Irresistible Indigo (D'Vaire, Book 9)

by Jessamyn Kingley

  “Don’t forget, I’m also responsible for keeping Roger and Greggory safe. Why would I be disappointed? I’m already fond of all five of you, though you’re without a doubt my favorite.”

  A warm glow emanated from the depths of Idris’s heart. Every time he was around Mac, the dragon shifter spoke about how much he liked him. It meant a great deal to Idris, as he was already enamored of everything about Mac. “I like you too. I was just wondering if you thought you’d have more important duties.”

  “What could be more important than guarding you? Even if we weren’t mates, you and Del are going to be part of Council leadership. Being asked to see to your safety is a job any duke would sign up for, and I was lucky enough to be chosen. How many dukes do you know, besides the ones who serve the Emperor, that have such significant duties?”

  “Brogan, for one. He takes care of the Grand Warlock and the Grand Summoner. I guess it’s just weird to think of myself as part of the Council leadership. I still feel like the kid who was wandering around my grandfather’s crumbling house wondering what the hell to do with my life,” Idris confessed. It was something he rarely spoke of to others, but he hadn’t been happy until after Latarian bumped into him. For all the evil she had done, she’d set forth in motion the events which led Idris to everything he had now. He never forgot that, although he had no sympathy for her or her misdeeds.

  “As far as Brogan goes, the D’Vaire dukes are the best, and that’s why we have such important duties. Do you want to be High Arcanist?”

  “Absolutely. It’s just weird to think about people looking up to me or to consider myself someone really important.”

  “Every person is important, and I think you’ll make a remarkable difference in the Council world because I know you want to help people.”

  “I do. I have a great deal to give back to the people who love me.”

  Mac’s dark eyes grew serious. “I’m sure they expect nothing more than the love you already give back to them.”

  The conversation was making Idris uncomfortable. He didn’t feel like he necessarily owed anyone anything; he just wanted to do all he could to let his family and friends know he appreciated the gifts he’d received, and he told Mac so.

  “You’re an incredible person. I hope you know that.”

  “That’s what I think about you.”

  “So, you asked Fate to bring you a mate who wasn’t too stupid. What else did you ask her for?”

  “Everything you are. I wanted a tall dragon shifter who wanted to live at D’Vaire. Did you ask Fate for anything about your mate?”

  “I spent time begging Fate to please bring me my mate, but I didn’t go into details beyond him being a guy. I had this latent fear that I’d get a woman and have an entire identity crisis because I wasn’t the person I thought I was.”

  “So, if you had gotten a woman, you still would’ve been with her?”

  “I damn well would’ve done my best to try and make it work. I’m not going to defy Fate, but it was a silly fear because she doesn’t make mistakes. I was paired with an incredible wizard with gorgeous indigo eyes and a dragon familiar who thinks I’m his nest.”

  Idris laughed. “It makes me wonder if all wizard familiars do that with their sorcerer’s mates. There are so few of us in the Council powerful enough to summon one, I don’t really have any other examples. I guess we’ll find out when Del’s dragon shifter shows up.”

  “How do you know Del will have a dragon shifter for a mate?”

  “He summoned Greggory before he ever got to D’Vaire. He told me he’s been drawn to dragons from the time he was four years old. I think that means Fate has already chosen one for him,” Idris said.

  “Makes sense.”

  Their server reappeared, and they both ordered the same burgers they ate a few nights ago. “How are your grandparents doing?”

  “Good, they like the woman who is taking care of them. Grandpa wants to know if you’ll do a video chat, so they can meet you.”

  “I’d be honored to meet them. Yes, I could do a video chat with you whenever you want.”

  “Thanks. I’d like to show you off. You spoke about being raised by your grandfather. Where was your grandmother?”

  “My grandfather never met his mate. He had my father with a woman he had a long relationship with, but she passed away, so he was alone by the time I came along.”

  “And your father, did he pass away too?”

  “I honestly have no idea. My grandfather hated him as well as my mother. He’d get angry whenever I asked about my parents. His face would turn very red and he’d start yelling. I don’t know if they’re dead or if they were just dead to him. He wouldn’t even tell me their names, so I have no way of searching for them if the Consilium would assist me, which they won’t.”

