Page 31

I n a cloak embroidered with sparkly thread, Phillip stood in the D’Vaire memorial garden and took a moment to appreciate Fate. If someone had told him a few months ago he’d be in love and his dragon would be an enamored beast delighted with life, he wouldn’t have believed it. But thanks to Fate and the supportive people surrounding him, Phillip had come a long way in a short time.

A freckly redhead with beautiful brown eyes grinned at Phillip, and he returned his smile. Meeting Keegan had put Phillip on his journey toward peace and happiness. But as he turned his head slightly to take in a blond with glittering gems accentuating his green gaze, Phillip knew that without Victor, his soul would still ache with want. Phillip needed them both, and his adoration for them grew daily.

As a sentinel, Phillip was ruled by honor. In a few minutes, he’d bind himself to Victor and Keegan. Phillip vowed silently to allow nothing to come before them and to do everything in his power to add to their joy. Together, they would face both pleasure and pain as they encountered future obstacles. But Phillip knew they’d be okay as long as they had each other.

His dragon roared with delight. If there was anyone more excited about today, it was his beast. Which was sweet but also fraught with danger. The beast was ready to claim his mates. To do that without pain, the three of them would have to be aroused. Getting naked with Victor and Keegan was easily at the very top of his list of favorite things to do, but thinking about erotic bliss grew uncomfortable rather swiftly since his dick hardened.

The last thing Phillip wanted was to walk around with an erection. At least he had a voluminous cloak. He’d tugged that thing around himself the moment he’d arrived in the garden so no one would catch if his cock stiffened—as it was currently trying its best to do thanks to the idea of nudity dancing in his head.

Victor’s brow lifted, and his lips curved in a secret smile.

Keegan chuckled.

Sometimes it was rather inconvenient to have two men so adept at reading his thoughts.

“Think about it later,” Victor whispered with a wink.

“Think about what later?” Alaric asked. Since Victor, Keegan, and Phillip had wanted the Lich Sentinel and Arch Lich to officiate their ceremony, the pair were decked out in their finest regalia as they stood a couple of feet away.

“It’s not important,” Victor replied.

“Then why did you mention it?” Alaric asked.

“I wasn’t talking to you,” Victor answered.

“We are standing close to you; of course I would overhear and be curious,” Alaric stated.

Chander elbowed Alaric. “Behave yourself; let’s not ruin the ceremony before it’s even started.”

Apparently unwilling to argue with the Arch Lich, Alaric nodded. “Should we begin?”

“Don’t ask me,” Chander retorted as he gestured toward Phillip, Victor, and Keegan. “Ask them.”

“We’re ready to start whenever you are,” Victor said.

Alaric bobbed his head again. “Ladies and gentlemen, the Arch Lich and I are delighted to preside over this ceremony today. We thank High Kings Rafe and Aleksander D’Vairedraconis for allowing us to borrow their usual duties to bind the souls of Cinder Lord Phillip Osdraconis-Daray, Cinder Lord Keegan Hayes-Daray, and Cinder Lord-mate Victor Antonov-Daray.

“This year, the Sentinel Brotherhood had a historical first when the Arch Lich resurrected a sentinel whose life started with a beast. It was not easy on Phillip, but he was undaunted by the task. In true sentinel fashion, he attacked his studies—despite missing out on the aid of teachers—and received a near-perfect score on a comprehensive exam. Although sentinels dislike standing out among our brethren, every man I was chosen by Fate to lead is uniquely proud to know Phillip, and his title of Cinder Lord is well-deserved.”

“It’s no secret to anyone that I often lose myself in the things I love and forget the world around me exists,” Chander said. “To combat the messiness of myself and my Daemon Lords, I reluctantly agreed to add a housekeeper to our home. An eighteen-year-old cat shifter showed up for an interview, and the Darays were forever changed. Victor burst into our home with vivacity, and every speck of dust trembled in fear. But the most important tool in his arsenal is his heart, and he opened it to us with no reservations. It’s Victor who soothes our hurts, lessens our frustrations, and ensures we’re taken care of. We wouldn’t be a family without him.”

