Conley let out a laugh and then walked the rest of the way toward his parents. He watched them embrace Conley tightly and give him what were no doubt words of encouragement though Drystan could not hear from this distance. Closing his eyes, Drystan took a moment to memorize the unique yellow-orange irises Conley would lose when the color of his dragon scales covered them. He’d gazed into those beautiful orbs for over eighty years, and he knew he would miss them in the future.
Lifting his lashes, he watched the man he loved to the depths of his very soul move to the center of the circle designated with a ring of stones for shifting. His dark cloak dropped to the ground and Drystan looked at the fine form of Conley’s backside. Drystan was glad Conley had chosen to face away, it would be harder somehow to watch his face as he changed into a dragon.
For the last time as a drakeling, he squared his shoulders and then his skin began to ripple with scales. At first, Drystan was unsure what color Conley’s beast had chosen. Then his muscles grew, and his bones elongated as his animal took over. The change was as fast as Conley was with a sword in the lists. It took no more than a matter of seconds. When the metamorphosis was complete, Conley stood before him no longer a man but a glorious creature of bright gold. Drystan blinked to see if the apparition would disappear as he’d never heard of a gilded dragon but no, Conley was a splendid metallic color so rich he appeared as if he could be made into a fine crown fit for an emperor.
The crowd had grown silent Drystan realized as he took stock of his surroundings. Then a rumble began which grew into raucous applause and cheers. There had never been a creature such as Conley and the inhabitants of Castle Bera knew they were witnessing something monumental. Drystan surveyed the happy faces and knew his face bore a smile as bright as anyone.
His gaze was drawn back to his magnificent mate who was still standing in the circle in his dragon form. Drystan wanted to see him soar. “Conley, take to the skies,” he yelled.
A brilliant set of gilt eyes turned his way and then Conley beat his wide wings and the azure sky was surely no more beautiful than at this moment. Conley flew in a quick circle then hurriedly and not altogether gracefully set his giant clawed feet back on the grass. Shedding his scales, Conley was back in human form in barely more than a few seconds. Quickly he grabbed his cloak and covered himself.
King Aeron and Queen Helen were smiling and seemed to want Conley’s attention but he gave them his back and hurried over to Drystan.
“I have never borne witness to such a sight. I thought to miss your yellow-orange eyes but they have been replaced with a color of such glory I would feel guilty to offer any complaint,” Drystan said as Conley ran toward him. He threw himself into Drystan’s waiting arms and it dawned on him his dragon mate was somehow upset. “What ails you Con?”
“I thought to be black,” he whispered into Drystan’s chest.
“I should be let down if you were to change to black now. You are a color fit for the emperor himself. Surely no dragon exists as majestic as you.”
“I have not let you down?”
“Were you the palest of colors or even without color at all, I could find no fault.”
Conley lifted his head from Drystan’s chest and met his eyes. Drystan could not help the grin that formed upon his face; the new color looking back at him was simply too impressive. “I love you, Drys.”
“I love you as well. Are you now calm? If so perhaps you would permit me the chance to allow my beast out?”
“Be well and be quick. Your body is a feast for me only.”
Drystan tried to give him a modest kiss but Conley licked his way in and it became a full mating of their mouths.
“I am most famished; perhaps the two of you could save your affections for later?” Drystan’s father called out.
Ending the long kiss, Drystan hugged his man. He removed his mating band and handed both of their rings to Conley before striding toward his parents.
“Is Conley not the most striking dragon in all the history of our people?” Drystan said to them.
“Had I not seen him with my own eyes I would think it a hoax. Gilded scales from head to tail. Such a boon to Court Bera,” his mother enthused.
“It is most magnificent, but we must focus on you now son,” his father replied.
“I have no fear of my shift.”
“Good, trust your instincts and remember the instructions of your dragon training. Your beast is ready, you must only release him. He knows what to do and will take care not to see you harmed.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Be well, Drystan.”
