Page 27 of D’Vaire or Nothing (D’Vaire #44)

B rinley’s face was red, but he was keeping himself together as best he could.

His current state of embarrassment was the fault of the Brynewielm Duke, and he planned to take him to task the second they were alone.

The gorgeous man had invited Brinley to his home.

A quick teleportation and Brinley had landed outside an enormous mansion in the high desert of Arizona.

Inside was a peace Brinley hadn’t known he was searching for until he found it.

If Brinley had somehow been invited to the High Draconis Court before meeting Heathcliff, he doubted it would’ve hit him with the same intensity.

He wouldn’t have recognized the soft wave of joy spreading through his soul.

Heathcliff had brought happiness into Brinley’s formerly dull world.

All his life, he’d worked hard and kept himself from dreaming.

That was why his future was blurry and he couldn’t decide his path.

Brinley had done nothing but survive. Until the most handsome man on the planet had walked into his new place of employment.

But the phoenix shifter who was winning his heart was in big trouble, and the moment Brinley was alone with the man, there would be an immediate discussion.

Brinley refused to embarrass himself further, so he stood in the two-story great room of the D’Vaire mansion and smiled appropriately as Heathcliff introduced him to the lively people who called it home.

Titles. There were so many of them. But Brinley relaxed at the way they teased each other, sprawled over the pale grayish-beige couches, and acted like normal people.

He wasn’t sure what he’d expected. Perhaps instead of colorful throw pillows and shelves with replicas of the most incredible mating athames and oversized rings, he’d imagined the room would be filled with stark thrones.

Despite witnessing the D’Vaires and their large extended family trailing through the resort for several days without a crown in sight, it was as if Brinley had expected them to wear them at home.

He was a fool. It was a wonderful thing to be wrong about, and Brinley’s muscles unclenched as he relaxed at Heathcliff’s side.

If he weren’t so pissed at Heathcliff, he’d take his hand. Staring at the side of Heathcliff’s face, Brinley ignored his desire to see it covered with a mating mark and narrowed his eyes at the lovely man.

As if sensing his stare, Heathcliff glanced at him, and his dark eyebrows flew up. “What’s wrong?”

The blunt question quieted the room, and Brinley’s fire desperately wanted to escape as he became the center of everyone’s attention.

“I’d like to speak to you about it privately,” Brinley said, proud of himself for managing the words without growling.

“Follow me,” Heathcliff ordered.

Brinley wasn’t sure if they were done with introductions, and he didn’t care.

Neither did Heathcliff. The phoenix shifter stalked out, and Brinley offered the other occupants a tremulous smile as he raced after Heathcliff.

The tall shifter didn’t stop until he was at a door with a metal plaque bearing his name.

Heathcliff turned the knob, and Brinley was so dazzled, he nearly forgot what had drawn them to the glorious space.

The suite was enormous—Brinley’s little apartment would’ve easily fit in the bedroom.

And unlike Brinley’s sparse furniture, it was gorgeously decorated with a gorgeous array of blues.

Upon closer inspection, Brinley discovered accents of indigo and violet.

Those were the colors of the hottest flames, and it suited a phoenix.

And a fire mage. The walls were navy and gave the space an intimate feeling.

A large bed that Brinley could easily imagine Heathcliff in was covered in a bedspread of dragonskin with metallic silver accents.

Tall windows let in the sunshine, but heavy drapes fell to the pale wooden floors.

The nightstands, headboard, and dresser were a deep matte black.

Above everything was a stunning chandelier.

“This room is fucking perfect,” Brinley whispered as he twirled across the area rug.

“You look good in it. Your eyes are bluer, and I don’t think it’s just because you’re pissed. What’s wrong?”

Brinley forced himself to stop finding things to marvel over—like Heathcliff’s intricate crown of silver, gold, and blue showcased in a glass box—and marshaled his thoughts. He swung his attention to the phoenix shifter who was aggravating him and glowered.

“Did you forget to mention something to me before I teleported?”

“No.”

“No?”

“You asked me to send you a picture. Obviously I did or you wouldn’t be here. We didn’t talk about anything else.”

Brinley stepped closer to Heathcliff and was proud that he tore his gaze away from his kissable lips to his eyes.

“So, imagine my surprise when I walked into this massive-ass house and that pretty great room was full of people.”

“You knew I’d introduce you to my family.”

“Of course I did. I expected that. Admittedly, I was nervous as fuck. This place is full of royalty. All kinds of titled people who love you. But you invited guests!”

“Technically, everyone here belongs to the extended D’Vaire family,” Heathcliff grumbled as he shoved his hands into the pockets of the jeans that showed off his fine ass.

“You brought the Magus Superus and the other mages hand-picked by Fate to rule my people. They were joined by their adorable little elementals. My silly ass can barely form words as they’re inviting me to their house or to the backyard here to play with magic whenever I want.”

“You’re mad at me because I introduced you to the leaders of your people? I thought you’d enjoy that.”

“My socks have a hole in them,” Brinley cried.

Heathcliff frowned. “You’re wearing shoes. No one can see your socks.”

“You could’ve warned me, Heathcliff.”

“I apologize. I wanted to do something nice for you. There was no way I could predict that you’d object to meeting your leaders.”

“Do you think I don’t know that I’m overreacting right now?”

With a chuckle, Heathcliff closed the distance between them and tugged Brinley into his arms. It was delightful, and Brinley held on as his anger fizzled out.

“You did a wonderful job talking to them,” Heathcliff remarked.

“I don’t even know what I said.”

“You were polite and eagerly accepted their invitation. No mention of purple dicks or dumb former rulers who set themselves on fire. Of course, they agree with your assessment of the former Magus Superus and his idiotic decisions, so they would’ve supported that anyway.”

