Page 37 of D’Vaire or Nothing (D’Vaire #44)
“Would it be possible for me to teleport to your house? We could talk to your parents together and explain this unique situation?”
“It must be so wonderful to be a druid. Yes, if you want to do that, I would love your help talking to my parents. Plus, I want you to meet my family.”
“Okay, send me a picture of somewhere unique in your house and I’ll be there.”
Ashby said goodbye to Seltivare, shoved his feet into his shoes, and slipped on his suit jacket.
His phone beeped, and he smiled at the picture of two beds made up in bedspreads of the same lovely blue of Seltivare’s eyes.
He teleported there and opened his mouth to greet Seltivare as the door burst open to reveal a mated couple in their pajamas.
Behind them was a third elf, who was identical to Seltivare. If Mavizare didn’t wear his hair in a straight waterfall to his shoulders, Ashby mused that he’d need the sweet pea scent of his mate to tell them apart.
“Who is this strange man in our house?” the woman asked, her hand flying up to close the small gap in her robe.
“Mom and Dad, this is Bard Ashby D’Vaire,” Seltivare said. “Ashby, these are my parents, Vateltir and Zolilara Tristis.”
“Selti met Ashby tonight at work,” Mavizare remarked as he grinned at Ashby. There was a wicked gleam in the elf’s eyes that Ashby noted was missing in Seltivare’s gentler gaze. “They’re mates.”
“Mates?” Zolilara exclaimed. She moved in a flash, and Ashby squeaked as she hugged him. “Congratulations. Ashby, was it? Hello. I’m Zoli. We’re so pleased to meet you. Of course, Mavi didn’t mention we were having company or we wouldn’t be in our damn pajamas.”
“Elves don’t curse, Momma,” Seltivare muttered.
“Except I’ve already heard you and your brother fling plenty of swear words at each other,” Ashby mused.
“Wow, your mate has been here for two minutes and is already trying to get us in trouble,” Mavizare complained.
“We will discuss that later. Come into the kitchen. We’ll have something to drink and eat. I hope elven fare is fine.” Zolilara gave them no choice as she bustled everyone out of the bedroom and into a bright white kitchen. “I sense you’re a hybrid, Ashby. Do you have a beast?”
“No, my jaguar is dormant. But I have some magic.”
“A druid. You’ll have to take a look at Selti’s garden. He has loved flowers since he was a boy.”
Wonderfully surprised by that nugget of information, Ashby took a seat at the kitchen table and smiled at Seltivare. “I wish it wasn’t dark so I could see it right now.”
“It’s a small garden, and my parents are selling the house, so someone else will get to enjoy it,” Seltivare grumbled.
“And now I know why the house needs to go,” Vateltir remarked. “I thought your mother was losing her mind when she wanted us to sell both the house and our business, but Fate had plans for you, Selti.”
“Ashby, are you familiar with elven traditions?” Zolilara asked as she set a pitcher of iced tea mixed with slices of cucumber in the middle of the table and her mate handed everyone matching clear glasses trimmed in black.
“Yes, and I’ve already agreed to have a matebond ceremony as soon as possible,” Ashby replied.
“But Ashby’s family is on vacation at the resort until Monday,” Mavizare stated.
“Could we wait an extra day or two, Momma?” Seltivare asked. “It bends tradition, but Ashby wants to have it at his home in Arizona and have his entire family attend.”
“There is no law that states it must be done immediately; elves are usually able to organize them fast. But the tradition is to share it with loved ones. So, of course we’ll wait for your family, Ashby. Tell me about your home. Wait, D’Vaire. You call the sanctuary home?” Zolilara asked.
“Yes, I’m one of the few people admitted into the sanctuary through the application process. It’s a wondrous place of acceptance and love. I discovered myself there.”
“I can’t wait for Selti to do the same there at your side.
If it is not too bold, I might add that Selti and Mavi are identical twins.
They have never been apart. Although I don’t expect you to keep them in a room sleeping together anymore, would you consider allowing Selti to bring a member of his family with him and having Mavi join you at D’Vaire? ”
“Don’t worry, Momma always wants to plan our lives,” Seltivare stated dryly. “Momma, Ashby and I met a few hours ago while I was at work. We haven’t had a chance to talk, he hasn’t even invited me to live at D’Vaire…let alone add Mavi too.”
“I’d hate to ask you to leave your garden, but it sounds like that was bound to happen soon, so would you mind living at D’Vaire with me?” asked Ashby. “Mavi, you can come. Zoli, you and Vateltir are also welcome to join us. It’s a large home, and we love having our family together.”
“I’d love to move to your home,” Seltivare responded. A rush of relief nearly had Ashby’s head spinning. “Do you have a garden?”
“Wait until you see the gardens at D’Vaire. You’ll fall in love.”
“Vateltir and I will consider a visit, but our sons need to spread their wings,” Zolilara stated firmly as she set a plate of sliced cheese on the table and sat next to her other half.
“She wants us to have friends,” Mavizare added.
Ashby wasn’t sure what he planned to say next, but his phone rang, and he winced at the flash of the Grand Duke’s name on the screen.
“Hello?”
“Ashby, Sorrel mentioned you were joining him at Hearts bar but never showed. He and Kitchi went up to the suite, but you aren’t here. No one knows where you are. What’s up?”
The raccoon shifter Kitchi D’Vaireāēhsepan was also employed by Dérive and a good friend to Ashby, as well as being part of his beloved family.
“I thought you were on vacation and we’re allowed to do whatever we want this weekend.”
“You sound like Dra’Kaedan. My title didn’t wash away a few hours ago. Just let me know where you are in the resort so I can relax.”
“Here’s the thing… um , I met my mate. I’m at his house with his brother and parents.”
“Congratulations. You deserve to be happy, and I’m thrilled Fate paired you.”
“Thank you, Brogan.”
“Now, tell me again the part about how you’re at some stranger’s house.”
“They’re elves; we’re trying to plan our matebond ceremony.”
“You’re a druid. Bring them here.”
“Can you let everyone know that we’re going to have a ceremony after this weekend? Maybe in the evening, once everyone gets off work, so they can all attend.”
“I’ll tell everyone in a group message, including Killian, who is your leader. I’m also going to mention that I currently don’t know where the fuck you are. Have fun explaining that to him. Congratulations again, I can’t wait to meet him.”
Ashby smiled sheepishly at the three elves staring at him owlishly. “He’s going to tell my family. Does Wednesday night work for everyone?”