“I will, Mother.”
Kissing his mother on the cheek and getting a slap to the back from his father, Drystan walked to the center of the stones. He looked to Conley and gave him a smile. Conley appeared to be fidgety, but his brilliant eyes were resolute. Drystan released the clasp of his cloak and let it slide to the ground. Lifting his chin, he looked to the sky and let his eyes fall shut. He drew in a deep breath and searched inside to locate the beast who had been making himself known for the past few decades.
He let his dragon fill his mind and focused on letting go of his human form. Drystan could feel the pull of his muscles and the stretching of his skin as his senses grew stronger. Claws popped from his hands and feet and his spine elongated into a long tail. Leathery wings sprouted from his back as his body continued to grow and scales popped out over every inch of him.
It took several moments for Drystan to comprehend his transformation was complete. No longer a drakeling, he opened his eyes and recognized that his mind was now shared with a beast. Like him, his dragon first wished to locate their mate who was standing below him wearing a beatific smile. Once assured Conley was well, Drystan could feel the impatience of his animal to claim him. Blood-bonded since they were teenagers, without fangs they’d been unable to complete their mating. Drystan assured himself and his new creature they would see to biting him when they retired to their bedchamber this eve.
That thought calmed Drystan’s dragon, and he looked down to the grassy field and saw a pair of thick, scaly legs. They were a matte black so dark, they seemed to absorb light. As bright as Conley was, Drystan was the opposite. Giving a big beastly nod, Drystan confirmed what he had always known: he was meant to be a powerful force not to be reckoned with.
He lifted his gigantic wings and used the muscles in his four legs to push up off the ground. Once airborne, Drystan opened his giant jaws and filled the air with a burst of fire. The jubilant crowd beneath him roared their approval. As the other new dragons had done, he showed off by flying in a circle before lowering back to the ground.
Drystan remembered what it was to be human and slowly his beast retreated. His wings disappeared. Bones shortened and muscles slimmed while his skin returned to its normal peachy flesh. When he was again all man, he snatched up his cloak and raced to Conley. Sweeping him up into his arms, he swung him into an almost dizzying spin.
Conley’s laughter reached his ears. “You seemed to blacken out the very sun.”
“Did I not tell you what color to expect?” he teased.
In the distance, Drystan could hear his father addressing the crowd and supposed he was putting an end to the ceremony by directing them to the castle for the feast. Drystan stopped whirling Conley around and set him back on his feet. “My dragon wishes to sink his teeth into you.”
“Aye, mine had a similar desire for you.”
“It will be a night to remember.”
After handing him his mating band, Conley chuckled and said, “I am looking forward to it.”
Drystan slid his ring back on and then looked at Conley. When their eyes met, Drystan cocked his head to the side when he saw a swirling mix of emotions in Conley’s golden orbs. “What ails you?”
“I am well.”
“You must have cause for upset, for I do not see contentment in your eyes.”
“It is of no import.”
“Do not b
e ridiculous. If you are bothered, of course it is of import.”
“Mayhap we could discuss it later? We must celebrate with the others and your father will wish to announce your dukedom this eve.”
“It will be expected, but do not doubt we will get to the bottom of your problem when we are alone.”
“Come, your parents are awaiting us,” Conley replied as he pulled out of Drystan’s arms.
Grabbing Conley’s hand, Drystan walked over to where his parents still stood near the circle that had been so significant this day. All around them were happy folks tramping toward the castle.
“Drystan, your beast is most impressive,” his mother said when they were in hearing distance.
“Thank you, Mother.”
“Well done son, your dragon is grand,” his father added. “Let us hie back to the castle. You may head straight to your bedchamber to get clothed properly, but do not dawdle. Both of you are expected to attend the feast.”
“Of course, Father,” Drystan responded as the quartet began to walk.
“Conley, I trust you will keep Drystan from becoming distracted. I know both of you are most anxious to complete your matebond, but it must wait until after the festivities are completed.”
