“Which is the worst part of it, if you ask me. I like it when we all get together and solve issues. Asking Fate to do this is the right route. There really isn’t another avenue, but it’s hard to just hand over the control and have no say in it,” Renny commented.
“It’s like being in a relationship,” Delaney remarked. “You have to be content to give it your all, but you have no clue what the future will bring.”
“The future for you and Grigori looks amazingly bright to me. He’s such a lovely young man. You make a wonderful couple, two beautiful smiles and love glowing all around you,” Saura told him. “I’m so excited about your ceremony. I can already see how incredible it’s going to be in my head.”
“Thank you, it means a lot that everyone’s so happy for us,” Delaney said. He was blown away by the joy his family had over his relationship with Grigori. Of course it was difficult for him to imagine anyone not liking Grigori. The man was smart, gorgeous, and had a great sense of humor. Even Duff, who couldn’t stand Delaney, had no problem with the Vampyr Lord.
“Okay, so Del’s blushing and all but shuffling his feet in embarrassment. What do you say we make some more of these stones? You up for it, Idris?” Dre’Kariston asked.
Idris nodded and gave Delaney a half hug. “Yep, let’s do it.”
Grateful for the chance to make more of the D’Vaire stones a reality, Delaney focused on using his magic and bringing forth a new chapter in dark sorcery.
Chapter 24
Grigori was in his bedroom at his parents’ condo and packing up what was left of his belongings. Though he had some time until his mating ceremony, he saw no need to continue to go back and forth. His new lab was ready, and he wanted to usher forth new experiments in it, but he was honest enough to admit he would miss the one his father created for him when he young. He comforted himself with the knowledge that his parents were unlikely to do anything to make him feel less welcome in their home. The lab and his bedroom were destined to remain just as he would leave them, so he and Del could visit.
After shoving the last of his underwear into a suitcase, there was a knock on his door. He opened it to reveal his folks. “Hey, guys.”
“Hello to you too. Tigglesworth tells us you wished to speak with us,” his mother responded with a warm smile.
“I do. Where’s Nikolai?”
“Still chatting with Tigglesworth, I assume,” his father said.
“Charlie’s there too?”
His mother lifted one finely arched black brow. “Must be big news. Dare I say something to do with Del?”
“Geez Mom, don’t wreck my big moment. Let’s go find the rest of the family.”
Irina chuckled but didn’t say anything more as Grigori led his folks across the condo to the kitchen, where he managed to find the other three members of his family.
“Gentlemen, Grigori has a big announcement to make,” his mother said from behind him.
“I do. Next Saturday, Del and I are going to have our mating ceremony,” he replied grandly.
There were no words in response to his statement; Grigori was greeted by bone-crushing hugs instead. When he could finally breathe again, there were tears in his mother’s eyes.
“Mom, seriously. It’s going to be okay.”
She smacked his arm lightly. “I’m not crying because I’m scared or worried. My baby boy’s in love. How else could I react but with joy? These are tears of happiness.”
“Why didn’t you bring Del here with you to celebrate?” his father asked.
Grigori sighed and went with honesty. “Because I was expecting you guys to react with some level of concern, and he’s already jumpy. I want him to actually show up on Saturday.”
“I can still be thrilled for you while I’m concerned,” his mother responded in a hurt voice.
“Okay, I’m sorry. I should’ve brought him.”
“Yes, you should have. Now, tell us everything. Where’s it going to be? D’Vaire?” Irina asked.
“Yeah. I’d like to use your athame. Is that okay?” Grigori asked.
Irina tugged him into her arms again. “Oh, sweetheart. Of course that’s okay. It means a lot to me that you’d want to. Thank you. The moment I mixed my blood with your father’s was one of the best of my life. The only other times that compare to it are when my sons were born, and I got to add Keyton and Charlie to our family.”
“I was hoping you’d be okay with it. Tigglesworth and Charlie used it. So I figured after two incredible matebonds with it, the dagger would bring us the same kind of luck.”
