“Rafferty, that is quite enough,” Charlton stated with a glare. “I make the rules around here, and if you didn’t invite their comments by being fat and wearing those damn clothes, they wouldn’t tease you.”
“I don’t even get to pick out my clothes.”
“I’m not kidding, Rafferty. Knock it off,” Sullivan ordered. “Apologize to His Highness.”
It’d been a record sixty-five days since Rafferty’s last shift, and his dragon saw little reason to lessen his defiance. The beast was driving him crazy. Desperate to fly, Rafferty strongly suspected that his dragon also needed his mate. Fingers clenching around his fork, to his surprise black scales flashed over the skin of his forearms for a few seconds.
“For Fate’s sake boy, don’t you dare shift in the damn house,” Charlton shouted, his eyes full of fear.
“It’s been too long since my last shift,” Rafferty stated. “If you don’t allow me to do it, I’m going to lose control of my dragon.”
“You just shifted at D’Vaire,” Sullivan argued.
“I haven’t been at D’Vaire for six weeks, and you didn’t let me do it then. It’s been nine since I flew.”
“Why didn’t you say so? No wonder you’re in such a mood,” Charlton said. “You’ll have to wait until night, though.”
“If I went to D’Vaire, no one here would have to see it,” Rafferty pointed out, his heart skipping a beat in anticipation. All he wanted to do was visit Aleksander, and if he had to use his dragon to do it, he would.
“D’Vaire’s not a priority right now. We’ve got money coming in. He’s a future project,” Charlton answered.
“What does money have to do with D’Vaire?” Rafferty asked.
“Don’t worry about it. But if you have powerful friends and get invited to things, money usually finds its way into your pockets. You’re probably annoying the hell out of D’Vaire by texting him constantly. Keep it to a minimum until we’re ready to try again to get him to take us to parties and such,” Charlton replied.
“He’s my friend. If he didn’t want me to text him, he’d tell me.” If his father curtailed Rafferty’s only lifeline to Aleksander, there was going to be a war. Although he’d never stood up to him, this was a line that once crossed would leave him with no choice.
“D’Vaire must really be a freak if he’s actually enjoying texting with Paunchy all day,” Neil guffawed.
Rafferty glared at the idiot and wanted to punch his face in for criticizing Aleksander. “He’s a nice guy and we’re friends,” he bit out.
“You’re spoiling my damn mood, Paunchy. You need to get control of that dragon,” Charlton bemoaned.
Rafferty’s dreams of Aleksander had grown more intimate, and his feelings for him were stronger than anyone in his family or he had intended, but he wanted to continue to grow their friendship. If he had to beg to visit him or promise the moon, he’d do so. “I want to shift, Your Highness. I could spend plenty of time flying at D’Vaire. No one cares that I’m a black dragon; I’m not even the only one there. Give me a couple of days to get my beast back under control, and I’ll come home in a better mood. His Highness will let me stay at the house, so it won’t cost you a penny. The Grand Warlock is even willing to come and teleport me, so no rental car or paying for Dérive.”
“Now we’ve been using Dérive plenty, but that doesn’t mean I want a sorcerer on my land. That won’t do, Paunchy.”
“I could take Dérive there and I don’t know…work it out with High King D’Vaire to pick me up or something. I’ve saved my wage money, so I can pay for the teleportation.” Rafferty might have felt like he was well-compensated when he’d lived in rural England and was issued his father’s currency, but switching to Council funds was brutal. There was barely enough to compensate Sullivan for all the idiotic clothes he purchased without Rafferty’s permission or consent.
“I’m getting annoyed with the topic,” Charlton confessed. “Sullivan, drive your brother to Dérive after breakfast.”
Sullivan shrugged. “I was heading there anyway. I’ve got a date soon.”
“In the middle of the morning?” Rafferty asked.
His brother smirked. “We have to arrange things around her mate’s work schedule.”
Rafferty glanced sharply at Sullivan. “You’re cheating on another man’s mate?”
“It’s not my fault she’s a rich woman who is mostly ignored by her man’s constant working. All I did was meet a friend of hers on one of the singles websites. What can I say? I’m so good in bed—she recommended me highly.”
