drystan handed a ring to Chander and Conley gave one to Alaric. Looking down, Alaric saw it was a wide band that was a flat braid. Each thick thread of it was a different color. There was a pewter one, one of chartreuse, and a third which was a mix of black and charcoal. It was stunning.
Aleksander’s voice rang out. “Dragons claim their mates with a bite that leaves no mark. Centuries ago, a draconic tradition began of exchanging rings. The Sentinel Brotherhood has adopted this tradition, and now Alaric and Chander will exchange bands to allow the world to bear witness to their joining.”
Chander slid Alaric’s ring on as he said, “Chosen by Fate and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate.”
Alaric pushed the band onto Chander’s finger as he repeated the words. “Chosen by Fate and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate.”
“By the tradition of the Draconis Court of D’Vaire and of the Sentinel Brotherhood, you are now mates. You have honored all of us by allowing us to bear witness to your joining,” Aleksander stated. Alaric cupped Chander’s face in his hands and kissed his willing mouth.
Then he shrugged off his cloak as Chander did the same. They raised their palms up again and they were cut a second time.
“Demonic necromancer to sentinel. Lich Sentinel to Lich Sentinel-mate. Our blood has spilled, and our spirits have bonded. We ask Fate to grant us a mark from left shoulder to elbow so the world may bear witness we belong only to each other,” Chander said as they lined up their bleeding palms for a second time. Alaric’s arm burst into searing pain and he could see Chander grimacing. No one had told him it would feel like he’d been set on fire, but he had no complaint about the results. He could see a skull with a two-toned glowing dagger on Chander’s arm just above his own name in block letters beneath it.
Alaric’s attention turned to his own mating mark and the sight of it made him grin. In front of a darkened sky stood Chander in full regalia. He wore a deep gray suit under a cloak. Both his tie and cloak were black and silver with bold accents of chartreuse. Atop his head was a crown decorated in the same color scheme with skulls adorning it and had smoke rising from the top. His wings were spread out behind him. It was spectacular.
“You’re wearing a crown,” he pointed out to a frowning Chander.
“I can see that,” Chander replied in a flat voice.
Albrecht walked up to them and handed Chander a small box. “You begin your journey today alongside the Lich Sentinel as part of our leadership. It is a role we know you will carry with honor and class. You’ve already proven yourself to be fully dedicated to our race. Each day our men celebrate the gift of freedom you have given them. Our people would not be the same without you, and we look forward to all that you will bring to the Sentinel Brotherhood in the future. Your ring of rank Lich Sentinel-mate.”
“Thank you, Skeleton Lord Albrecht,” his mate replied, a little weepy. He gave Alaric a sheepish smile before opening the box. Inside was a thick silver band that had a crowned matte skull with a glow of chartreuse coming from the eye sockets. A set of wings that matched Chander’s spread out behind the face and down the sides of the ring.
“How did you get it to match my wings? They just changed yesterday,” Chander asked in awe.
“Grand Warlock D’Vaire pulled the memory from Baxter and used magic to replicate the design,” Albrecht informed him.
“This is incredible,” Chander said. He handed it to Alaric who dutifully slid it onto his finger. When Albrecht left them, Chander gave him an annoyed look. “My ring of rank has a crown on it.”
“I can’t imagine how that happened.” Alaric gave him an unrepentant grin. The Order of Necromancia might have stripped him of his true identity, but neither Fate nor the sentinels were going to do the same.
Chander grasped his sides and Alaric leaned down to kiss him. When they separated, they were handed their cloaks, and Alaric got his daggers back as well.
“Before we adjourn outside to celebrate this wonderful renewing of a matebond the Skeleton Seven have one more task they wish to carry out,” Aleksander revealed. Alaric took Chander’s hand and they walked to the side, as the sentinels who helped him lead walked forward.
Baxter and Benton made to leave but Albrecht stopped them. “We have something we wish to give to you both,” he announced. Chander looked up at Alaric with questioning eyes but the truth was, he had no clue what his guys were up to.
“Today we are celebrating not only the rejoining of our leader to his mate but the beginning of their reign as Lich Sentinel and Lich Sentinel-mate. Although our Lich Sentinel-mate is a powerful sorcerer with no equal, it would be remiss of us not to designate a team of elite assassins to see to his safety,” Cassius said.
