Page 2 of D’Vaire or Nothing (D’Vaire #44)

“I think that was sweet of Elf, and I can’t wait to see the hotel.

It’s Vegas themed. I know they wanted to surprise us, but I went on the website and looked at the pictures.

They named it Deck of Cards. Whole place is based on playing cards, which is cool.

The restaurant is also an ode to dragon royalty and is called the King of Clubs.

How awesomesauce is it that the High Kings will be one of the first couples dining there? ”

“Okay, not going to lie, that’s incredible. But why aren’t you freaking out that Aleksander and Rafe will be in a restaurant without you?”

Brogan smiled, but it was wobbly and didn’t reach his dark blue scaly eyes. “Why would I freak out?”

“You aren’t planning on doing anything stupid, are you?”

“When have I ever done anything stupid?”

Dra’Kaedan couldn’t help it, he laughed at the man he adored more than everything else in the world. “Do you really want me to list all the stupid things you’ve said or done since the day we met?”

“It’s not that long of a list,” Brogan grumbled, his navy gaze downcast.

“Sure, whatever you say. Now, tell me what you’re up to tonight.”

“Well, you and I should probably eat dinner somewhere.”

“We aren’t eating in the King of Clubs.”

The grin fell from Brogan’s face, and his lips thinned in annoyance. “Why not? It’s got a great menu. Elf and Chrys had Henry hire the chef.”

Henry Gennevios was part of their large extended family and a renowned chef. But that was hardly enough to sway Dra’Kaedan to show up and ruin Rafe and Aleksander’s night.

“Because we aren’t crashing Aleksander and Rafe’s date.”

“Double dates are a normal thing, Dra’Kaedan.”

“Yeah, if one couple invites the other. Did Rafe or Aleksander suggest we join them for dinner?”

Brogan’s hands slipped from Dra’Kaedan’s arms, and he stepped away to fiddle with his already-packed suitcase. “Not exactly.”

“Not exactly, or not at all?”

“I’m sure they won’t mind.”

“If you really believed that you would’ve already discussed it with our High Kings.”

“Obviously, I wanted to speak to you about it first,” Brogan mumbled.

“Except I had to confront you about your strange-ass behavior and get you to admit you were crashing their date. How often do they get the chance to have a night out? They’ll be in a safe place, so Aleksander will be relaxed.

Rafe will take care of him if he gets nervous, and there won’t be any danger.

I don’t want to steal this from them, okay? ”

With a heavy sigh, Brogan sat on the navy bench at the end of their bed and bowed his head.

Dra’Kaedan walked to him and combed his fingers through Brogan’s soft curls.

It was difficult for his mate to handle his fear of anything happening to a D’Vaire.

Dra’Kaedan could sympathize with Brogan’s sense of duty and responsibility, but he’d long wished for the Grand Duke to settle down, if for no other reason than to avoid putting himself through so much anxiety.

“I need them to be safe,” Brogan said quietly.

“Tell you what…we can eat at the restaurant, but at our own table, okay? You can sit so you can see them. That’s the best I can offer you.”

Brogan sat up and smiled. “As long as they take their wolves, I can live with that.”

Many years ago, Arch Lich Chander Daray had tied the souls of resurrected wolves to Aleksander and Rafe. Nox and Mortis weren’t normal animals given a second chance; they had the instincts of sentinels—the most elite assassins on the planet.

“Mortis and Nox will definitely be there,” Dra’Kaedan said. “We can insist on it if our High Kings have somehow convinced the wolves to leave them be for dinner.”

“Okay.”

“Okay. Now you’ll have to rethink your evening and suffer through a date with me,” Dra’Kaedan teased.

Brogan tugged Dra’Kaedan close and wrapped him tightly in his arms. “I love the idea of spending a couple of hours with you.”

“Because you love a good steak?”

With a chuckle, Brogan kissed him. “I love you more than any steak.”

“I almost believe you.”

“I’ve adored you since the day we met,” Brogan vowed.

Dra’Kaedan laughed so hard he snorted. “You asked Aleksander if I was real. You thought I was an under-baked weirdo. The next day, you asked me if I had all my working parts.”

The grin Brogan gave Dra’Kaedan could only be described as lecherous. “You definitely have all your working parts, and I hope I can test them out again later, after our date.”

“Do you think we can convince the kitchen at this restaurant to give us a bowl of frosting for us to test?”

“You’re the Grand Warlock; they’ll do anything to impress you.”

Dra’Kaedan snuggled closer to Brogan and chuckled. “What’s the use of having a title if you don’t use it for good?”

“Exactly. Dra’Kaedan?”

“Yeah?”

“We had a rough start, but I know how bleak my life would be without you in it. Each year we’ve shared, you’ve somehow made me love you more. I adore you. Every beautiful inch of you.”

With a happy sigh, Dra’Kaedan rested his head on his mate’s shoulder as the lovely glow of Brogan’s words filled him. Incredible affection and lust had thrived between them for decades.

“I love you too.”