Fall of the Arch Lich (D'Vaire, Book 6)

by Jessamyn Kingley

  “He didn’t even resurrect me with any training. Sigimund expected me to know it all,” Grymington said. “If he didn’t intend to feed me, then why not resurrect me with no bodily needs?”

  “As far as I know, that won’t work for a permanent resurrection,” Chander replied. “Temporary ones, yes. When I was young, I would summon small animals to keep me company for a few days. They had no needs because I didn’t want whichever elder I was living with to know about my pets.”

  “Chand, there aren’t any resurrected animals,” Benton pointed out.

  “No, a permanent spell to do that has never been created as far as I know,” Chander responded. “The focus has always been on warriors. Once we were the people other races called upon when they had wars. We’d summon forth enormous skeletal armies. Temporary armies which went out of fashion. Necromancers wanted bigger and bigger rewards for their services and it pissed off the other races. That’s when history written by those people began referring to our sorcery as being against Fate and other nonsense like that. We weren’t hated so much as held away at an arm’s length. It was quite a surprise when the Council was created, and we were asked to join. There was a lot of infighting those days between the various kinds of sorcerers which is why I agreed without the elders’ consent. They would’ve never have given it and I wanted to fix all that garbage and welcomed the idea of cooperation with everyone else.”

  “I guess that’s why necros haven’t figured out how to resurrect shifters with their beasts. They’ve never focused on animals at all,” Benton said.

  A light went on in Chander’s brain. “You’re a genius. That’s a good place to start. If I can craft a permanent resurrection spell for animals, then I might be one step closer to giving Drystan and Conley their dragons.”

  “We watched television last night and I saw several dogs. I think you should resurrect a dog,” Grymington suggested.

  Chander considered their newest family member. “I’ll tell you what, I figure this out and I’ll make sure you get a dog.”

  The reaper grinned and his face lit up. “I think I would like that very much.”

  With a nod, Chander made his promise to see it done. It might take him a little time, but he was determined to give their reaper a furry friend. But first, he had to focus on getting this sentinel complex done and moving all those men here. Then he could bury his face in a book—in his free time—and design a spell that worked.

  Chapter 43

  “Grymmie was really excited when Chand started talking about resurrecting animals,” Baxter said. He was naked under the covers while he sat in bed waiting for Benton to join him. Benton was taking his sweet-ass time brushing his teeth, but he finally emerged from the bathroom at the sound of Baxter’s voice.

  “Yeah, he was. I hope Chand can figure out a dog spell for him.”

  “Please, Chand always does the shit he sets out to do.”

  “That’s true but it’s going to take him time to get it done. He has a life now.”

  Baxter watched Benton peel off his T-shirt and licked his lips at all the pale flesh that emerged. “Yeah, and he’s not going to trade Alaric time to read a book.”

  “The idiot should have been that way from the start.”

  “Even you decided to play hard to get for a while,” Baxter replied. “I don’t think you get to stand in judgment of Chand there, Daemon Lord.”

  “We have the best titles.” Benton dropped to the end of the mattress to remove his boots. His daggers were still glowing at his sides and much to Baxter’s chagrin, it was taking him a lifetime to get his pants off.

  “It was really awesome of the Skeleton Seven to give them to us too.”

  “The Skeleton Seven are really awesome in general.”

  Baxter lifted a blond brow as Benton stood and turned to face him. “Show me a sentinel who isn’t.”

  Grabbing his weapons from his sides, Benton set the pair down on the bedside table. “You have a point there.”

  “They look really good naked too.”

  Benton’s brow furrowed. “How many fucking sentinels have you seen naked?”

  “You know it’s only you and me.”

  “So, you don’t know if the others look good naked.”

  “Our race is the best. We must all look good naked.”

  Benton rolled his blue eyes. “You have the most fucked up logic.”

  “Would you just take off your damn pants and get into bed?”

  “I don’t know why you’re in such a fucking hurry,” Benton complained as he loosened his belt. “We hardly got any sleep last night since we were answering all nine million of Grymmie’s questions. When I get into bed, I plan on remedying that situation and not playing with you.”

  “Fine with me. You crawl under these sheets naked. I’ll play with you while I jerk off. Win-win.”

  Benton’s pants hit the floor followed by his underwear. He grabbed the garments and tossed them into the laundry basket. “I can’t sleep with you playing with me,” he said as he climbed under the covers.

  Baxter tried in vain to pull Benton close, but it was impossible. They were a perfect match in strength. Neither one of them could get the advantage over the other in or out of bed. It was frustrating while they trained but tantalizing when they warred for passion. “Would you get over here?”

  Narrowing his eyes, Benton crossed his arms over his chest. “I told you I’m tired.”

  “Me too but I want you.”

  Benton let out a sigh like he was annoyed, but Baxter could see the interest in his eyes as well as sense it since they were in such close proximity. They might be exhausted, but it wasn’t like they ever tired of each other. Neither one of them was going to exert the energy for a sex marathon; however, Baxter didn’t see why they couldn’t get each other off. “Sleep, Baxter.”

  “You’ll sleep better if you come first.”

  “I want to argue with that but—”

  “But you know it’s true, so kiss me.”