“Have no fear, I will not allow his attentions to be diverted.”
“Mother, Conley and I have waited these eighty-some years to be fully mated. I would not have it rushed in the few minutes we would have to spare before we are expected to join the celebration.”
“I am pleased to hear it. It is not an occasion in which to be hasty. You would not wish for Conley to remember it as a time that was less than fulfilling.”
“I am wholly adept at seeing to Conley’s satisfaction, Mother,” Drystan stated in a brisk tone. He was insulted by the very idea of not being able to see to Conley’s needs.
“You need not pout about it,” she said as they reached the castle gates. Even as a full-fledged dragon she could make him feel like a boy of six.
“I don’t pout,” he retorted. Conley and his parents laughed. He decided it was too auspicious a day to take offense.
Chapter 12
Conley pulled his tunic over his head and yanked his hair out of the garment before securing his belt around his middle. Sitting on the bed, he pulled on his boots and waited for Drystan to finish dressing.
“Are you sure you do not wish to discuss what ails you?” Drystan asked in a soft voice from the other side of the bed where he was sitting to put on his footwear.
“If we must discuss it at all, it will be later.”
“Very well, shall we head to the Great Hall?”
Conley stood and put his hand in Drystan’s large paw. They left their bedchamber and as they walked Conley tried not to drown in despair. This day had not turned out at all the way he had anticipated. All these years the plan had been for both Drystan and Conley to become dark dragons worthy of a dukedom.
Drystan had done his part and was the blackest beast he had ever seen. Somehow Fate had chosen to saddle Conley with an absurd creature the color of the elderly emperor’s crown. Would Drystan look down upon him with pity for not earning a title in his own right? Perhaps he would consider him nothing more than a hanger-on. Drystan would be a duke before the night was through and Conley nothing more than his mate.
The duties of his new station would separate them during the day, and Conley would be given work about the castle. He would see him at meals and of course, in their bedchamber, but gone were the carefree days of their youth when nary a thing split them apart. Would it change their relationship in such a way that their love would suffer?
Conley hated being a dragon. He wanted to go back to being a drakeling with Drystan at his side. As a duke, Drystan would be a confidante of his father the king. Conley would be privy to nothing and secrets would stand between them. It was childish for such things to matter, but Conley could not seem to help the tumultuous thoughts plaguing his mind.
Once they arrived at the Great Hall, Drystan handed him a tankard of ale. Conley decided if there was ever a night to bury himself in his cups, it was this one. He slammed back the entire contents of the mug while Drystan looked at him with wide eyes.
“I fear I have a strong thirst,” Conley offered in explanation.
“Another?”
Conley answered by thrusting his tankard toward Drystan. “Shall we find a bite to eat?” he asked, reasoning if he could distract Drystan with a meal he might not notice how much Conley planned to imbibe.
Drystan pulled him toward the table at the front of the room and they took their place to the side of Queen Helen as they always did during meals. She smiled at them, but the room was too loud to allow actual speech as all of Court Bera had been invited to join in the evening’s festivities. Conley focused on eating what Drystan procured for him and waved at each passing servant to keep filling his mug.
He heard Drystan loudly making a speech with his parents, but Conley did not offer his participation. By the time the platters of food were being removed, Conley found his view of the room was a bit hazy.
There was a tug on his tunic and Conley turned to peer into a pair of black scaly eyes that had been blue this morning. “Aye?”
“Con, are you well?”
“I feel as if you have asked me nothing but that all day.”
“That is due to you acting most peculiar. How much ale do you have in your belly?”
“A great deal Drys. A great deal indeed,” Conley said before letting out a loud belch.
Drystan shook his head and muttered something under his breath Conley was unable to catch.
A loud sound got Conley’s attention. Whipping his head over to see King Aeron, Conley almost toppled off his seat. Drystan’s arms snaked around him to keep him upright but he slapped them away. “Leave me be.”
