Brogan handed Rafe the ornamental two-handed sword Madeline made for him as Jeremiah walked to stand in front of him. “Will you kneel?” Aleksander quietly asked.
Rafe lifted the blade and tapped both of his shoulders. “For your decades of study in the noble pursuit of dragon training, including assisting the first-ever hybrid to survive his shift and a High King who thought his beast lost, on behalf of His Highness and me, we would like to bestow upon you the unique title of Magister Duke.”
Jeremiah got to his feet, and Aleksander placed the crown Madeline created, with the sparkling beast none of them tired of watching fly, on his head as the young dragon spoke. “I swear to protect the High Court of D’Vaire and shall raise my sword to protect my High Kings and all the inhabitants of this Court, should it be a just and true fight. I will conduct myself with honor and never stray from the values that govern our people. I vow I will uphold the laws of Emperor Chrysander and Emperor Ellery Draconis and never muddy the reputation of dragons.”
Rafe hugged him and as soon as he let go, Aleksander did the same as Chrysander motioned for the other D’Vaire dukes to step in front of their High Kings.
“Congratulations, Your Grace,” Ellery said. “Now let us celebrate his new title and the love that emanates from the beautiful hearts of Their Highnesses.”
Aleksander held out a hand to Rafe as the room erupted in cheers and applause. “Ready to dance?”
“It depends on how your toes are feeling about being stomped on,” Rafe replied, putting his palm in Aleksander’s and allowing himself to be led to the floor that was filling with couples as a melodic tune came from the small orchestra on the side of the throne room.
“We got this,” Aleksander said, pulling Rafe into his arms.
“You kidding? You and me, we can handle anything.”
“Damn right, babe.”
“I suck at this,” Rafe remarked after a curse when he did indeed step on Aleksander’s glossy shoe. “But when I’m with you, I still feel invincible because I know you’ll always protect my heart.”
“I still can’t figure out how you squeezed so much strength into yours. I trust you with mine too.”
“I’m not sure I would’ve survived everything if I hadn’t met you.”
“I don’t believe that for a second. Your inner will is a fearsome thing.”
“You’re terrible at compliments.”
Aleksander laughed and stopped in the middle of the floor to cup his mate’s face in his hands. “I thank Fate for you. For your unrivaled ability to love and for every day I get to be with you. Thank you for your trust, honesty, and passion. Nothing is as important to me as you, and I am the luckiest person in this room because I have eternity with you. I love you more than I can ever tell you.”
“I see your heart, Sander, and I love you too.”
Sealing their mouths together, Aleksander poured everything he was into their kiss without a care in the world beyond the man he cherished above all else. Rafe was the fire in his soul and his hero in every way. With Rafe at his side, Aleksander found nothing impossible. Together they would forge a brighter future for the D’Vaires that remained centered on love and family, and it would beat to the heart of the High Kings.
Sorcery D’Vaire
High King Aleksander D’Vairedraconis, President
High King Rafe D’Vairedraconis, President
Lichpriestess Saura D’Vaire
Lichpriest T’Eirick D’Vaire
Grand Warlock Dra’Kaedan D’Vaire
Grand Duke Brogan D’Vairedraconis
Grand Summoner Dre’Kariston D’Vaire
Grand Summoner-mate Somerly D’Vairedraconis
Grand Warlock Familiar Renny D’Vaire
Grand Summoner Familiar Lucian D’Vaire
Arch Lich Chander Daray
Lich Sentinel Alaric Daray
Killian the Dwyer
Drindyr Duke Dravyn D’Vairedraconis
Prism Wizard Vadimas Porfyra-Dewitt
Prism Wizard Severin Porfyra-Dewitt
High Arcanist Delaney (the Dark) Volkov-D’Vaire
Vampyr Lord Grigori Volkov-D’Vaire
High Arcanist Idris (the Indigo) D’Vaire
Dark Indigo Duke Macardle D’Vairedraconis
High Arcanist Royce (the Red) D’Vaire
Scheredin D’Vaire
Brexton D’Vaire
Liam Porfyra-Dewitt
Council of Sorcery and Shifters Advisory Panel
Emperor Chrysander Draconis, Court of Draconis
Emperor Ellery Draconis, Court of Draconis
Lichpriestess Saura D’Vaire, Darkfallen Court
Lichpriest T’Eirick D’Vaire, Darkfallen Court
Grand Warlock Dra’Kaedan D’Vaire, Coven of Warlocks