“You do realize that if you get caught, you could be sentenced to death?”
“Paunchy, stay the fuck out of my business. I’m not trying to ruin a matebond. I’m helping an ignored woman who I’ve been texting with. Back off.”
Knowing if he pushed his brother, he might miss out on his ride to Dérive, Rafferty snapped his mouth shut. His breakfast was quickly shoveled in since Heather was a horrible cook, and he told Sullivan he’d be ready to go in a few minutes.
Hey, can you do me a favor? Rafferty texted to Aleksander, then dashed up the stairs. Once he got to his room, he grabbed his duffel and threw clothes in it.
“Hey, Sully, how long can I stay at D’Vaire?” he called out to his brother who was passing his space to get to his own.
“I don’t know. Why didn’t you ask Father?”
“I forgot. Has he left the house?” The front door slammed answering Rafferty’s question. “I’ll text him.”
“Hurry up, I don’t have all day.”
“Okay.”
There was still no response from Aleksander, so Rafferty fired off a message to his father. Charlton answered in a matter of seconds. How long has His Highness invited you for?
Since Aleksander didn’t even know he was coming yet, Rafferty pushed his luck with a lie. Two weeks.
Can’t do that, Paunchy. Sullivan can’t be expected to run the household himself. You get one.
Thank you, Your Highness.
“Paunchy, if you want to go, get your fat ass down here,” Sullivan shouted.
Snatching his bag, Rafferty dashed to where his brother was waiting. “Sorry. Father said I can go for a week.”
“I know, he texted me. Get in the car, will you?”
Rafferty did as he was told and as he got closer to the Dérive station, he wondered why Aleksander was ignoring him. They arrived, parked, and went inside. Just like his previous teleports, Rafferty felt sick to his stomach and wished he had a drink to moisten his mouth. There was a small waiting area with seats, so Rafferty grabbed one and pulled out his phone.
Sander, you okay? I’ve some exciting news, but I need your help. Rafferty searched through the gifs on his phone and found one that was an animated puppet, so he sent it. Then he saw one blowing hearts, so he clicked on it as well. It occurred to Rafferty it was probably rude to send a third, but he wanted to convey how much he missed him, so he chose a cute puppy with those words at the top.
Finally, he received the notification for a new text and he grinned like an idiot when he saw who it was from.
Babe, I miss you too, but it’s not even six in the morning. What’s up?
Heat went to Rafferty’s cheeks as he realized in his excitement that Aleksander didn’t get up until almost seven, and he’d completely forgotten about the time difference. Not sure how he could’ve been so stupid, they never texted this early. Aleksander hadn’t called him “babe” before, but instead of it weirding him out, Rafferty decided he liked it. Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. Go back to sleep. Text me when you get up, okay?
How am I going to sleep now knowing you’re super excited about something? Tell me.
Rafferty wasn’t going to get caught up in talking to Aleksander when the High King should be resting, so he picked up a magazine from the stack on the table and started to read. A new notification popped up a few seconds later.
Now you’re ignoring me? Come on Rafe, I’m not going to fall aslee
p now. Talk to me.
I fucked up your whole day, sorry.
You’re killing me. That statement was followed with a gif of an overly dramatic cartoon death.
Okay. I talked my family into letting me visit D’Vaire.
That’s awesome! When?
The majority of the D’Vaires were likely still in bed, so Rafferty had no issue waiting for them to get up and have their breakfast. When they were done, they could decide how best to come and get him. I’ll tell you later.
You get up this morning and decide you want to torture me?
Of course not.
All he got in response was a line of angry emojis.
Fine. I’m already in Arizona.
For real? Ready for me to open the gate for you? I need to get you your own code. Don’t hit the button, it’ll wake Brogan and Gavrael if they aren’t already up.
I don’t have a rental car. Rafferty wished he had the money to get one now since he was suddenly uncomfortable asking for help in getting to Aleksander’s house.
I’m confused. Shit, I need coffee. My brain doesn’t function without it. I need to hop in the shower first, though. Why are you in Arizona without a car? How’re you going to get between the hotel and D’Vaire?