“I complain about fallen knights,” Alaric stated. “But there are a few of them I am happy to call family. One of them is Keegan. His kindness is without limit, and like his mates, he is highly intelligent. Although the Order of the Fallen Knights would benefit greatly from a recent graduate with such high scores in both mental and physical aptitude, it is the Sentinel Brotherhood richer for his presence. And he puts up with our constant questions regarding anything technological. At home, Keegan is a joyful person we can count on for anything.”

“It would be remiss of us not to mention that every matebond is fraught with obstacles,” Chander commented. “Asking two people to combine their lives is no simple task, which is why throwing a third person into the mix raises the danger of failure. That meant nothing to Keegan, Phillip, and Victor. They ignored statistics and with good reason. They understood nothing matters more in a matebond than accepting that anything is possible.”

“Victor, Keegan, and Phillip have elected to adopt every tradition shared by D’Vaires, and we begin with one that predates not just our entire extended family but each of our populations,” Alaric remarked. “On a realm now lost, the Fae offered gifts to the v’airsell niolls binding themselves before their goddess, Bétea. Noble Protector Drekkoril and Valiant Defender Daravius D’Vaire of the Fae continue this beautiful custom today. They have crafted a gift of pure sorcery and have asked Skeleton Lord Cassius and Skeleton Lord-mate Teverild Daray to present it.”

Phillip’s mouth nearly dropped in awe as Cassius and Teverild approached with a large statue of himself in dragon form with Keegan and Victor on his back. Victor was a gorgeous kitty, and Phillip was overwhelmed by the exactness the two Fae leaders had achieved. Phillip was grateful Teverild had temporarily handed his camera to his brother to snap a few shots of them with the statue; he wanted photos of every aspect of his ceremony.

“On behalf of the Fae, we wish you much joy and finest wishes on your union,” Teverild stated with a smile lighting up his cobalt gaze as Cassius beamed next to him.

“Thank you so much,” Victor enthused. “I can’t wait to find a home for this in our room.”

“Every elf honors matebonds by offering wreaths to the people binding their souls,” Chander said. “The D’Vaires and Darays have adopted this elven tradition. The circlets were designed by Killian the Dwyer and Drindyr Duke Dravyn D’Vairedraconis and will be presented to Phillip, Victor, and Keegan by Vellerynd Daray, Lich Reaper Grymington and Lich Reaper-mate Devlin Daray-D’Vaire.”

The floral wreaths were made of sunflowers with charcoal gray ribbons trimmed in sparkles, and Phillip loved them. He bent his knees to allow Vellerynd to place one on the hair he’d taken the time to comb before his ceremony. Phillip had borrowed Keegan’s brush to complete the task; he usually did nothing more than drag his fingers through it after a steamy shower with Victor and Keegan.

“Cinder Lords and Cinder Lord-mate, please raise your hands,” Alaric instructed.

Phillip handed one of his daggers to Brynnius and the other to Chander, who added his poison to allow Keegan to be cut, then passed it to Samson. To cut Victor, Keegan gave one of his blades to Morcant. The Skeleton Lord nodded at Phillip. A second later, he swiftly added the black poison known only to sentinels and a select few of their mates and used his body to shield the quick slice he made to Phillip’s palm. Thankfully, sentinels could move faster than the naked eye could perceive.

Ignoring the pain, Phillip held out his palm and allowed Brynnius to repeat the process on his right side. A moment later, Keegan and Victor pressed their hands to his and the lovely start of their matebond filled his mind. His dragon roared with approval and impatience. Neither man nor beast would be satisfied until bites completed their connection.

“Cinder Lords to Cinder Lord-mate and Cinder Lords to each other,” Chander said. “Their souls are now tied, and their lives are now linked. May their hearts always stay united so they will never want another.”

