Vengeance From The Dark (D'Vaire Book 3)

by Jessamyn Kingley

Getting annoyed, Talfryn said, “Are you insane?”

  “Perhaps, but I am correct.”

  Tired of whatever game Lorcan was playing, Talfryn barked out, “How the hell is that possible?”

  Grinning, Lorcan said, “Easy. Should I find you annoying, I will simply follow through on my plan to use our mating athame to kill you.”

  Rolling his eyes as Lorcan laughed at a joke only he found amusing, Talfryn pushed him out of the way and got up to take a shower. Once in the bathroom he smiled to himself at Lorcan’s absurdity and marveled that against every odd possible, they were together again.

  Chapter 36

  One month later, Lorcan stood next to Talfryn and held a fistful of carefully beaded necklaces that he and the other elves made for this day. The entire D’Vaire family and several special guests were standing in the brand-new memorial garden surrounding the gazebo that had been built for Dra’Kaedan. Aleksander had insisted the dedication of this very special part of their expansive land include elven traditions.

  The deaths of loved ones among elves were celebrated with the passage of time. It was common for their kind to hold great feasts and speak of happy memories of their fallen kin. They also gave any member of their tribe that had been forced to say good-bye to anyone on their family tree a simple necklace for every life lost. Each one was unique and beaded to display tribal colors. For Talfryn, Lorcan had made one of lavender and for the warlocks who were part of today’s ceremony, he had chosen blue, black, gold, and silver. His brother would wear one of red and black, and Idris’s was a brilliant cobalt.

  Looking around, Lorcan marveled at the end result of the garden itself. Under their feet were cobblestones, and Idris had gone with a very simple dedication for his deceased grandfather. There among the stones was one trimmed in the cobalt blue of Idris’s eyes and apparently his grandparents’ as well. His family name, Vioric, was etched into the paver and it was a humble remembrance of the man who had raised Idris until his death.

  Lorcan’s favorite part of the entire memorial area was the centerpiece of the design. An enormous fountain stood directly in front of the building that had once rested in the yard on its own. It was a one-of-a-kind multi-tiered cascade of water flowing over fused stone and metal in a way that only magic could achieve. Decorated in blue-black metal with accents of silver and gold, it possessed dragons, elves, and sorcerers at work. The fountainhead was the head of a lion which Lorcan knew to be the symbol used by the Coven of Warlocks when Dra’Kaedan and Dre’Kariston’s parents had lived.

  To the left of the gazebo was a wide circle of stone warlocks. At the center stood the late Grand Warlock, T’Eirick. His head was bent over a thick book, and it gave Lorcan and the other onlookers the impression that he was reading from it to his captive audience that included his mate, Scheredin’s parents, and all their familiars.

  In the center of the tableau was a small bench that sat the teenage sister Scheredin had presumably lost. She wore a mischievous smile, and her hands were folded in the lap of her long gown. Dra’Kaedan had done an extraordinary job of creating lifelike pictures from their memories and had given them to a gifted sculptor. Although Lorcan knew them to be made of granite, they were astonishingly realistic.

  When Aleksander had approached the elves as to how they wished to have their tribes honored, both the Acwellan and Cwylld had decided that they would take a different approach than the warlocks. On the opposite side of the wooden structure that bore Dra’Kaedan’s name stood two elves and a bench. The stone seat was decorated in elven scrollwork that resembled the beading they wore on their clothes. On the top, engraved in block letters, were the words ACWELLAN and CWYLLD. Guarding it were elves in the likeness of those same tribes. The Acwellan elf was faceless and fashioned of metal by Madeline D’Vairedraconis. Behind him were a pair of blood-red wings, and the man himself was dark as night.

  At his feet were black roses that Dravyn had ordered from the druids. They were matte and seemed to almost absorb the light around them. The other flowers Dravyn had planted were the pure lavender of the Cwylld tribe. Rising from them was a stunning pale purple and light golden statue that seemed to change colors as you viewed it from different sides. Like the Acwellan elf, this one was faceless, and his head was tilted to the sky as if he wished to feel the rays of the sun on his face.