  Benton gave an eye-roll, but he did lean over and press his lips to Baxter’s. It was like Baxter spent all day waiting for his other half to complete him. Every cell in his body relaxed and then kicked into excitement that heated his blood as Benton moved close to him. He grabbed a handful of messy blond hair as he slid forward until he bumped into Benton. “I love the way you kiss,” Benton said before diving back in for a deep taste that upped the desire they were both feeling.

  “I want to suck you,” Baxter told him when they were forced to come up for air.

  Lust filled orbs gazed into his. “I bet I can make you come first.”

  “Prove it.”

  Benton yanked the covers to the foot of the bed and without speaking they managed to maneuver themselves into position. Baxter was lying on his side with Benton’s sexy cock staring at him. He loved the sight of it and was happy to see how hard Benton was. And it seemed only fair since he was as stiff as his mate. Using his fist, he brought that gorgeous dick to his lips and licked the tip. Benton was apparently taking their competition seriously; he didn’t mess around with teasing. One second Baxter was toying with Benton’s shaft and a heartbeat later his own was being sucked down the throat of the man he was lucky enough to get to spend eternity with.

  “Shit, babe,” Baxter whispered through their mindlink. “Feels so fucking good.”

  “Damn right it does. Now get to work.”

  Baxter wasn’t about to disappoint the man, so he wrapped his mouth around Benton’s length and hollowed his cheeks. His man moaned loudly, and Baxter began bobbing his head, each time increasing the suction. He was going to do his best to ignore the fact that Benton was trying to make him come by being as aggressive as possible. Baxter was determined Benton would find his release first.

  He flattened his tongue along Benton’s cock and drew him all the way back into his throat. Since they’d discovered they were mates over a year before, he’d gotten plenty of practice at this and he could swallow Ben
ton with ease. His pulse stuttered as he was reminded Benton was as dedicated to his craft as he was. This was going to be a true testament to his fortitude, he thought as his balls drew up close to his body.

  If he couldn’t stop his own reaction, then he was going to double his efforts to make Benton lose this battle. He slid a finger into his mouth alongside where he was frantically dragging Benton in and out and made sure it was good and wet. Then he removed it so could take that digit and run it around Benton’s pucker. Benton whined as Baxter slipped it inside.

  He searched for and with ease found that spot inside which drove him crazy. While he’d hoped Benton would climax, the action instead made him retaliate by using his own idea against him. Baxter had a finger in his ass and hot lips wrapped around his dick. He was on the very edge of his orgasm and knew he had maybe seconds at most to win.

  Baxter used all the discipline in his blood to stave it off as he worked his man with all his effort. Sucking hard, Baxter was rewarded with a loud wail from Benton right before his seed splashed onto his tongue. Swallowing it down, he continued to slurp until Benton was finished and he’d drunk every last drop.

  “You want to finish what you started?” he demanded once his mate’s dick slipped out. Benton was lying there with Baxter’s rigid sex in his mouth and wasn’t doing a damn thing to finish him off.

  “Sorry,” the word floated through his brain as Benton resumed his work. Baxter didn’t reply; he couldn’t. Benton had picked up where he left off with a vengeance and there was no denying the result. His entire being was focused on the tingles dancing down his spine. Baxter’s back arched into a bow as he filled Benton’s mouth with his essence.

  “You have the best ideas,” Benton said after he’d licked Baxter clean.

  Rolling to his back and reaching for Benton, who obliged by lying down next to him, Baxter kissed him. “I always do.”

  “That’s not entirely true.”

  “Excuse me, but I’m not the one who decided we should wait to have sex,” Baxter countered as they cuddled close. “I wasn’t sure we were ever going to get into bed.”

  “First, having a mate isn’t about sex, although it’s certainly one hell of a perk. And second, I was referring to your ridiculous idea that you’re the superior sentinel.”

  “Look, I love you, so I’m going to make a great concession.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah, we have equal titles, so let’s agree that makes us equals both in bed and out.”

  “We already knew we were equal in bed.”

  “Of course.”

  Benton kissed the corner of his mouth. “Deal.”

  “Just remember whose idea it was to be equals.”

  “Shut up,” Benton ordered as he laid his head on Baxter’s shoulder.

  “You worried about Sigimund and these resurrected warlocks?”

  With a yawn, Benton retrieved the bedcovers and lay back down. “No, Sigimund is an idiot. Those sorcerers may or may not come up with any ideas to help whatever stupid plots he has in his head, but they still have to be executed.”

  “They could get help from the Consilium Veneficus.”

  “I suppose they could, but it still won’t be enough. Chand is always with a sentinel. He’s not going to run off on his own because he knows it would upset Alaric. Shit is really good between them, and Chand isn’t going to fuck that up. So, the Consilium Veneficus would have to take on the Sentinel Brotherhood.”

  “Not to mention the fallen knights who love Chand.”

  Benton’s head nodded against Baxter’s chest. “Yeah, so how are a bunch of sorcerers who aren’t even Chand’s equal going to take on that many resurrected soldiers?”

  “Good point. I mean there might be a lot more fallen knights than there are sentinels, but we can still protect their asses should shit get ugly.”