“For dragons, it is not enough to share bites,” Alaric stated. “They wanted the world to easily see their bond and started the practice of exchanging rings. As a dragon, Phillip honors this tradition as do his mates. They have asked me to express their profound gratitude for the all the masterpieces created for them by Madeline D’Vairedraconis.”

Pizza and Rogue rushed over to the three of them with a small velvet bag shimmering in the sun. Unlike many other couples, Phillip, Keegan, and Victor had opted to forgo the custom of wearing matching jewelry. They’d each wear three bands, and Madeline had outdone herself in crafting beautiful pieces for each of them to wear.

With some chattering between the two goblins, three glittering bands were passed to Baxter. He handed platinum-and-diamond rings to Keegan and Phillip. The last one he gave to Victor. It was the centerpiece of the set and had a large green amethyst flanked by two pink ones. Its sparkle would never be missed.

“Chosen by both Fate and Bétea, and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate and v’airsell nioll ,” Keegan said with a beautiful smile as he pushed the first ring onto Victor’s finger. Although Victor was visibly trembling, he slid the ring with the fat gemstones on next.

“Chosen by both Fate and Bétea, and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate and v’airsell nioll ,” Phillip repeated as he added the last band and gave Victor’s hand an affectionate squeeze.

Rogue dug into the bag and handed Keegan’s jewelry to Benton. Two black bands channel set with smoky quartzes were handed to Phillip and Victor. The center ring had yellow sapphires, and the colors of the set had been chosen to resemble a sunflower in honor of the scent that filled Phillip and Victor’s senses whenever the fallen knight was near.

“Chosen by both Fate and Bétea, and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate and v’airsell nioll ,” Phillip said for a second time as he slid the dark ring onto Keegan’s finger.

“Chosen by both Fate and Bétea, and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate and v’airsell nioll ,” Victor added once Keegan had pushed on the center ring and the cat shifter added the final one to complete the set.

There was a minor squabble between the two goblins.

“Do it together,” Alaric instructed. Perhaps because it was a formal occasion, the goblins chose not to continue their argument with themselves and now the Lich Sentinel, and together they passed the three charcoal bands created for Phillip to Gedeon. One band was scaled like dragonskin, and one had bones. The center one was enchanted to glow in the same flow of green and charcoal as Phillip’s weapons and was decorated with skulls.

“Chosen by both Fate and Bétea, and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate and v’airsell nioll ,” Keegan said as Phillip held out his left hand and smiled at the fallen knight pushing the first ring into place. Phillip slipped on the second one and aimed his arm at Victor, who grinned.

“Chosen by both Fate and Bétea, and accepted by my heart as true, I accept you as my mate and v’airsell nioll .”

Victor slid on the final ring, and Phillip immediately loved the weight of them on his finger. His dragon growled with delight too.

“The next tradition Phillip, Keegan, and Victor wish to honor is practiced by the Vampyr Clutch,” Chander commented. “Although they won’t use the sacred words of vampires, they’ll use their blood to seal the locks for eternity to honor the love they share.”

“Reverent Knights Drystan and Conley Gylde-Kempe and Scythe Lord Orpheus Daray will help them in placing the necklaces,” Alaric stated. “The cuts will be made with sentinel and fallen knight daggers by Skeleton Lord Ducarius Daray, Evergreen Tenebri, and Dudley Tenebri.”

Like their rings, the necklaces were individualized and crafted by Madeline. Conley put the triple chains of charcoal around Phillip’s neck. His lock was in the shape of a dragon head and had the Daray crest stamped in the center.

Keegan’s triple chains were a mixture of silver, black, and charcoal gray, and he was assisted by Drystan. The sunflower-shaped lock also had the Daray crest in the middle.