  It reminded Lorcan of Talfryn, who was in an almost identical pose, at his side. He loosely held his handmade necklaces as Aleksander waited for everyone to get settled so he could say a few words and officially dedicate this idea of his that had been brilliantly executed. The normally exuberant D’Vaires didn’t make him wait long.

  “First, I’d like to thank the Prism Wizard, the Arch Lich and his sentinel Baxter, and the Reverent Knight for being here. This is a very special weekend for our family, and we are delighted to be able to share it with you. And Vadimas, thanks for allowing Idris to set aside his studies to be here as well.

  “Idris Vioric-D’Vaire is an integral part of this family, and we’re honored that we were able to add a modest tribute to the man who raised Idris before he made his way to our court. Addis Vioric helped Idris become the young man he is today, and our lives are all for the better now that Idris is a part of us.

  “It is fitting that the foundation of this garden is the gazebo we hand-built to honor a beloved member of our family. In an instant, we lost Dra’Kaedan and with the help of his parents who we honor here today, he was returned to us in the very building that was meant to immortalize his memory.

  “As our family has grown, it has expanded to include the ones that have already departed. It occurred to me that we needed a place to celebrate their lives and give us a spot to reflect upon the joy they left in the hearts of those who knew them. When you come here and I hope you will, let it be without sorrow.

  “Behind me are the warlocks that changed the world. Grand Warlock T’Eirick and Grand Summoner Saura built the foundation that is today the Council of Sorcery and Shifters. But they were so much more than just our forefathers; they were treasured loved ones. T’Eirick’s brother Dagon and his mate Zayra also had a pair of loving children. Although we do not know the fate of their youngest, Klodjana, we hope that whatever side of the veil she walks on, she has found happiness.

  “Two elven tribes now belong to the D’Vaire family. The Acwellan with their demonic blood are unique among the thousands of tribes that make up the elven world. It is appropriate that we would celebrate their distinctiveness by showcasing the bright red wings that set them apart. They’re as beautiful as they are unique.

  “Cwylld elven have played an important role in the shaping of your modern world. It would be foolish of us to ignore that they sought out resistance where they could find it and warred until the bitter end. But it is never too late to begin anew, and though others outside of the Draconis Court of D’Vaire may not be able to find forgiveness in their hearts, we are made of sterner stock and have let the past go,” Aleksander said before gesturing for the warlocks, wizard, and elves to join him.

  Lorcan stepped forward as did the others. They took turns exchanging necklaces in silence. The weight of them did their job and reminded him of all those people that had impacted his life both for good and for bad. He took the last necklace in his hand and dropped it over Talfryn’s head.

  Talfryn gave him a small smile. His eyes were full of both sadness and joy, a fitting combination for such an occasion. He pulled his man close and wrapped him in his arms. Looking at the Acwellan statue over Talfryn’s shoulder, he thought not of his parents but of Nyley and Heriell. A tear slid down his cheek as memories bombarded him. Flashbacks of boyish antics and young men fighting side by side with him.

  What they had done to Talfryn was wrong. They’d nearly destroyed Lorcan’s life and in the end managed to extinguish their own. He knew he would never forget the pain they had caused him and his mate, but Aleksander’s words of forgiveness touched him as he soothed himself by rubbing his hands over Talfryn
’s back.

  He needed to forgive them if he ever truly wanted to leave the past where it belonged. They were gone and he was here. Tomorrow afternoon he would stand in this very spot and rededicate his mating pledge to Talfryn. It had to be done by pulling away from the darkness in his soul.

  “I love you, anleydir,” he said into Talfryn’s ear. His mate’s arms tightened around Lorcan’s neck.

  When he spoke, his voice was a teary whisper. “I love you, too.”

  Lorcan pulled away so he could see his eyes. They were wet with the same tears Lorcan had spilling down his face.

  From the side, he heard his brother’s voice. “Hey, no tears, you guys. Seriously, you’ll get me started.”