“It was an honor for Charles and me to be allowed to use something so dear to the family, my lord,” Tigglesworth said.
“If you mean that like you’re not a part of this family, I’m going to get very angry with you, Keyton,” Irina retorted.
“Wow. Key, you’re in big trouble. She didn’t call you Tigglesworth,” Charlie commented. His brown eyes were full of humor.
“Yes, thank you, Pet. I figured that out. I don’t wish to confuse our role as trusted servants and take advantage of the Volkov family, Vampyress,” Tigglesworth responded.
“You’re testing my patience, Keyton.”
“Before your mother explodes at Tigglesworth—who’s a Volkov, whether he likes it or not—I’d like to ask if you’ve thought about collars,” his father interjected.
“I’ve already had them made. I’ll show you,” Grigori said. He dashed down the hall toward his bedroom and grabbed the boxes he’d kept out to show his family before he packed them for D’Vaire. When he returned to the kitchen, his mother was still eyeballing Tigglesworth, who was calmly pouring glasses of champagne for everyone. He set his treasures on the counter and opened the first one. “These are the ones for our ceremony. I took the Volkov design and added a D. Delsaurus and I are going to be Volkov-D’Vaires.”
“Did I mention how adorable I find that nickname you’ve given him?” his mother asked. “I like the hyphenated names. These are lovely. What’s in the other two boxes? I was only expecting one more collar for Del when you begin feeding from him.”
“Well, I didn’t want to leave Greggory out of things. So I had a little chain made for him,” he told his family as he revealed the small collar he’d commissioned for Delaney’s familiar. “I thought you could hold him during the ceremony. Charlie and Tigglesworth could help you attach his collar at the right time.”
“I can’t even stand how cute that is,” his mother crowed.
“Now show us the exciting one,” Nikolai encouraged.
“I just want to warn you. It’s different. He’s Delaney the Dark—I couldn’t give him something all red,” Grigori prepared them as he lifted the lid. Inside was what he thought was the most perfect collar on the planet. It was thick, black, over half an inch wide, and the texture made it appear as if it morphed from dragon scales to velvet depending on which direction it caught your eye.
At the front was the gold rectangle that hid the blood lock with a V and a D interlaced in fancy script. On either side was a square ruby with a rose etched onto the top and surrounded by black diamonds. Unlike other nonvampire mates, it would lie flat against his skin, so it didn’t interfere if he wore a collared shirt.
“Oh Grigori, this is a work of art,” Irina said reverently as she traced a finger over it. “It even feels like scales and velvet.”
“It’ll look fantastic on him,” Nikolai assured him.
“It’s really going to bring out his eyes, isn’t it, Key?” Charlie asked.
“Yes, Pet. I’m sure he’ll somehow be even more remarkable to look at in this masterpiece. Excellent job, my lord,” Tigglesworth responded.
“Grigori, he’s going to be thrilled to wear this. Every vampire on the planet is going to know he’s a High Arcanist. Wonderful design,” Alexei remarked.
“I’m so glad you guys like it. I was worried you’d think it wasn’t very vampire-like.”
“Nonsense, every vampire should craft something
perfect for their mate, and you’ve certainly done that,” Irina countered.
“So you think Delsaurus is going to like it?”
“Of course he will,” Irina responded. “But you don’t need to ask us that. You likely know better than anyone what he likes.”
“Mating is some scary stuff,” Grigori confessed.
“Yes, it is, but let’s have a toast,” Irina insisted as she handed him a flute of bubbly. “To love and happiness.”
“And absentminded scientists who make announcements without their mates,” Grigori tossed in a moment before he sipped the champagne.
His mother chuckled. “That too but since Del isn’t here, let’s talk. You’ve got two weeks from the time you put this first collar on him before you’re going to need to drink. What’re we going to do to make it safe for both of you?”
“Why overcomplicate it? Start well before you feel thirsty. Drink for a few minutes and set a few timers to stop yourself,” Nikolai stated.