  Raising up, Benton gave him a rueful glance. “I’m going to let you explain that to the fallen knights.”

  “Scared?”

  “I don’t know that I would use that word, but I’ve seen Conley fight. Not even Alaric could take him down.”

  “Okay, so like one fallen knight will help us take down the Consilium Veneficus.”

  Benton resumed his former position. “Overall, sentinels are superior.”

  “I know Chand created the fallen knights, but I still have to agree with you there.”

  “I’m just glad he and Alaric are happy.”

  “Our little Chand, all grown-up.”

  “Again, I’m going to let you say that to his face.”

  Baxter chuckled. “I don’t want to upset his demon, so I’ll keep that thought to myself. But it is a relief to know he’s taking care of himself and that he’s happy. His relationship would never be working if he wasn’t.”

  “He may be the Lich Sentinel and therefore scary as fuck, but it’s cute the way he watches Chand.”

  “He’d be the hammer of justice if Sigimund or the Consilium Veneficus so much as touched a curly hair on Chand’s head.”

  Benton let out another yawn. “Oh yeah, he’s not going to let anyone hurt Chand.”

  “I’d do the same thing if someone hurt you.”

  “I know, I feel the same way about you.”

  Baxter knew Benton was tired, but he was enjoying talking to him. “You think Chand will be Arch Lich again?”

  “I don’t see how he can avoid it. I think of this like a vacation. He’s had time to straighten out his life and do it without the stress of being a Council leader, but the Order of Necromancia still needs him.”

  “Sigimund can create all the crazy schemes he wants, but he’s not going to be able to outrun death. If nothing else, when his old age catches up to him, the necromancers will need an Arch Lich.”

  “And they’ll want Chand.”

  Baxter stroked a hand down Benton’s back. “Absolutely. What the hell was Sigimund thinking resurrecting Grymmie?”

  “How am I supposed to know? But don’t worry, we’ll get him trained. I can’t believe that asshole just expected him to rise from the dead knowing everything.”

  “We always knew Sigimund was an asshole.”

  “You going to let me sleep anytime tonight?” Benton asked. “First it was sex. Now it’s yammering.”

  Baxter barked out a laugh. “You’re crazy but I love you.”

  “I love you too. I’m so glad you’re my mate.”

  Laying his cheek on Benton’s head, Baxter closed his eyes. “You’re the best mate ever and I’m happy you’re mine. Good night, Daemon Lord Benton Daray.”

  “Night, Bax.”

  Chapter 44

  Monday mornings had long been Chander’s nemesis and this one was no different, he thought as he picked up his coffee cup and willed the caffeine into his bloodstream. The other five men at the table were chatting about inconsequential things when a sentinel shimmered into the room. Like all his brethren, he wore his cloak over his head when he teleported. But as soon as he fully materialized, he whipped it off.

  He had the same dark hair as his mate, but this sentinel’s had a wave that Alaric’s lacked. His eyes were a gray-blue and he was wearing a broad smile on his handsome face. Chander had never seen him before but the Lich Sentinel knew them all, so he looked over to Alaric for an introduction. Alaric was grinning even bigger than the stranger.

  “Good morning, Eduard,” Alaric said. Chander could feel his eyes bug out as he realized he was looking at the no longer skeletal version of Skeleton Lord Eduard.

  “Good morning, Eduard, congratulations,” Chander echoed. The other occupants in the room gave similar greetings.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt your breakfast, but I thought you might wish to know there’d been a development,” Eduard replied.

  Victor hopped to his feet and ran to the kitchen. “Grab a seat,” the cat shifter ordered. “I’ll make you a plate.”

  “Thank you, it does smell very good.”

  “I’m glad you’re here,” Alaric st
ated. “Do the others know?”

  “I thought to tell you first.”

  Within a minute or so, Victor had a plate in front of Eduard and was handing him silverware. “Okay, are all sentinels hot?”

  The sentinels in the room all replied in the affirmative which Chander thought was hilarious since they couldn’t possibly know that. They only saw beauty in their own mates after all.

  “Damn, the world needs more sentinels,” Victor said as he went back to his own chair.

  Alaric smiled. “I’m afraid the world will have to make do with the eight thousand, four hundred, and three of us that exist.”

  “And why is that?” Chander asked.

  “You know I destroyed the machine that bound our souls to new necromancers. There won’t be any more of us created.”

  “Doesn’t mean I couldn’t resurrect more of you. I have the spell—or most of it. We can fill in the blanks pretty easily,” Chander replied.

  Alaric blinked. “I didn’t realize such a thing was possible.”

  “Babe, I’m a necromancer. It’s kinda what I do.”

  “I know you’re a necromancer. I didn’t realize the spell could be copied without binding new sentinels to the souls of necros.”

  “No, we wouldn’t do that. We’d copy the spell but make them have free will. I think the rest of it should be an exact match though, otherwise you’re creating a new race and not sentinels,” Chander said.

  “Something to consider for the future,” Alaric remarked. “First we need to get the men we have settled and help them all find a purpose. I don’t wish for any of them to become bored or listless.”

  “We’ll figure it out,” Chander promised.