  “The Consilium’s really awful.”

  “They think I still belong to them and that the Council essentially kidnapped me from my home, which doesn’t even exist anymore because Chand destroyed it.”

  “He destroyed it?”

  “Yes. It was falling apart anyway, and I didn’t have many happy memories there, so I was okay with it. He needed to get rid of the big pile of Cwylld stones. Dra’Kaedan gave some to Cadlyr, but the rest were annihilated so they couldn’t be used to hurt people again,” Idris explained.

  “I’m so impressed by Dra’Kaedan and his brother. Their people were killed by the Cwylld because of those stones. Not only are the remaining Cwylld living at D’Vaire but Dra’Kaedan gave Cadlyr some of the magic stealing rocks.”

  “They’ve really helped me so much with school and stuff too. Not to mention the sanctuary that bears Dra’Kaedan’s name. It was originally his and Blodwen’s idea. When everyone thought Dra’Kaedan was dead, it was Brogan and Dre’Kariston who spearheaded getting the sanctuary in place.” Blodwen was the only full-blood necromancer at their home, and her mate was the child of the Reverent Knights. She’d also brought her sentinel, Gavrael, from the compound where his people were once imprisoned. Idris thought she was incredible, but he felt that way about everyone in his family.

  “Every time I learn something new about our family, the more humbled I am that Brogan chose me. I was the only duke who made the cut when he put the ad out there.”

  Their food arrived, and Idris bit into his juicy burger. It was just as delicious as it was the first time around. After swallowing, he said, “You talk all the time about your grandparents, but you rarely mention your mom and dad.”

  “I don’t know who my dad is. My mom won’t tell me, and he wasn’t in my life. As far as my mom goes, we used to have a decent relationship. Then Alfred showed up, and he took an immediate dislike to me. I don’t know what bothers him more—that my mom already had a kid, that I’m a black dragon who was already a duke, or that I’m gay. When he essentially banned me from most of my duties, I expected her to stand up for me, but she didn’t. When my half siblings were born, Alfred told me I wasn’t allowed to come to the house anymore without permission and shit like that. My mom went along with it, and it created a real rift in our family. My grandparents took my side, which made me uneasy since she’s their only kid. Grandpa was unmoved when I pleaded my mom’s case—he said he didn’t raise her to abandon her son. Things are no longer heated; we’ve all gotten used to our brand of dysfunction. My mom has isolated herself from all three of us, which I have to tell you really pisses me off. Grandpa and Grandma are old, and we don’t know how much time they have left. I fear she’s going to regret not spending time with them while she can, and despite her choices, they love their only child. It hurts their feelings when she ignores them, and they deserve better.”

  Idris was saddened by Mac’s situation with his mother. He couldn’t understand why she didn’t want a relationship with her own son as well as her parents. “I’m sorry. Was your mom upset when she learned you were coming to D’Vaire?”

  Mac shrugged. “I have no idea. I resigned and met with Alfred. I didn�
�t get the chance to speak to my mom in person. She sent me a text wishing me luck.”

  “That’s awful. I hope you don’t mind me saying so.”

  “I happen to agree with you.”

  “I guess you don’t know your half siblings well.”

  “Nope, Carter’s around eighteen, and Bryony’s a few years younger. I think the last time I saw them was about six months ago when Alfred hosted a birthday party for my mother, which for some reason, I was invited to. I think I said hello to Carter, but Bryony wouldn’t come near me.”

  “Wow.”

  “I don’t blame them. They’ve probably been told their whole lives how awful I am by Alfred. With no chance to be around me, they’ve had no way of making up their minds on their own.”

  “Your mom shouldn’t let him say mean stuff about you.”

  “I agree, but she wants to please her mate.”

  “I hope you don’t let me force you into making poor decisions just because we’re mates.”

  “Same goes. I want you to be happy in every aspect. If you’re not, then we need to find a way to compromise, so we both wind up getting a good deal. I don’t want anything about our relationship to be lopsided.”

  Idris found it impossible not to tease Mac. “Then maybe you should work on sharing Roger.”

