“We’d like to have it as soon as possible,” Grigori replied.
“What’s the rush?” Duff asked.
“When you find your other half, fall in love, and know you want to be with them for eternity, you’ll understand the desire to have that bond in place as quickly as you can get it,” Dra’Kaedan said.
“How’s next Saturday work? That gives us about a week and a half to plan it,” Aleksander suggested.
“Deal,” Delaney replied.
“Details, details. We need details,” Skeleton Lord Gedeon D’Vaire insisted. “Where should we start?”
“Cake,” Dra’Kaedan demanded.
Grigori turned to Delaney and there was merriment in his pale eyes. The Grand Warlock was about to be handed a monster lie. “I’m sorry, Dra’Kaedan, but I hate cake. I don’t want the stuff anywhere near the eternal promises I’ll make to Delsaurus.”
“Hate cake?” Dra’Kaedan repeated, his face a mask of pure shock. “But it’s so yummy…I can’t even…” The warlock dramatically slid out of his chair and onto the floor where he lay there muttering about all the qualities of cake he liked. He mentioned frosting at least five times.
Brogan grabbed his plate as well as Dra’Kaedan’s, then stepped over the prone body of the Grand Warlock to get to the dishwasher. “So, we’re all assuming it’s going to be here, but is that what you want Grigori?”
“Yes, I want to do it in the garden like Idris and Mac and several other couples have done,” Grigori responded.
“Would you like the Vampyress and your father to officiate the ceremony?” Aleksander asked.
“No, they’ll handle the vampire portion of it, but I was thinking you and Dra’Kaedan could share that duty. You’re king, and he’s in charge of the sanctuary that brought Del here,” Grigori replied.
Dra’Kaedan’s head popped up from the floor. “It’d be an amazing honor for me. Thank you.”
“Would you please get up?” Saura demanded of her son. “My goodness, how old are you anyway?”
“Too old to count,” he retorted as he got back into his chair.
“We don’t know anything about vampire traditions. What will you need for your ceremony?” Noirin asked.
“I’d like to add in as many D’Vaire traditions as possible. As for the vampire portion, we’ll need to exchange collars—you guys call them necklaces. Delsaurus, you won’t get your fancy one until I drink from you, so they’ll be simple like the ones my parents wear. We’ve got some words to say and of course mix our blood,” Grigori explained. “I’d like that to be in addition to whatever is normally done here.”
“It’s a mix of dragon and magickind traditions,” Aleksander remarked. “We’ve done elven when appropriate too.”
“What do you think?” Grigori asked. “I think we should have it all.”
Delaney chuckled. “This is going to be the most elaborate ceremony D’Vaire has ever seen.”
“I’ll do elven wreaths for you guys in black and red roses,” Duke Dravyn offered. “I have a couple of other ideas to decorate the memorial garden with roses too since they’re so integral to the vampires and the Volkov family.”
“Thanks, that’ll be amazing,” Grigori replied.
“Does that mean you want rings like dragons wear in addition to your necklaces? I can make the rings, but I did some research and know the necklaces have blood locks. I have no clue how to do that,” Madeline said.
“I’ve already taken care of the collars, so we’re good there. Definitely want rings. Did you have a design in mind for us?” Grigori asked. Delaney was surprised Grigori had already arranged for their necklaces—collars, he reminded himself to call them—but it made him warm inside that Grigori was planning for their future.
“I was thinking red in the center that bleeds to black. How does that sound? We can do the underside in D’Vaire blue-black, and it should be noticeable at the edges,” Madeline suggested.
Delaney glanced up at Grigori, who was smiling. “Sounds great,” he assured her. “Can you add roses to my crown?”
“I might have already fashioned a couple so I could do just that,” Madeline responded.
“Perfect. I’d like to have them engraved on the sides of my ring of rank too, if that’s all right.”
“Oh, I didn’t even think of my ring,” Grigori said. As a Vampyr Lord, he wore a thick gold one with a beautifully flowing V on the flattened top of it.