“Fine, next time I will laugh as I stare at your crumpled body upon the floor,” Drystan griped. Conley would have rolled his eyes but he feared losing the contents of his belly if he did, so he ignored him and gave his attention back to King Aeron.
“I wish to give thanks to all of you for celebrating with us the addition of all the newly shifted dragons,” Drystan’s father began. “I am grateful to Fate all of our drakelings survived. Truly there is nothing sadder than to lose a child and I am glad no parent was given that pain today. The ceremony is done so I can now admit to you I did fear losing one or both of my sons. They will not appreciate that sentiment but I am most grateful to be able to put the anxiety behind me. I now ask for all of you to lift your tankards and join me in a toast. Tonight, we drink in honor of the gifts bestowed upon us. Of life. And of dragons.”
There was a chorus of King Aeron’s last words and Conley joined in them before downing yet another mug of ale.
“Before we begin the dancing, there is one more matter to which I must attend. Drystan. Conley. Will you please join me?” King Aeron requested from where he stood near one of the large fireplaces. In his hand, he held his sword. Drunkenly, he shook off his mate’s grasp and weaved his way over to Drystan’s father. He might have to stand there and watch his life change in ways he did not want, but he didn’t have to be happy about it. Not that he was not proud Drystan was about to become a duke, it was just he had thought to join him and knowing he wouldn’t be was an unpalatable thought indeed.
“Drystan, kneel,” King Aeron ordered and Conley put his arms across his chest as his man lowered himself to his knees. With his sword, King Aeron tapped it first to Drystan’s right shoulder and then his left. “Fate has honored you with a dragon so dark he blurs out the light around him. You are meant for power and greatness. From this day forward you will serve Court Bera as Duke Drystan Beradraconis. Tomorrow you will be fitted with a coronet and armor that befits your new station. Will you swear your fealty to your king?”
“I swear to protect the Draconis Court of Bera and shall raise my sword to protect my King and Queen and all the inhabitants of this Court should it be
a just and true fight. I will conduct myself with the honor and never stray from the values that govern our people. I vow I will uphold the laws of Emperor and never muddy the reputation of dragons.”
“Arise, Your Grace,” King Aeron commanded.
“Accept this as a sign of your nobility,” Queen Helen said with watery eyes and handed Drystan a thick silver ring with a black B engraved on its flat face as all the other dukes wore. He slid it on and kissed his mother’s cheek.
“Dragons of Bera, I give you Duke Drystan Beradraconis,” King Aeron shouted and everyone in the room exploded in merriment. Drystan was patted on the back by all those around him and he shook a great deal of hands. Then he walked up to Conley and gave him a hard kiss. Conley wanted to weep in shame for embarrassing Drystan by not being a dark beast worthy of such an honor.
“My good people, there is yet another task at hand. Conley, will you step over here?” King Aeron asked and Conley trudged up to him. He was to be handed a ring to show he was the mate of a duke. He wished it didn’t make him want to puke.
“Conley, kneel.”
“Pardon?” Conley blurted out. He was either more drunk than he thought or Drystan’s father had a perverse sense of humor.
“I asked you to kneel.”
“Why?”
“Father, my apologies. Con has over-indulged,” Drystan said as he marched up to Conley’s side. He slung his arm around him but Conley shrugged it off.
“I would have my ring so I may retire,” Conley stated. He was getting annoyed. It was apparent to anyone with sense he’d had too much to drink, Drystan did not need to make a fuss of it. Conley had had quite enough of this celebration and wished to find the comfort of his bed.
“You are not yourself Con. Father, perhaps you could give it to him on the morrow? I will escort him upstairs.”
“When I give an order, I expect it to be followed,” King Aeron declared and there was an undercurrent of steel in his tone Conley knew would spell out his doom if he were to ignore it. Drystan’s father had been a parent to him all these years, but he was also his leader and one did not discount the demands of a king.
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