Grand Duke Brogan D’Vairedraconis, High Court of D’Vaire
Arch Lich Chander Daray, Order of Necromancia
Lich Sentinel Alaric Daray, Sentinel Brotherhood
Killian the Dwyer, Circle of Druids
Drindyr Duke Dravyn D’Vairedraconis, High Court of D’Vaire/Circle of Druids
Reverent Knight Drystan Gylde-Kempe, Order of the Fallen Knights
Reverent Knight Conley Gylde-Kempe, Order of the Fallen Knights
Prism Wizard Vadimas Porfyra-Dewitt, Spectra Wizardry
Prism Wizard Severin Porfyra-Dewitt, Spectra Wizardry
Alpha Artair Ursus Arctos, Ursus Arctos (Brown Bears) Pack
Archon Timotheus Centaurus, Legion of Centaurus (Centaurs)
Vampyress Irina Volkov, Vampyr Clutch
Vampyr Consort Alexei Volkov, Vampyr Clutch
High King Aleksander D’Vairedraconis, High Court of D’Vaire
High King Rafe D’Vairedraconis, High Court of D’Vaire
Chieftain Lorcan Acwellan-D’Vaire, Acwellan Elven Tribe
Chieftain-mate Talfryn Acwellan-D’Vaire, Acwellan Elven Tribe
Chieftain Cadlyr Cwylld-D’Vaire, Cwylld Elven Tribe
Chieftain-mate Evlithar Cwylld-D’Vaire, Cwylld Elven Tribe
Chieftain Kalthekor Valzadari, Valzadari Elven Tribe
Chieftain-mate Aristos Valzadari-Centaurus, Valzadari Elven Tribe/Legion of Centaurus
Chieftain Zamderyth Sae’Varis, Sae’Varis Elven Tribe
Chieftain Temolvi Indrenakas, Indrenakas Elven Tribe
Chieftain Lykvalos Mystamre, Mystamre Elven Tribe
Chieftess Bryjelni Tisidal-D’Vaire, Tisidal Elven Tribe
Chieftess-mate Klodjana Tisidal-D’Vaire, Tisidal Elven Tribe/Coven of Warlocks
Warrior Chieftain Kitlivri Cyrrien, Sprite Grove
Chieftain Laconifel Verdanyth, Verdanyth Elven Tribe
Chieftess-mate Semira Verdanyth-Hippotigris, Verdanyth Elven Tribe
Imperial Duke Damian Draconis, Court of Draconis
Ducsarcelle Marcus Draconis, Court of Draconis
Ducblanc Zane Draconis, Court of Draconis
Ducblanc-mate Tiridythas D’Vaire, Court of Draconis/High Court of D’Vaire
Royal Duke Costas Draconis, Court of Draconis
Alternates:
Grand Summoner Dre’Kariston D’Vaire, Coven of Warlocks
Grand Summoner-mate Somerly D’Vairedraconis, Coven of Warlocks
Venerable Knight Arvandus Ruarc-Daray, Order of the Fallen Knights
Venerable Knight Roman Calixtus, Order of the Fallen Knights
High Arcanist Delaney Volkov-D’Vaire, Spectra Wizardry
Vampyr Lord Grigori Volkov-D’Vaire, Vampyr Clutch
High Arcanist Idris D’Vaire, Spectra Wizardry
Dark Indigo Duke Macardle D’Vairedraconis, High Court of D’Vaire/Spectra Wizardry
High Arcanist Royce D’Vaire, Spectra Wizardry
Grand Warlock Familiar Renny D’Vaire, Coven of Warlocks
Grand Summoner Familiar Lucian D’Vaire, Coven of Warlocks
Lich Reaper Grymington Daray, Sentinel Brotherhood
Skeleton Seven –
Skeleton Lord Albrecht Ruarc-Daray, Sentinel Brotherhood
Skeleton Lord Brynnius Daray, Sentinel Brotherhood
Skeleton Lord Cassius Daray, Sentinel Brotherhood
Skeleton Lord Ducarius Daray, Sentinel Brotherhood
Skeleton Lord Eduard Daray, Sentinel Brotherhood
Skeleton Lord Gavrael D’Vaire, Sentinel Brotherhood
Skeleton Lord Gedeon D’Vaire, Sentinel Brotherhood
About the Author
Jessamyn Kingley lives in Nevada where she begs the men in her head to tell her their amazing stories which she dutifully writes it all down in what has become a small mountain of notebooks. She falls in love with each couple and swears whatever book she wrote last is her absolute favorite.
Jessamyn is married and working toward remembering to start the dishwasher without being distracted by the scent of the magical detergent. For personal enjoyment, she aids in cat rescue while slashing and gashing her way through mobs in various MMORPGs. Caffeine is her very best friend and is only cast aside briefly for the sin better known as BBQ potato chips.
Visit her website at: www.jessamynkingley.com
Join her Facebook Group, Jessamyn’s Ruffians: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jessamynsruffians/
Also by Jessamyn Kingley
Dra'Kaedan's Coven
Sentinel's Dagger
Vengeance from the Dark
Resurrection of the Fallen
Rise of the Lich Sentinel
Fall of the Arch Lich
The First Sentinel
Disregarding Fate
Irresistible Indigo
The Summoner's Path
Becoming D'Vaire
No Ordinary Drakeling
Eminently Elf
Precariously Mated
Letters to Aleksanta
Dravyn’s Garden
Imperial Twist
Unpredictable Fate
Marked by Lightning
Heart of the High King (D'Vaire, Book 19) Page 56