“I can add black thunderbolts on the sides. It’s the traditional symbol of wizards, and you can see how it’ll look on Mac’s. His are obviously indigo though,” Madeline commented. Mac dutifully put his ringed finger into Grigori’s view.
“I love it, let’s do it,” Grigori stated. He slid off his band and handed it to Madeline.
“Mating athame?” she asked.
“If it’s okay, I’d like to use the one my parents used,” Grigori said.
“I’d love that,” Delaney told him.
“So, I might’ve already started working on your cloaks and stuff for the ceremony,” Larissa revealed. “Del, did you want me to add roses to the cloak you wear to Council functions?”
“Absolutely.”
“They’re going to look so nice against all the black,” Idris enthused.
“Speaking of which, our bedroom needs some red,” Delaney stated.
“I like it all black,” Grigori argued.
“Needs red,” Delaney countered.
“You know, if you guys can’t decide on the design for your bedroom, maybe you aren’t as ready as you think you are to move in together and pledge your eternal love,” Duff drawled out.
“We’ll add red,” Grigori said. “But only a little. I like the black.”
“A smidge. I promise.”
“Are we going to follow the ceremony with what’s become our traditional barbecue and beer? Are we inviting the full extended family?” Noirin asked.
“Yes and yes,” Delaney responded.
“Great, then I think that’s everything,” Noirin commented.
“Just one more thing,” Grigori said.
“What did we forget?” Delaney asked.
Grigori grinned at the Grand Warlock. “The cake should be red velvet, and I want chocolate frosting so dark, it’s black.”
“I solemnly promise to use all the magic at my disposal to make sure that chocolate is the same beautiful shade of Delaney’s eyes,” Dra’Kaedan vowed.
“I’m going to smother that thing with red and black roses and gold leaf,” Noirin promised.
“Well, family, let’s get to work. We don’t have much time, and this ceremony needs to be perfect,” Aleksander said.
“As perfect as Grigori and Del are for each other,” Mac agreed. Delaney lifted his head, and Grigori brought their lips together. The shifter’s words might as well have come from his own heart.
Chapter 23
Idris bumped Delaney’s shoulder and smiled at him. “I’m so excited for you and Grigori.”
“He’s so incredible. I don’t know how Fate paired us so perfectly, but he gets me, you know? Like you do.”
“Only better, because you’ve got the whole sexual attraction thing going on.”
“Shit, Idris. Now I understand why Duff’s obsessed with getting laid.”
“Yeah, sex is incredible. I’m still glad I waited for Mac.”
“Me too, but sometimes I get nervous. Like, how do I know I’m good at it?”
Idris gave him a disbelieving look. “You can’t figure it out from his reaction? Imagine how much more nervous you would’ve been with a stranger.”
“I couldn’t have done it,” Delaney confessed. “People are frightened by me even when I’m just standing there doing nothing. In my head, I’d be thinking, ‘This guy is going to bail at any moment. I’m a freak and he knows it.’ ”
“You’re absolutely wonderful, and it’s stupid that not everyone can see that. Look at how easily Grigori fell in love with you.”
; “Idris, I’m so crazy about him, it’s frightening.”
Idris reached over and rubbed his arm. “It’s supposed to be. You love him, and you want to be sure he’s happy. That fear will make sure you keep him and your relationship a priority. If you didn’t care so deeply for him, it wouldn’t mean anything to lose him.”
“You sound exactly like Grigori. He said almost the same thing. I see your point. I guess I’m not that good at vulnerability. It reminds me of being a scared little kid with nobody.”
“Just keep reminding yourself you’re not him anymore. You’re Delaney the Dark, and you’re in a fantastic relationship with a very sexy vampire who loves you. You also have the best family on the planet.”
“Damn right I do. You’re right about all of it. I just want to be this epic, fearless sorcerer who kicks ass and takes names.”
“Fear keeps us in line. It’s like Saura says, ‘Without the darkness, there can’t be any light,’ ” Idris countered.
“You really are the best.”
“I think the same about you. I’m so glad you have a mate you love. I wanted it so badly for you.”
“It’s nice that I’m not the third wheel with you and Mac anymore too.”
“You were never that,” Idris argued.