“The Skeleton Seven wish to bestow upon you the titles of Daemon Lord Baxter Daray and Daemon Lord Benton Daray,” Gavrael intoned.
Brynnius pulled a sash from under his cloak. It was pewter with a thick stripe of chartreuse in the center. “This sash shows the entire Sentinel Brotherhood your new title,” he explained as he handed it to Baxter.
Eduard produced a second sash and said the same words to Benton as he passed it over before adding, “We have new jackets for your uniform to reflect your rank as well.”
Gedeon handed them each a small box. “Your rings of rank Daemon Lords. The Skeleton Seven thank you for the service you have given our Lich Sentinel-mate for the last six and a half centuries. We know we can count on your continued devotion.”
“Thank you,” the new Daemon Lords responded at almost the same time before grinning at each other. Alaric could see their new jewelry was done in silver and had a fanged pewter skull with a set of wings behind it though they lacked the vibrant colors of Chander’s true demon.
The Grand Warlock walked up to where they were all milling around as Baxter and Benton thanked each of the Skeleton Seven. Once their task was complete the warlock said, “Congratulation Daemon Lords and congratulations to the Lich Sentinel and the Lich Sentinel-mate. I know I speak for everyone in this room when I say we could not be more pleased to see you both happy. Alaric, give Chand one hell of a kiss and then let’s go have some dinner.”
“Don’t be fooled,” Aleksander insisted. “The only thing he cares about right now is cake.”
Alaric shook his head and grabbed Chander. He pulled him close and kissed him long and deep. Chander whisked his thumb over Alaric’s lips. “I love you.”
Wrapping him in a hug Alaric whispered back, “I love you too.”
Chapter 35
Several days later, Chander was in his home office gathering up everything he needed for his upcoming meeting and still adjusting to the heavy weight of his new rings. The left one was his favorite; the design was simple but beautiful and represented his commitment to a man he adored more than anything else in the world. On his right was one of rank and while he was used to wearing a symbol of leadership, this was a special one. A different race and a new title. A brilliant reminder of his changed life. Although he had to admit, his favorite addition was the way everyone could see Alaric’s name emblazoned on his mating mark below the hem of his T-shirt.
The ceremony at D’Vaire had been fun, but they’d declined to stay the rest of the weekend. Like Alaric, Chander had been anxious to spend their first night together with so much sparkling brightness surrounding them in their own bed. As it had been since Alaric had lost his virginity, Chander had been moved by the feeling of having him buried deep inside his own body. It was a connection now not just of the physical but of every level in which two people could join. Fate had brought them together for pleasure, companionship, and most importantly, love.
Chander truly understood now why the Council had been founded to support races who were dedicated to the gifts of Fate and why that singular mission resonated with so many. Nothing was greater than that of mate to mate and his man was so incredible, he knew unequivocally how lucky he was to have him. Before leaving D’Vaire, he had been asked by Larissa if she should make him sentinel uniforms for future Council sessions or formal engagements. Chander didn’t want to refuse, so he’d agreed to have them made but he didn’t know how soon he would don one of the things. And he was glad Alaric was perfectly okay with that.
“You need help?” Baxter asked from the doorway.
Chander looked at the stack of fabric samples, notebooks, and pieces of flooring and tiles he had stacked in the center of the desk Alaric had added to the office just for him. “Yeah, I don’t know how the hell I’m expected to carry all this shit.”
“Magic maybe?”
“I guess,” he said as they grabbed crap. Benton showed up and took what was left. They carted it into the living room and deposited on the coffee table. He saw his little committee was already gathered, so he chose a seat on one of the large sofas and greeted his former assistant.
“Let me see those rings,” Evergreen demanded. Chander dutifully stretched out his fingers and Evergreen grabbed his hands as he admired his new jewelry.
“Aren’t they fantastic?” Victor asked.
“I seriously love them,” Evergreen gushed. “You lucky bitch.”
“He is, isn’t he?” Benton asked.
“Hey, you aren’t even part of our committee,” Chander argued as Evergreen finally released him.
“As Daemon Lords, we’ve added ourselves,” Baxter replied as he sat down next to his mate in a wide chair.
“Do you all realize I’m the only one who lives in this condo now that doesn’t have a title?” Victor asked.
“You should be like Cat Lord or maybe Dust-killer Lord,” Evergreen suggested.