  “My apologies, Corwin,” Lorcan said as he let go of Talfryn to scrub his cheeks. Corwin practically fell into Talfryn’s arms before he released him and crushed Lorcan into a hug. Soon Lorcan was sharing embraces with Cadlyr, Idris, and all the warlocks and their familiars. Dry eyes were hard to find.

  “Thank you, Aleksander, that was beautiful,” Lorcan said to their king. Aleksander assured him no thanks were necessary, and it had been his pleasure to honor their people in this way.

  The D’Vaires and their guests began to trickle away from the area and toward the house. Lorcan took the opportunity to pull Talfryn toward the elven bench. They sat and waved as they slowly found themselves alone in the garden.

  “I have to say that was pretty perfect,” Talfryn said.

  “I agree,” Lorcan replied. “I have decided to forgive Nyley and Heriell.”

  “Good. You should. I have.”

  “How do you do it, Tally?”

  “Do what exactly?”

  “You have managed through all of this to stay positive. I do not know how such a thing is possible.”

  “Simple. I know our love is strong enough to conquer anything.”

  “Even my desire to seek out vengeance and set my mind on destroying us?”

  “Yes, it can even overcome you,” Talfryn replied before kissing his cheek. “I blamed myself in the beginning. For the war.”

  “You had nothing to do with your parents’ choices.”

  “I know, but I was Cwylld. If we had not met, the war would have never begun.”

  Lorcan gave him a wry smile. “And where would I be without you? Light to my dark. That is what you are.” He brought their lips together in a gentle kiss.

  Grinning, Talfryn said, “It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it.”

  “Fate chose you.”

  “She’s pretty amazing, isn’t she?”

  “Indeed,” Lorcan agreed before standing and offering his hand to Talfryn. “Come, it’s time to go inside. We have a mating ceremony tomorrow, and your hair is not fit for a chieftain.”

  Talfryn rose, framed Lorcan’s face with his hands, and gave him a smacking kiss. “It’s about time.”

  “For our mating ceremony or your hair being decorated?”

  “I would think that was obvious,” Talfryn said. “Both.”

  * * *

  “Are you truly going to use all those beads?” Cadlyr asked.

  Lorcan looked at him before running the brush through Talfryn’s long hair. Next to him was a large metal bowl nearly overflowing with black and lavender beads. “Yes.”

  Cadlyr shook his head. “His head is going to weigh a ton.”

  “That brings up a question I’ve always wanted to know,” Dra’Kaedan began. “Do you guys ever wash your hair?”

  Corwin gawked. “Of course we wash our hair. I take a shower every day, and I definitely use shampoo and conditioner.”

  “I only ask because I have literally never seen any of you with wet hair.”

  “Blow dryers, you have heard of them?” Brogan asked.

  “We don’t need blow dryers. Elven hair dries almost instantly. It is believed we once had magic and for whatever reason that carried over when we lost it,” Cadlyr said.

  “That totally ruins my image of you guys with your big pointy ears using shower caps,” Renny, Dra’Kaedan’s familiar said.

  “I wonder if that’s true about elves once being able to cast spells,” Dra’Kaedan said.

  “I would think it has to be. How else would they be considered magickind?” Dre’Kariston replied.

  “Good point.”

  “They aren’t really sorcerers though,” Renny said.

  “Technically true,” Brogan replied.

  “Then why isn’t it the Council of Sorcery, Elves, and Shifters?” Renny asked.

  “Because I didn’t change the name when the elves began to join the Council,” Arch Lich Chander Daray said.

  “You were the Council leader. Why not?” Renny asked.

  “It’s a good question, but I have a poor answer. I never thought of it. I consider them magickind and though they cannot cast spells, they are still born of magic so sorcerer fits in a way,” Chander said.

  “Did you ever get any letters from irate elves asking to be added to the name?” Derwin, Dre’Kariston’s familiar asked.

  Chander grinned. “Not a one.”

  “I have a more interesting question,” Brogan said. “Lorcan, how did you meet Talfryn?”

  “At an elven gathering. Back then, tribes would gather together every few years to hopefully find mates,” Lorcan replied. “I wonder if they still do those kinds of things.”