Unease swept Rafferty. Although he’d refused it often, Rafferty had assumed Aleksander would extend his invitation to stay at the house. Rafferty had just enough money to get back to Virginia and wondered if he should return to Court Kestle. Does that offer of staying at D’Vaire still stand?
Absolutely! I’d love that! I can get Noir to get a room ready. Two nights?
I can stay up to a week if you want.
Of course I want. Where the hell are you, Rafe?
Sitting in the Dérive station.
There was silence again, so Rafferty went back to reading as his heart hammered against his ribs, though he couldn’t pinpoint if it was anxiety, excitement, or a combination of them both. About ten minutes or so passed, and Rafferty changed the settings on his device to both sound and vibration since he didn’t have to worry about any Kestles complaining for the next week. Several more ticked by when his phone finally pinged.
You owe me big time.
Rafferty was wondering how to respond, when across the room, in his peripheral vision, three people teleported in.
“Hey, get over here,” Dra’Kaedan yelled, causing Rafferty to jump.
Glancing up, his attention went straight to Aleksander. Without thought, he hopped to his feet and raced to him. Wrapping his arms around his neck he brushed their lips together, then held him tight.
“Was that okay? The kiss?” he whispered to him. The comfort of his embrace was filling him with absolute joy.
“Always.”
Next to them, Brogan let out a dramatic sigh, and Rafferty opened his eyes. They widened as he took in the Grand Duke and his mate. They were both wearing the loudest pajamas he’d ever seen in his life. Dancing giraffes decorated Dra’Kaedan’s, while Brogan’s sported disco elves.
“I’ll get your bag so we can get out of here,” Brogan groused, stomping to the seating area with his flip-flops snapping loudly in the near-empty building.
Dra’Kaedan yawned so big, his jaw cracked. “Welcome back, Your Highness. Let’s get the hell home. I’m going to need extra pancakes.”
“I guess I do owe you,” he told Aleksander.
“You don’t owe Giganteus shit. I’m the one with the magic,” Dra’Kaedan snapped.
“You need coffee, Squirt.”
“Yep, so I get first dibs. Let’s rock and roll.”
Without letting go of Aleksander, Rafferty closed his eyes. Whether it was because he was in the arms of his best friend or if it was due to his excitement, his reaction to Dra’Kaedan’s spell was more muted than normal. His tummy gurgled but didn’t pain him, and his mouth never changed, although he swore his lips still tingled from Aleksander’s kiss. Grinning, Rafferty planned to enjoy every moment of the next week.
Chapter 15
For the last three days, Aleksander had spent nearly every waking minute with Rafferty. They’d flown together for at least an hour in the afternoons, consumed meals that his foodie mate thoroughly enjoyed, and hung out with the D’Vaires, giving Rafferty time to get to know some of the people who were so immensely important to Aleksander. There were even a few kisses sprinkled in, though they were quick, and Rafferty usually stammered out a reason to leave the room or distract him with conversation as his cheeks reddened, but Aleksander would not press him, nor would he complain.
With six weeks between visits, Aleksander had set aside his normal working schedule to focus solely on Rafferty. However, he did have a few obligations he could not ignore, so he put on a suit, slid his dragonskin sash with the D’Vaire name proudly embroidered on it, and opened the wooden box he kept in his closet. Inside was a gleaming crown first put on his head the day Ellery and Chrysander decided he needed to be a High King. Madeline had designed it similar to the one he’d worn before his title was elevated. It featured heavy accents of gold—a color only allowed by his court and the one ruled by the emperors.
Rising from the swirls of gilt and silver was his dragon, and Aleksander always marveled at Madeline’s ability to replicate his navy and black scales with such accuracy. Raking a hand through his hair, he put the coronet into place. When he walked out of his bedroom, he found Rafferty sitting in the great room, watching some show with Worth.
“I should only be gone an hour,” Aleksander said.
Rafferty’s gaze widened, and a flush rose from under his maroon collar. Gulping heavily, his eyes hit the floor. “You look nice.”
“Thanks, I always feel like I’m playing dress-up when I’m in a suit.”
“You ready to go, Lankenstein?” Dra’Kaedan asked, sweeping into the room regally, in his crown and heavily embellished cloak.
“That’s a new one, Squirt. You’ve been on the internet again, haven’t you?”