“Seriously, Nikolai…that was my idea,” Grigori complained.
“What, you think you’re the only smart one in this family?”
“Promise me, Grigori, you’ll stop when the alarm goes off. You tend to get so focused on something, you lose track of the world around you. That’s why I didn’t suggest that in the first place,” Irina insisted.
“Mom, Del’s going to be there too. He’s not going to let me just suck him dry. We’ll set at least three alarms and start with just a small taste and work up to a full drink. I was thinking four minutes and go from there.”
“Okay, okay. Del should call if you freak out on him.”
“He will. He won’t be any happier than you if I freak,” Grigori said. It was incredible to think the reason Delaney would be upset was because he loved him. Since their conversation the previous night, he’d floated on a cloud after learning about the wizard’s feelings for him. He was nearly in a state of disbelief that plans for their mating ceremony were underway.
“At least Fate gave you a responsible sorcerer I know I can count on and not some whacko,” Irina remarked.
Grigori smirked. “I’ll be sure and let Delsaurus know you don’t think he’s a whacko.”
“How’d you give him that name anyway?” his brother asked.
“It just popped into my head, but it suits him. He’s a powerful presence who stomps around changing the world with each thunderbolt he shoots.”
“My lord, dinosaurs didn’t shoot thunderbolts,” Charlie argued.
Grigori waved a hand. “That’s why he’s a Delsaurus. Unique among his dinosaurkind. Strong, sexy, and with tons of magic.”
“I can’t say I’ve ever thought of a dinosaur as sexy,” Nikolai countered.
“Well, your mate’s still wandering out on a grassy plane somewhere. Someday you’ll be waltzing into some fancy event just as I did, and there he’ll be in all his Triceratopsness.”
His brother’s brow lifted in much the same way their mothers did—only a thicker more masculine version of grace. “Triceratops?”
“They were mauled by Tyrannosaurus Rexes, you know. Eaten, even.”
“Your brain’s a fascinating place, Grigori,” his brother responded with a chuckle.
“I’m lucky Del’s not-normal like me.”
“The important thing is, you’re both happy,” Alexei said.
“He’s the most incredible person I’ve ever known, and that’s saying a lot—considering you guys are my family,” Grigori told them truthfully. He had not only spent his lifetime loving each of them, he admired and respected them. Grigori was glad Fate gave him someone who was just as fascinating. A man who captured his heart and miraculously loved him back. It was a gift he would forever treasure, and that meant making sure Delaney wanted for nothing. A lofty goal that he intended to achieve.
* * *
Hours later, Grigori was deeply troubled by his desire to ensure Delaney’s life included everything he wanted. He’d teleported to D’Vaire after sharing a lovely meal with his family where he filled them in on the details of his upcoming ceremony. Grigori was greeted with an enthusiastic kiss from Delaney, then found a cuddly familiar on his shoulder.
However, his pretty mood popped like a bubble when they started talking. He was thrilled to be handed one of the new D’Vaire stones, but it was the subject currently being discussed he would do without given the opportunity.
“Is Dre’Kariston sure he wants to wait to shadow walk? He could move it up a day instead,” Grigori tossed out, treading carefully as he rubbed a hand over Delaney’s leg. The wizard was sprawled out over him on the couch. They’d ditched their shoes, and his initial intention was to get them undressed, but that was not anywhere on his radar now. He hated to think of Delaney on the other side of the veil for any reason at all.
“Yeah, another day isn’t going to matter. Besides, it gives us more time to fine-tune our plans for how we’re going to root Carvallius there.”
“This is something you really want to do?”
Delaney nodded with a smile. “Absolutely. It’s so cool. It’s one of the perks of being a dark caster. I’m lucky enough to have a powerful enough necromancer who can take more than one person with him when he crosses.”
“This is safe?”
Delaney’s grin disappeared. “Shit, you’re worried. Dre’Kariston said Somerly was shitting bricks over him going again. We talked about this before, and you seemed okay with it. I don’t want to make this a thing between us. If it bothers you, I can stay here. I mean, they’ll tell me all about it, and I’m just going to explore. They don’t need me to be there for any of this.”