“Can’t I just give you a tiara or something?” Chander joked.
Victor clasped his hands and his eyes grew wide. “Oh, would you?”
With a chuckle and not really knowing if the cat shifter was serious, Chander gathered his magic and created a silver tiara dripping with sparkles. “Does this work?”
“This is perfect,” Victor said as he took it and stuck it on his head. “I’m so going to wear this while I clean.”
“It totally suits you,” Evergreen told him.
“How do you like your new job?” Chander asked the man who shared the sentinel’s reception desk with Dudley.
“It’s great. I’m looking forward to it getting more challenging when all the sentinels are here. I mean not only do I have Dudley sharing all my duties, but I don’t have five horrible necromancer elders breathing down my neck. It’s so fantastic sometimes I have to remind myself I’m actually getting paid to do it,” Evergreen replied.
“I’m glad you like it and that you enjoy working with Dudley.”
“I will tell you—one thing about him does piss me off.”
“What’s that?” Baxter asked.
“The plants don’t die around him. He started watering them to help out, and the plants responded right away. I’m the one who’s half druid. How does he do it?” Evergreen complained.
“Sentinels can do anything,” Benton stated.
“Except suffer from low self-esteem apparently,” Victor observed with a grin.
“I guess the plants at your apartment aren’t dying anymore either,” Chander speculated.
“No, but that might be temporary,” Evergreen replied. “Dudley wanted me to ask you about whether he could move to the new complex when it’s ready. He’s not sure if he wants to, but he was curious if it was even a possibility.”
“Of course it’s possible. There are many available apartments in all the different layouts. Tell him he’s welcome to pick one. He could live in it full-time or part-time. Maybe he just wants to have a place in case you want a night to have your apartment to yourself,” Chander said.
“I hope that’s the case because he’s a great roommate and it will be kind of sad to be alone again,” Evergreen confided.
“I’m sure you could share my space here if Dudley moves out,” Victor offered.
“Hon, no offense—I can handle one or two roommates, but there are going to be like eleven people living here if I moved in.”
“Not until the complex is completed. The skeletons still don’t live here,” Chander stated.
“They’ve been spending more time here each week,” Baxter observed.
Chander nodded. “Let’s hope they continue to warm up to living here.”
“I have to admit I’m so curious as to what they are going to look like when they get their bodies back,” Victor responded.
“They’ll look like sentinels,” Baxter replied.
Three of the men in the room rolled their eyes, and Evergreen spoke the words they were all thinking. “It’s both awesome
and annoying that sentinels don’t see physical beauty outside of their mate. You’re all clueless about things beyond hair and eye color.”
“Alaric was described to me as having green eyes and black hair. No other details,” Chander added.
“Meanwhile the green glows like poison and he’s hot as fuck,” Victor threw in.
“Exactly.”
“This is creepy. Let’s talk about the complex,” Benton suggested.
“Fine, here’s the deal. The Skeleton Seven will talk all day about room purposes and inclusion of every activity they can think of, but when you start showing them fabric swatches or pictures of couches, they either lose interest or in the case of Gavrael get that look in their eye like they want to run away,” Chander said. “What we need to do is make sure they’re heavily involved in what the inside of this place is going to look like without overwhelming them. We narrow down the choices to no more than two per space. Then they can flip a fucking coin if they want. It just needs to be them making the decisions. This is their deal and I want it to stay that way.”
“What about the other sentinels? Are they going to decide how to decorate their own apartments?” Benton asked.
“Absolutely, but that’s not our job. It’s theirs. They can take their time, shop where they want or ask for help. What we should do in their apartments is give them a starting point. Neutral palettes and basic furniture so they have somewhere to sleep, eat, and relax. Alaric wants electronics for them all too. Basic laptops, cell phones, and a decent-sized television. They need to be able to communicate with Alaric and the Skeleton Seven from the minute they get here, so they can handle whatever issues arise,” Chander informed his group.
“We’ll be fully decorating all the public spaces, right?” Evergreen asked.
“Yes, it should be comfortable but stylish. I want them to be proud of their new home and ready to use all the available spaces,” Chander said. “And I know the compound is all gray and we don’t want to mimic that. However, that color is part of the sentinels’ history and represents the uniforms they are never out of. It needs to be incorporated into this new complex in a way that honors that tradition.”