  “They do. Every year there is a giant one and all the Council tribes go. They even invite tribes that aren’t a part of the Council,” Prism Wizard Vadimas Porfyra said.

  “That’s good to know. We will have to find out how to attend. Corwin and Cadlyr are unmated,” Aleksander said.

  “I would love to go,” Talfryn announced with excitement.

  “I would rather not,” Cadlyr said. “One mate committing suicide after meeting me was enough.”

  “Your brother and I have much in common,” Lorcan said.

  “You mean the fact you can both turn into Captain Poutypants?” Talfryn asked cheekily.

  “Captain Poutypants,” Corwin shrieked before laughing hysterically.

  “I’m sure there is a better way of putting it,” Lorcan said.

  “They are glass half-empty people,” Aleksander offered.

  “That works nicely. Thank you.”

  “So, what did you think when you first saw Talfryn?” Brogan asked, returning to his original inquiry.

  “That he was the most gorgeous creature ever created by Fate. I didn’t know what I had done to deserve such a man, but I was grateful all the same.”

  “Funny, that’s what I thought about you,” Talfryn said before grabbing his hand to kiss the back of it.

  Separating a section of Talfryn’s hair to braid it, Lorcan slid a bead onto it before replying. “Then we were introduced, and he spent the rest of the day talking to my brother.”

  “I was nervous,” Talfryn exclaimed. “I had a mate who was a chieftain. Oh, and part demon. My head was ready to explode.”

  “It didn’t prevent you from trying to invite me to lie with you that night,” Lorcan replied as laughter broke out in the room.

  “I was anxious and horny,” Talfryn said. “And you were the one that started kissing me first.”

  “Yet it was a month before we were mated.”

  “Yeah, what were we thinking?”

  “Clearly, we were not.”

  “Are you guys excited about doing it again tomorrow?” Dra’Kaedan asked.

  “I’m always excited when we do it.” Talfryn’s voice was wicked, and Lorcan had little doubt his mate was wearing a grin to match.

  “Stop bragging about your sex life. I was talking about your mating ceremony,” the warlock replied.

  “I am excited for the ceremony,” Lorcan said.

  “Me too, mostly because it means I won’t have to look at Lorcan’s mating marks in red, and that awful third hoop will disappear.”

  “I think I speak for all us when I say we are all thrilled you wan
t to share such a special occasion with us,” Aleksander said.

  Renny smiled. “Dra’Kaedan is more eager than anyone.”

  “I am?”

  “I have one word for you: cake,” Renny replied.

  “Cake. I love cake.”

  Lorcan lifted the corner of his mouth in a half smile as the people that were becoming his family bantered back and forth. This place was more than simply magical, and he was grateful beyond measure to be inside of Dra’Kaedan and Dre’Kariston’s dome that enclosed all that was D’Vaire. Once he’d spent his days waiting for night so he could try and escape. Now he savored his days and cherished the nights he spent lying with Talfryn. Today his life was far beyond anything he’d ever wished, and he owed it to Fate for choosing a man who was undeterred no matter what stood in his path. Lorcan would allow nothing to ever break their bond again.

  Chapter 37

  The morning of his second mating ceremony, Talfryn stood in front of the large mirror over his dresser and turned his head from side to side so he could admire his Lorcan’s handiwork. The top portion of his hair was pulled back from his face and separated into several thin braids that shimmered with all sizes of black and lavender beads. Down his back the intricate style continued and was accented with sections of twisted locks.

  It brought forth memories of the boy he’d been over a thousand years before when he’d pledged to love and honor Chieftain Lorcan of the Acwellan. Talfryn wished he could go back for just a few minutes to warn that poor sap danger was lurking around the corner and if he were not careful he’d wind up back under his father’s boot as a blind fool with no memory of who he really was. His lips twisted as he considered what his reaction would have been to such advice; It was very likely he would have paid little heed.

  Always headstrong and sure of his own power, Talfryn wouldn’t have believed that there was a problem he could not solve with perseverance. As it turned out, it may have taken more time than he would have wished, but his unswerving dedication to his heart had paid off. Today he would promise Lorcan his very soul. This time it would be a different kind of vow.