The wizard’s willingness to drop his idea of going made Grigori feel small and awful. “No, I think you should go. I’m nervous but not like sweating-profusely-going-to-faint-any-minute crazy. I trust you, and I trust the Arch Lich.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I can’t keep you from doing things because it’s not something I’d want to do or because I’m scared. This is something you want, so I think you should go. Somerly and I will just hold each other tight until our men return from their trip.”
“You might be careful embracing him too snugly. Dre’Kariston’s got a lot of power, he might flatten you.”
“Well, then I hope you like it on the other side of the veil, because he’ll send us both there, and I won’t have you saying ‘Oh, for fate’s sake, Grigori, now we’re fucking dead and this place sucks.’ ”
“I won’t. I’ll start out by reminding you that you missed our first date, and you got yourself killed by cuddling the fuck out of Somerly.”
Grigori kissed his welcoming mouth. “I only cuddle the fuck out of you.”
“Then we just might be safe. You sure you don’t want me to skip it?”
“I want you to go. Well, no…that’s a lie. I don’t want you to go. I want you to stay here with me but I’ll get over it, because that’s selfish. You’ll only be gone for a little while, then you’ll have this amazing experience to tell me about.”
“It’ll be okay, I promise.”
“Just like when I drink from you the first time.”
Delaney pressed their lips together and snuck in his tongue. He pulled back after their kiss ended. “Your brother’s idea is great. I think it’ll work. We’ll set our phones and the alarm clock. We won’t be able to ignore all that fucking noise.”
“I had the same idea as Nikolai,” Grigori complained.
“Too late, he said it out loud first.”
“My family wasn’t happy I left you at home.”
“We’ll make it up to them. Do dinner or something.”
Grigori nodded, pleased his family was important to Delaney. “We’ll have to arrange our schedules. In the meantime, they’re excited about spending the weekend at D’Vaire and finally getting to meet T’Eirick and Saura.”
“I can’t believe we’re going to be mated so soon. Terrifying thought but you know, beautiful and shit t
oo.”
“Delsaurus?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m going to use that plug on you tomorrow.”
His brows came together in an annoyed line. “Why not now?”
“My ass needs you. Wait your turn.”
Delaney’s husky laugh filled his ears; then he molded their mouths together. Grigori set aside his fear over shadow walking as Greggory flew off his shoulder, retreating from the sexy times about to happen. He gave himself over to the exquisite feelings Delaney stirred in him. He needed to be filled up by him, and he could tell by the voracious way he was kissing him that Delaney was on the same page.
Chapter 25
Sitting at his desk, Delaney grinned at the wall. The night before, he’d taken Grigori again, and it was even better than the first time around. He wasn’t nearly as nervous with a tiny bit of experience under his belt, and he lasted longer than a couple of seconds. He’d even waited to shoot his load until Grigori’s hole clamped down on his dick like a vise.
Delaney doubted he’d ever come so hard. If that wasn’t enough to make him smile, Grigori had special plans for their evening, and he couldn’t wait to feel the plug buried in him. Since he first started masturbating, he’d learned how sensitive he was, and he wanted to explore that side of himself with Grigori.
His expression grew pensive as he thought about his vampire. For some reason, he had elected not to settle into his new lab. Delaney worried that Grigori was disappointed with it or that he preferred to stay at his old one, but his other half assured him nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, he was not going to be working at all.
He decided to take the day off—no science and no equations. Delaney hoped it was not because he was stressing out over their future and the upcoming ceremony. He would call the damn thing off before he let it churn Grigori up. As if the man in question heard his thoughts, Grigori popped his head into the office.
“Hey, you busy?”
Delaney stood and met Grigori halfway across the room. “Never too busy for you, what’s up?”
“I’d like to speak with you privately. Will you come to our bedroom with me?”
Becoming D'Vaire (D'Vaire, Book 11) Page 20