  Mac’s smile was gorgeous. “Hey, your familiar doesn’t even let me sleep in my own bed alone. I’ve had to wear those goofy-ass pajamas Larissa makes. I’ve slept naked for close to two centuries. It feels like I’m being strangled by my clothes every night, but I can’t curl up with Roger when I’m in the buff.”

  The thought of Mac naked was causing all of Idris’s blood to flow into his dick. “I always wear pajamas.”

  “Consider that something we’re going to need to compromise on in the future.”

  Idris was blushing, but he couldn’t help it. Words failed him, so he just nodded. He hoped before the night was through, he would get his first kiss. One thing was for sure—he was going to have a hell of a time trying to sleep with images of Mac wearing nothing but his tattoo dancing through his head.

  Chapter 15

  Mac shut the passenger side door of his truck as soon as Idris climbed out. He offered the wizard a smile and grabbed his hand as they headed toward the door of the mansion they called home.

  “I like holding your hand,” Idris said.

  “I like holding yours too. It means I’m close enough to smell cinnamon.”

  Idris turned to face him, and his brows knitted together in confusion. “Cinnamon?”

  “Yep, that’s what you smell like. My grandmother used to make the best cinnamon rolls on the planet. I love your scent.”

  Mac opened the front door and waved Idris through. Once Mac was inside, he closed it behind him and made sure it was locked, then grabbed Idris’s hand in his own again. Before he could take a step or say a word, a small indigo dragon flew into the hallway and landed on Mac’s shoulder. “I guess he missed me.”

  “I brought you some cake, Roger,” Idris told his familiar who nuzzled against Mac’s neck.

  “Should we bring him into the kitchen, so he can eat it?”

  “Yeah.”

  They walked into the kitchen and found several D’Vaires, including his king, sprawled out watching television. Idris put the box of cake down on the counter and from out of nowhere, Greggory appeared.

  “No worries, Greggory. I got you a piece too,” Idris said. Roger, probably afraid he would not get his treat, flew down into the little sink Aleksander installed years ago when Delaney first arrived. Mac waited patiently as Idris gave them both their treats.

  “Do you miss having Roger with you all the time?”

  “I don’t want to make you feel bad but yes, I miss him. He’s got his own space in my room, and it’s so weird to have it empty all the time.”

  Mac grinned. Idris just gave Mac the perfect opportunity to get him alone. “I’d love to see it.”

  “Sure.”

  After securing Idris’s hand once again, they left the little dragons to devour their treats and headed down the hall toward the bedrooms. They arrived at Idris’s door and went inside. It was done in Idris’s indigo as well as a rich cream. Mac was looking forward to when he called the exquisite space his as well as his mate’s. “I like your room.”

  “Thanks. I asked Larissa to make me some stuff with your dragonskin, but she told me she can’t do it yet.”

  “Sorry, I’ve got a couple of weeks before my dragon will be ready to shed his scales.”

  “Over here is Roger’s space.”

  Mac’s eyes followed the finger Idris was pointing with to see two pieces of drywall painted in the same vanilla as the rest of the room jutting out from one corner. The gap between the walls had a velvet indigo curtain draped to one side. Through it were thick, cushioned shelves perfect for a tiny dragon to relax on.

  “When he’d sleep in there, I’d close the curtain so he’d have privacy. There’s a television mounted on one level and a tablet loaded with games he can manage to play on another. There’s even blankets for him in case he gets cold,” Idris revealed.

  “If I could get my fat dragon in there, I know he’d be cozy.”

  “Your dragon isn’t fat. Nothing about you is fat.”

  Mac took a step toward Idris and put his hands on his sides right over where his shirt was tucked into his jeans. “I have a confession to make.”

  Idris’s arms rose upward, and he wrapped his fingers around Mac’s biceps. “You do?”

  “Yes, I had an ulterior motive when I asked about Roger’s space.”

  “You did?”

  Mac kissed his nose. “I wanted to get you alone.”

  “Okay, but you should know I’m not letting you out of my room until I get my first kiss.”

  “Deal.” Mac leaned forward and set his lips against Idris’s. It was nothing more than simple contact, but goosebumps broke out over Mac’s suddenly heated skin. Before he could decide what to do next, Idris slid his tongue out and licked him. Mac opened his mouth to deepen the kiss and while the wizard might not have any experience, he certainly wasn’t lacking in enthusiasm.

