Page 42 of D’Vaire or Nothing (D’Vaire #44)

“We had no choice, we would’ve been kicked out,” Vateltir said, sharing a wry grin with Seltivare’s mother.

“But we were already packed. We wanted something different for ourselves and couldn’t watch a tribe suffer with us as an example of Fate’s perfection.

Yes, Fate combined two souls perfect for each other in us, but she does that for many couples.

That doesn’t mean they are less than us or that the combination of two tribes or pairing an elf with a druid-jaguar is anything but wonderful. ”

“Hybrids are incredible,” Mavizare remarked. “Look at Elf. A hybrid of dragon and elf. Have you ever seen a person more beautiful?”

“Yes,” Seltivare said, boldly taking Ashby’s hand. “My mate is more handsome, and he’s a remarkable hybrid too.”

“Thank you, I was about to say the same about your beauty,” Ashby replied. To Seltivare’s delight, Ashby turned toward him with a smile, and Seltivare grabbed the opportunity to give him a quick kiss, which earned him a wink.

“Zoli, how did you and Vateltir survive?” Saura asked between bites of her strawberry.

“From the kindness of strangers,” Zolilara replied.

“We went on a grand journey and met many elves. They were willing to give us some food, trade some things, or offer us some advice on our future. But not one of them suggested we join their tribe. We did not look like them. It wasn’t until the Tristis chieftain allowed us to take his name that we were settled again. ”

“Not at ideal situation if Zoli and I are being honest,” Vateltir added.

“The Tristis tribe has issues, and I hate to speak ill of Fate’s chosen, but neither chieftain that we’ve had ruling us has been concerned with the bettering of his people above himself.

One of the reasons we are so happy that our sons are settled is because we thought it might be best for us to consider finding a new tribe. ”

“You didn’t tell us that,” Seltivare exclaimed. “We would’ve been supportive of switching tribes.”

“Except now we’re D’Vaires,” Mavizare said. “And we kept Tristis because of the stupid names they gave us.”

Ashby laughed. “I didn’t even think about it until you said it. Seltivare D’Vaire. Mavizare D’Vaire.”

“It’s obnoxious,” Seltivare groused.

Dra’Kaedan snorted and bit his lip, apparently to hold in his chuckles, when his mother smacked his leg.

“His Majesty calls himself of the tribe D’Vaire,” Ashby pointed out. “What’s wrong with becoming D’Vaires too? I’m sure Mavi and Selti would love to have their parents stay with them.”

“I’m leaving off the zare part of my name from now on,” Mavizare muttered.

“You wanted us to find new paths, Momma,” Seltivare said.

“We have. I’m quitting my job at Deck of Cards to work at Dérive with Ashby.

Your house is on the market. Chieftain Tristis finally signed the paperwork to sell the business.

That’s what you wanted us to do, to explore the world.

I found my mate. Mavi will find his too.

I know it, or I’ll be mad at Fate. There’s no reason you need to run off befriending random people again to find a tribe. You have one that wants you.”

“What do you mean you are quitting your job at Deck of Cards to work at Dérive?” Mavizare asked, his voice rising with each word.

Seltivare patted his brother’s thigh. “Settle down, we’ll talk about it later. I already told Ashby he must take us both. We are twins. A package deal.”

“Will I have a desk and a company car?” Mavizare asked, bending forward so he could ask Ashby directly.

“A desk, sure. A car provided by a company that provides magical transportation? Absolutely not,” Ashby responded.

“Okay, that makes sense,” Mavizare said. “What about vacation days? How many will I have?”

“Worry about it later; we have to convince our parents to join us at D’Vaire,” Seltivare hissed at his brother.

“Could we apply to this place?” Vateltir asked. “Can we submit applications to join Elven D’Vaire?”

Dra’Kaedan shook his head. “No. You’re family.

If you want to live here, pick a room and move in.

What if I offered another proposition to you?

You have experience running a company. Would you be willing to handle the day-to-day operations of this sanctuary?

You can hire who you need, handle the staff of elves that rotate, or make whatever decisions you want.

There is a board that oversees the sanctuary, but I know they’d be willing to work with you to build something functional here instead of a rotating door that doesn’t offer the tranquil atmosphere we want for old and new residents. ”

“Speak to your board and ask them their thoughts,” Seltivare’s mother answered immediately. “If we can work together to create a vision that works for us and them, we would love to aid ourselves and you in this venture.”

Saura rubbed her hands together. “Hot damn, this is exciting. Maybe if we can get this worked out, we can finally launch a marketing campaign out there that convinces some elves to follow through on the application process.”

“If we take the jobs, I won’t consider us successful until it breathes with the same life as Dra’Kaedan’s Coven,” Vateltir said.

Seltivare was so excited at the thought of his parents becoming part of the D’Vaires in whatever way suited them, he was almost no longer irritated that for eternity he’d be introducing himself as Seltivare D’Vaire.

Almost.

Thankfully, he had a beautiful, kind, sexy hybrid at his side to make everything better. Delighted with Fate and Ashby, Seltivare kissed the druid-jaguar’s cheek, which earned him a second buss on the lips.

“Killian thinks we should use some magic and rescue your plants from your old house,” Ashby said. “What do you say we find him when we get home and add them to our garden below the tree where we’ll work?”