Like his rings, Victor’s three platinum chains sparkled in the sunshine, and they were embellished with diamonds. Orpheus helped him get the tiara-shaped lock with the visible Daray crest in the center near his collarbone.

This time, the tips of their fingers were cut so they could spread their blood on the locks. As Brynnius had, Ducarius used the black poison to cut Phillip. Soon they had the necklaces locked, and Phillip loved them as much as their rings. His dragon appreciated that the necklaces couldn’t be removed unless they exchanged blood again. It was another lovely way to be reminded that man and beast belonged to Victor and Keegan.

“With the traditions of the Draconis High Court of D’Vaire and the Daray family, you are now mates. You have honored us by allowing us to share this day with you,” Chander said.

They had one last task to perform, and that was to ask Fate for mating marks. Like the other triple matebonds in the family, Phillip, Victor, and Keegan were each electing to have artwork covering their entire left arm. Phillip slipped off his cloak. Beneath it he wore a sleeveless shirt and loose pants in dark gray, which matched the outfits his mates were wearing.

Phillip gave his cloak to Scythe Lord Masse Daray while Keegan and Victor handed theirs to Hexaniys and Eduard. Blades were passed around again, and Gavrael added his black poison to cut Phillip. Arvandus took a recently poisoned blade from Chander to slice Keegan’s palm, and it was Albrecht who nicked Victor.

Their blood mixed, and Phillip lifted his chin to speak.

“Cinder Lord to Cinder Lord. Cinder Lords to Cinder Lord-mate. Our blood has spilled, and our spirits have bonded. We ask Fate to grant us a mark from left shoulder to wrist so the world may bear witness we belong only to each other.”

A fiery burn seared his arm, but Phillip didn’t care. His gaze was locked on his mates’ arms. They were each given a unique sleeve. Victor’s had Phillip’s dragon in flight in addition to the Order of the Fallen Knights’ shield for Keegan. A perfect replica of Phillip’s dagger was on his forearm, and he had Keegan’s name in block letters near his shoulder. Any remaining space was decorated in skulls.

Keegan’s artwork was like Victor’s, but instead of the shield, he had a gorgeous Russian Blue wearing a tiara. Victor’s name also flowed across in his skin in a lovely script.

As for Phillip, he lacked the dragon, but he had a cat and a shield. He also had a dagger, but it was Keegan’s. Like his mates, he also had a smattering of macabre skulls perfect for a matebond with two undead guys.

“I need to shop,” Victor said.

“Good thing Phillip and I wear uniforms so you’ll have room in our closet for all your new sleeveless tops,” Keegan mused.

“It is also a good thing he looks beautiful in everything,” Phillip commented.

“Kiss already so we can have some cake,” Dra’Kaedan yelled.

“Dra’Kaedan!” shouted his mother, Lichpriestess Saura D’Vaire.

Phillip laughed as the Grand Warlock teleported away a second later.

“He’s going to miss out,” Victor said. “We picked blue velvet for one of the layers in his honor.”

“You did forget to kiss,” Alaric remarked.

Victor cupped Phillip’s face in his hands and brushed their lips together in a feather-soft caress. A second later, he did the same to Keegan. Wearing a smile, Phillip touched his mouth to Keegan’s.

“Thank you to the High Kings and everyone at D’Vaire for allowing Keegan, Victor, and I to have our ceremony here today. Your land is special, and we hope that enchantment aids us as we share our eternity together,” Phillip said to their guests. “And we are also grateful to Alaric, Chander, and every Daray for being with us on our journey. Your support has aided us, and I need to add a special thank you to everyone who helped me navigate the treacherous path my dragon and I started on. Without your help, I doubt I would be standing here today sharing my life with a kind beast and the two most wonderful men alive.”

“I love you,” Keegan said.

“I adore you both so damn much,” Victor added as he used his free hand to brush away tears.

“You both own my heart,” Phillip added as his dragon growled in triumph.

Their bond was close to being complete. Neither man nor dragon could wait until nightfall.