“Yeah, my old ones were getting stale. That’s all I have for today though, so make the most of it.”
“I’m ready, where’s the rest of the gang?”
Dra’Kaedan’s parents—the ones who first created the Council before they were murdered—walked in next. Like Aleksander and the Grand Warlock, they were dressed as the leaders Fate made them. “Where’s Brogan?”
“What do you mean? I thought he was right behind me.”
The back door whipped open, and Killian the Dwyer strode in with his forest-green cloak buttoned up. Aleksander would bet his considerable fortune that he’d forgone shoes. His fingers laced with Dravyn’s, he got to where they were standing. “Where’s our elven contingent?” Killian asked.
“With me,” Brogan stated, striding into the room with the leaders of the Acwellan, Cwylld, and Tisidal tribes.
“I think I’d forgotten how many leaders live at D’Vaire,” Rafferty said, awe on his handsome face.
Saura flicked her son’s arm. “That’s because so many of them act like children.”
“Lankenstein, give your mate a kiss, so we can get this show on the road. We don’t want to be late for our meeting,” Dra’Kaedan remarked with a roll of his eyes for his mother.
It could’ve been awkward as Aleksander was still trying to figure out when it was okay to be affectionate, but Rafferty hopped up and their lips brushed softly. “I won’t be gone for longer than an hour or so.”
“Have fun or whatever.”
“You too.”
Aleksander took a step closer to Dra’Kaedan and winked at Rafferty. Lowering his lashes so he wouldn’t get dizzy, Dra’Kaedan teleported them to a Dérive spot only a few feet from the elevator that would take them up to the Office of the Emperor. Every Friday afternoon, he went to an advisory panel meeting along with several other hand-selected leaders. Their job was not only to prepare bills into careful bulleted lists that every ruler could access but to write legislation that would benefit everyone. Aleksander’s job of providing fun
ds to D’Vaire and two sanctuaries didn’t give his schedule much time to tackle many, but he did what he could to help.
They made it through the mandatory security checkpoint, then arrived upstairs to be waved past another duke. Emperor Chrysander’s twin brother, Imperial Duke Damian Draconis, took every precaution he could to keep the men in charge safe. Once in the lobby, they were greeted warmly by Royal Duke-mate Niko Draconis who, like most of the people they’d be with this afternoon, was part of the extended D’Vaire family. Ushered into Chrysander and Ellery’s office, Aleksander found that everyone had already shuffled into the attached conference room.
Killian opened the door, and there were more hugs and greetings as they made their way toward seats.
“What’s new at D’Vaire?” Chrysander asked. People were chatting around the table, and Aleksander never had to worry about his anxiety on these Friday jaunts. Everything about their meetings was relaxed and comfortable.
Swallowing the disappointment at not being able to convey the truth of his relationship with Rafferty, and that he had to lie to family, Aleksander offered what he could after sitting. “Kendrick’s brother, Duke Rafferty Kestledraconis, is visiting for a week. We’re trying to show him a good time.”
“It is impossible not to enjoy yourself at D’Vaire,” Ellery said.
“His Grace and Aleksander have become best buds. He refuses to help me come up with new names for Bigfoot,” Dra’Kaedan remarked.
“We’re going to have a popcorn buffet and watch movies tonight,” Chieftain-mate Evlithar Cwylld-D’Vaire enthused.
“We should do that again next weekend when the whole family is together,” Ellery suggested.
“Consider it done, Elf,” Aleksander responded.
“If I could have everyone’s attention, we can get started,” Chrysander called out, and the room quieted. For the next sixty-three minutes, Aleksander paid strict attention to Their Majesties and the rest of the advisory panel. When it was over, there were no lingering good-byes as many had other meetings to get to or other important obligations. The D’Vaire contingent was teleported by Dra’Kaedan from the conference space to a spot in front of the house so they wouldn’t land on anyone inside, at Aleksander’s specific request. Rafferty had been in the living room when they left, and there was no way Aleksander was going to shock a man not used to magic or let anyone stumble into him. Aleksander pulled off his crown as Brogan opened the door. Royal duty aside, all he wanted to do now was hang out with his mate.
Heart of the High King (D'Vaire, Book 19) Page 11