  Idris raised his arms and wrapped them around Mac’s neck. Mac responded by folding him in his embrace and rubbing his palms down the long muscles of Idris’s back. His blood heated, and his erection grew, prodding Idris’s belly. It didn’t deter the wizard, whose hard dick poked Mac in the hip.

  Desiring friction of any kind, Mac rubbed a little against Idris. The other man let out a moan, and Mac tried to hold on to his sanity. He wanted Idris naked beneath him but despite his now raging hormones, he would not take the wizard’s innocence without care.

  “We should slow down,” he murmured against Idris’s lips.

  “I want you.”

  “I want you too, but you’re new to all this and we just kissed for the first time.”

  Idris pulled his head back and lowered his hands back to Mac’s biceps. His pupils were dilated, his cheeks flushed, and in his eyes was pure irritation. “Then you should go, so I can jerk off.”

  Mac put a little space between them and yanked Idris’s belt buckle loose and undid his jeans. As he lowered his zipper he said, “I didn’t say we couldn’t fool around.”

  The bright smile Mac loved appeared. “Okay,” Idris replied. Then he mirrored Mac’s actions by unbuckling his belt and unfastening his jeans. His hand shook with nerves, but it didn’t slow him down.

  Because Mac was afraid he would lose his mind the second Idris touched his cock, he decided to distract him. He leaned forward, capturing his mouth again as he slid his hand into Idris’s jeans, and cupped his sex through his underwear. Idris gave a little squeak and stroked his tongue more forcefully against Mac’s as he thrust his body upward.

  “Feel good?” Mac asked as he stroked Idris’s rigid length over cotton.

  Idris kissed him firmly and slipped his fingers through Mac’s open jeans. They danced over the
fabric of his boxers. “I think you’re bigger than me,” he said as he familiarized himself with Mac’s dick.

  Though Idris wasn’t touching him in a way that should have allowed him to come, Mac’s balls tightened. He pulled his hand away and put both palms back over Idris’s hips; then he walked the stunned wizard backward until his ass hit the long dresser behind him. After pushing aside a spectacular statue of a sorcerer complete with a pointy hat and wand, he shoved Idris’s pants and underwear down in one smooth move. Idris’s eyes went wide with astonishment as Mac reached down, grabbed the back of his thighs, and lifted him onto the piece of furniture.

  Idris let out a hiss. “Wood’s cold.”

  “Sorry, you okay?” Mac asked as he kissed the corner of his mouth. He was pleased that Idris was now at the perfect height. Idris’s hard cock was going to match up perfectly with Mac’s erection once it was freed. The wizard grasped Mac’s jeans in his fists and tugged hard. Once the denim slid down, Idris yanked the dark boxers to the floor as well.

  “I like the way your dick looks,” Idris told him as he used one finger to trace its length.

  “Same goes, sweetheart.” Mac took a step forward closing the space between them; then he remembered it would feel a lot better with lube. “Lube in the nightstand?”

  “I keep extra in the dresser, it’s just one drawer over.”

  “Thank Fate,” Mac muttered as he reached over and fished out a fresh bottle. Getting the stupid thing open was harder than necessary, he decided when he finally got the damn plastic protective shit off. He nearly sighed as he finally squeezed some out into his palm.

  Mac pressed close to Idris again and recaptured his mouth as he grasped both of their cocks in his hand. Idris moaned into their kiss as Mac stroked. Idris’s hands came up to once again clutch Mac’s arms; only this time his grip was much stronger. The wizard undulated his body, which increased the friction and therefore the pleasure.

  “Yeah, just like that,” Mac coaxed against Idris’s lips.

  “Gonna come soon,” Idris panted out. He wasn’t the only one. Nothing had prepared Mac for what it would feel like being with Idris. His scent invaded his senses, and the touch of his skin was mind-blowing. His ass clenched as he thought about the dick in his hand buried inside him. Mac already craved being inside Idris just as much. Then all thoughts scattered as tingles raced down his spine. His balls drew up tight and Idris jerked against him.