“You’re right. Roger’s the weird third wheel.”
They both laughed at Idris’s familiar who never left Mac alone.
“Hey, there’s not supposed to be any fun in here,” Dra’Kaedan called out as he showed up in the doorway of the Dark Indigo office with his brother, their familiars, and their parents.
“Maybe that’s a rule for the Coven of Warlocks, but the Spectra Wizardry has a more enlightened approach to things,” Delaney retorted.
Dra’Kaedan snorted. “Dream on. So boys, are we playing with magic today or what?”
“Let’s have a little chat first,” Dre’Kariston suggested. “Del, I’d planned on shadow walking next Saturday, but now that I’ve got a much more impressive and important event to attend, I need to reschedule. Do you want to come with us the day after your mating ceremony?”
“Yeah, I’d love to.” Delaney wanted to shadow walk and was so glad that one more benefit of having Grigori bonded to him was that he could finally accompany the other dark sorcerers.
“Dear, have you discussed it with Grigori?” Saura asked as she settled her tiny frame into a comfy indigo-and-black chair.
“We did talk about it shortly after we met. I’ll bring it up again to him, but he didn’t seem to have any objection.”
“Somerly’s shitting bricks over it. He’s afraid I’m going to get stuck on the other side of the veil, and we’ll never see each other again,” Dre’Kariston confessed. Though Dre’Kariston had shadow walked before, it was at a time when he and Somerly were separated. Delaney was thrilled when the pair worked out their issues and found their way back to each other.
“You’d see each other again,” Renny supplied. “If you died, he’d no longer be immortal. If he survived his heart sickness, he’d only have to wait two or three thousand years before his lifespan was over. Then you’d be reunited in death.”
“Great, Renny. That’s really helpful to tell a concerned mate,” Dra’Kaedan retorted.
“It’s called a joke.”
“Even though Somerly’s nervous, he understands the importance of what we’re doing and my desire to speak with Derwin,” Dre’Kariston said. “I’d like to know he’s all right. I need to know if he’s alone and whether he’s found the Coven of Familiars. If he hasn’t, we’ll have to come up with a plan to find them and get him to a place where he’ll be around other people just like him.”
“Can a temporary crossover like myself shadow walk? If Derwin’s not with the Coven of Familiars, I can locate Eldwyn. My familiar won’t be pleased to see me, but I know he’s going to want to help. Not only does he care for every familiar but like all our people, he’ll want Carvallius to pay for what he’s done to us. We’d be alive if not for his evil,” T’Eirick stated.
“A question for Chand. I don’t know if you can shadow walk. You’re hardly more than spirits yourself and are close to your walk back on that side. You might not be able to return,” Dre’Kariston commented.
“I could find the Coven of Familiars, right? I’m one of them. I could shadow walk to locate them if necessary,” Lucian, Dre’Kariston’s familiar, asked.
“I don’t see why not. Did you want to come with us? You’re welcome to do so. I’m sorry, I didn’t even ask. That was really rude of me,” Dre’Kariston remarked.
“I have no fear of the dark magic inside me, but I’ll admit death does freak me out. I’m not going to be signing up for a shadow walking day trip unless it’s necessary. I’ll help because this is too important not to. No worries about not asking me—I didn’t even consider it until we started looking at options for what we do if Derwin isn’t with the Coven of Familiars,” Lucian responded.
“Trust me, you’re on the right side of the veil. Some people get the chance to live again if Fate rebirths them but for all the warlocks that died, the majority are still waiting. Death’s not agony, but it can be an endless abyss without remarkable people like Chand. It hurts me to think I once disparaged his people as evil. They have a gift, one Fate was gracious enough to give,” Saura replied.
“I’m just glad we finally convinced you to stay,” Dra’Kaedan said.
“Okay, so our Del’s going to talk to Grigori, then you’ll shadow walk, so we can get our plan set in motion. In the meantime, we have a purpose here today,” T’Eirick stated.
Idris untangled his limbs from the sofa and grabbed a metal box done in the colors of Aleksander’s dragon. “I have the stones. I’ve used magic to engrave two thunderbolts over a dragon’s head, so we know this is the wizard version of the D’Vaire stone.”