“I love this fucking room.”

“Larissa designed it,” Heathcliff confided. “It exceeded my expectations. I’ve already imagined how incredible you’ll look in here as I slide into your ass. At night, the chandelier crystals reflect the light onto the walls, and it looks like small flames.”

“I wish it smelled like freesia.”

“I don’t.”

Brinley pulled away so he could kiss Heathcliff. “I can’t get over this house. How big is it?”

“Massive. Are you still pissed at me?”

“No, I’ve moved on. Sorry for being ridiculous. Thanks for dealing with my shit. And for inviting my leaders here. I want to play with magic with them someday.”

“What about your elemental?” Heathcliff asked. “Don’t they amplify your power? When am I going to meet yours?”

“Yes, but it’s also possible to pass your knowledge of magic to them. I’m self-taught and want to study in a program. Or that’s the plan anyway. I’ve been waiting to get my shit together. So, no elemental yet. But at least now I know what I want to create.”

“You do?”

“Yes, we can use any shade of fire. I want a little blue phoenix.”

“Are you interested in meeting my phoenix?”

Brinley grinned. “Except for testing out that bed with you, nothing appeals more to me right now than meeting your beast.”

“Want to fly with me?”

“I can do that?” Brinley asked, his mouth dropping open.

“My feathers burn everyone but my mate, and he’d love to soar with you.”

“Let’s get our asses outside.”

To Brinley’s delight, Heathcliff gave him a quick hard kiss, then grabbed his hand to tug him out of the bedroom.

∞∞∞

Heathcliff and Brinley made it outside without incident. Eager to fly with him, Heathcliff took a moment to embrace Brinley.

“I’m sorry if you were embarrassed or nervous,” Heathcliff whispered close to his ear and dropped a sweet kiss on the lobe.

“It’s okay, I’m over it now. I’m more embarrassed that I took out my nerves on you. Sorry again.”

“Stop apologizing, it’s fine. Next time I want to surprise you, I’ll warn you first.”

Brinley grinned sardonically. “I know I was a shit. An ungrateful one. The last few days…I’m overwhelmed. All these wonderful things keep happening.”

“I suppose if my people had a direct leader in the Council, I’d freak out if I was introduced to them too.”

“Stop teasing me and go shift. I want to ride a phoenix.”

“You’ll spend eternity riding this phoenix whether I’m shifted or not.”

“Nope. No flirting. I want no reminders of the gorgeous fat cock in your jeans.”

“You should know that shifters have superior hearing and voices carry out here,” Heathcliff said with a grin. “Unless you don’t mind everyone knowing how fascinated you are with my anatomy, you should check if we’re alone before you mention what’s in my jeans.”

“Do I look like I care that everyone knows I’m obsessed with your sexy purple dick?”

Delighted with his blunt mate, Heathcliff kissed him again. He was happy that the dark color of his skin would cover most of his blushes if people overheard Brinley discussing his anatomy with such candor in the future.

“No. Okay, stay here and keep out of trouble. I’m going to the changing room.”

“As soon as I relax enough to make some friends around here, I’m convincing some gardeners to grow freesia.”

With a roll of his eyes, Heathcliff brushed their lips together, then regretfully released Brinley.

His long strides easily ate up the distance between the deck and the changing room.

Once inside, Heathcliff stripped in quick economic movements.

The small space was lined with shelves, and he set his neatly folded clothes on an empty one.

Naked, Heathcliff stepped out and was instantly warmed by the caress of the blazing Arizona sun.

It took barely any effort to call forth the beast that shared his soul.

For far too long, Heathcliff had feared his phoenix.

The disgusting deadly tea he’d drunk twice had temporarily made the animal far too aggressive.

It had taken time and relearning how to be a shifter for Heathcliff to find comfort in his own skin. Those were things he rarely thought of anymore, and he was glad Brinley would never see the terror in his eyes.

Heathcliff wasn’t ashamed of his feelings.

They were a valid response to what he’d faced.

But he wanted nothing but happiness for Brinley.

It was a fantasy. Life was often rough. However, Heathcliff wanted to protect Brinley from whatever he could.

It was in his nature to want to shield those around him.

As Heathcliff’s mind wandered, his beast took control.

Bones grew, muscles elongated, and his entire frame realigned into a fiery bird.

His vision sharpened, and Heathcliff flapped his fiery wings, and his long tail helped him find balance as he took to the skies.

It was a short distance to the deck, but Heathcliff’s phoenix wanted to preen for their mate.

Heathcliff climbed high into the sky, then dove toward Brinley. Tucking his wings close to him, Heathcliff spun into a roll as he raced for the earth. Brinley’s laughter and applause thrilled him as he slowed. With ease, he stopped short and lowered to the ground.

“You’re far more beautiful than I imagined,” Brinley said. With no hesitation, Brinley’s palms coasted over his feathers in a gentle caress. It pleased both man and beast. “Climbing on you, okay?”

With a tiny squawk in the affirmative, Heathcliff kept himself as still as possible while Brinley straddled him. His phoenix was overjoyed. There was no question that his beast was eager to spend their lives with Brinley.

As soon as Heathcliff was satisfied that Brinley was safely astride him, he gently flapped his wings and soared upward.

Brinley’s hold on his feathers tightened briefly, but as soon as Heathcliff was airborne, the tension left the mage’s frame.

Warmth flowed around him. It took Heathcliff a moment to realize Brinley was casting fire around them.

It was a celebration of flames, and Heathcliff’s phoenix screeched in triumph. Heathcliff hoped to repeat the experience often in the future. Although just a few days had passed since they met, Heathcliff and his phoenix were united in capturing Brinley’s heart.

Fate had paired them well.