“Idris, you really do think of everything,” Saura enthused.
“Let’s start with one and see how this goes,” Delaney suggested. “Idris, if it becomes too painful, stop casting.”
“It’s not going to be a big deal,” Idris responded. He took a single stone and set it on the coffee table.
“Dra’Kaedan, start with your healing spell. Idris, when you’ve got a grasp of it, let me know, and I’ll funnel my magic through yours,” Delaney instructed as he stood next to his best friend. Dra’Kaedan took a spot on Idris’s other side. If their plan worked, it would create a stone that when used by a dark wizard would heal minor issues without much pain. “When it’s twisted properly, aim it into the rock.”
A thick beam of light flew from Dra’Kaedan’s hands onto a spot a foot away from the D’Vaire stone. Idris thrust out an even wider swath of indigo, and he grimaced the second it hit Dra’Kaedan’s magic.
“You okay?” Delaney asked.
“It’s not horrible, just stings,” Idris responded. “I’m familiar with warlock magic. I’ve got this. Go ahead and slide yours into mine.”
“This is getting sexy,” Dra’Kaedan quipped as Delaney pulled from his deep pool and layered darkness over the indigo. Seconds later, it twisted into a rope with Idris’s power; then it became a braid of black, bluish-purple, and gold.
“Heading for the stone,” Idris said as he tugged it across the space. The rock glowed at the edges as they shoved it full of dark mending. Delaney studied Idris’s face carefully for signs of distress. There was tension in his jaw which proved he was making light of how it was affecting him, and Delaney was incredibly proud of his friend’s perseverance. Minutes later, the object they were counting on to allow people like Delaney to heal themselves rattled on the tabletop.
“It’s as full as you’re going to get it,” Dre’Kariston remarked. “You can stop casting.”
Delaney tugged his magic back inside himself, and the other two sorcerers did the same. Relief was written all over Idris’s face.
“Go ahead, Del. Touch it. What do you think?”
Delaney cast a quick spell to create a bl
ack shard with a sharp edge. He slit open a cut in between two of the lines Vadimas gave him as he ascended through the wizard levels. A moment later, he picked up the D’Vaire stone. A sharp sting hit him first, then his skin healed.
“Hell yes, it worked,” he enthused.
“How bad was the pain?” Dre’Kariston asked.
“Are you asking me or Idris?”
“Idris is going to lie and say he was fine. I’d like you to be honest,” Dre’Kariston retorted while Idris scrunched his nose in disapproval.
“It really wasn’t bad. More intense than the cut I made, but it levels off. Not nearly as bad as having Dra’Kaedan shoot a bunch of power into me,” Delaney explained.
“I don’t see why the simulations didn’t show a hundred percent completion average,” Idris commented. “It wasn’t hard at all to twist the dark around the light. This isn’t that intense of a spell.”
“Well, we’ve had practice mixing our magic before, and we’re not your average bunch of wand-wavers,” Renny retorted.
“None of us even own magic wands,” Dra’Kaedan told his familiar.
“We should, it’d be awesome,” Renny enthused. “I think I’ll start collecting them.”
Delaney thought the idea of a wand collection was kind of awesome, and he made a mental note to find one for Renny’s new venture.
“Anyway, so how do you feel about the two warlocks, one wizard combination for the stone?” Dre’Kariston asked Idris. “You’re the one doing the hardest part of this thing. How confident are you feeling?”
“Very, and we’re going to do the necromancer, warlock, and wizard combination as well. These aren’t going to save any lives, but they are a convenience dark sorcerers haven’t had before. They may wind up obsolete with the darkfallen, but it might also be nice to have them on hand if Saura and T’Eirick are busy, or you don’t feel like bothering them over something minor,” Idris said.
“We can’t count on Fate to make us powerful menders yet anyway. We’d like her to, but the reality is, we’re conquering new ground. Though all of you are becoming professionals at that, this one is out of your control,” T’Eirick stated.
Becoming D'Vaire (D'Vaire, Book 11) Page 19