Page 43 of D’Vaire or Nothing (D’Vaire #44)

A shby was in an excellent mood. In the two weeks since he’d met Seltivare, nearly everything in his life had been rearranged.

But it was nothing compared to what the elf who’d left his home, tribe, job, and parents had done to become Ashby’s mate.

Thankfully, the sole thing Seltivare complained about was the big bed he slept in alone.

That situation was close to being over or Ashby would lose his mind thanks to his fervent desire to strip Seltivare, but the elf was too important to rush anything.

That morning, Seltivare and Mavizare had embarked on their first day as employees at Dérive. It was delightful to sit next to Seltivare through the day, and Mavizare was equally ecstatic to have chosen a desk at Kitchi’s side in the High Kings’ office that was shared by many and open to everyone.

As for Seltivare’s parents, Ashby and every other D’Vaire were thrilled with their decision to take a suite at Elven D’Vaire.

The couple were working diligently with the board of the sanctuary to work out logistics, and Zolilara and Vateltir were determined to befriend the five resurrected elves who’d kept to themselves for many years.

Every person involved wanted to succeed in creating a tranquil sanctuary that appealed to newcomers.

Ashby hoped it would work out and was ecstatic that he could use a transportation spell to reunite the twins with their parents at any given hour.

It made Ashby feel less guilty about being able to keep his family members close, while Seltivare no longer shared a roof with his folks.

Vateltir and Zolilara had recently celebrated the sale of their house, and Ashby was thrilled to have Seltivare’s plants from his former home in the expanding garden beneath their office tree.

The couple had dug their spades into the ground and discussed their plan to add azaleas, since Fate had made Ashby smell like that to Seltivare.

Ashby expected many shared hours of gardening in the future and was considering the possibility of adding a small greenhouse for them to experiment with hybrids.

It was something he needed to discuss with Seltivare.

Thankfully, they saw eye to eye on nearly everything except for the glaring issue of their sleeping arrangements.

But Ashby didn’t want to think about that right now.

He was sitting on the sofa in the garden-themed suite—Seltivare refused to allow any changes to be made to it—and doodling some notes to himself on his phone about tasks he wanted to accomplish in the morning.

The television was on but the sound muted as an enthusiastic druid discussed with his audience his latest gardening experiments.

It was an interesting show and one Ashby watched routinely.

However, he’d lowered the sound because Seltivare’s parents had called.

Mavizare had been summoned from his nearby suite, and the pair was chattering excitedly with their folks.

Ashby marveled at how he’d gone from sitting in a beautiful room by himself to sharing it with an elf with a sweet mouth and a wicked tongue who had breathed life into every one of the druid’s spaces.

A new revelation had Ashby nearly dropping his phone.

He’d lost his heart to the beautiful Seltivare.

It made sense. They shared a love of growing things, held family in high esteem, and except for their less-than-stellar sleeping arrangements, had experienced no bumps in their short road as a couple.

Of course, those things were easy to point out in Ashby’s mind, but what he adored most was Seltivare’s goofiness with his twin, his sweet teasing, and the way he’d shown no hesitation as they’d both devoted themselves to being a mated pair in far more than name only. They were building a life together.

Although their relationship was a new seed instead of an ancient stalwart tree, Ashby could already envision a future with Seltivare at his side no matter what Fate threw at them.

As if Seltivare somehow knew what was on Ashby’s startled mind, the elf turned to him and his mouth curved in a warm smile.

Ashby flashed the handsome elf a smile and added a wink. Deciding it was pointless to focus on work any longer, Ashby set his phone on the coffee table and kept his gaze locked on Seltivare. As was his habit, he was dressed in a black tunic and pants with accents in blue. D’Vaire colors.

The loose layers of his hair were slightly overgrown as Seltivare was considering following elven tradition and wearing it past his shoulders now that he was no longer Tristis.

Ashby supported Seltivare no matter his decision, but he secretly hoped to someday learn the art of decorating his mate’s long tresses with beads and braids.

But what captivated Ashby was how animated Seltivare was as he happily chatted with his brother and parents.

It was obvious the four were close, and it thrilled Ashby that their recent matebond had done nothing to pull apart their family.

The fact that they’d all agreed to live at either D’Vaire or Elven D’Vaire was something Ashby was especially ecstatic about, and he intended to do his part to ensure they felt blissful, especially Seltivare.

Eventually, the twins said farewell to their folks and ended the call. Ashby grinned like a fool as Seltivare rushed over to the couch, squished himself against the lucky druid, and pressed a cheery kiss on his greedy lips.

“You’ll never guess what our parents have done now,” Mavizare exclaimed excitedly as he sat cross-legged on a low sculpted-back chair opposite the sofa.

“Tell me everything,” Ashby said as he ensured Seltivare stayed tucked next to him by putting an arm around the elf and resting his warm hand on his hip.

“We’re no longer D’Vaires,” Seltivare responded excitedly. “Our parents were offered the choice of taking on the name of any of the tribes involved in the sanctuary and they chose Valzadari. So Mavi and I will be hyphenated again. So will they.”

“Did they say why they chose Valzadari?” Ashby asked.

“Yes, they wanted to select one of the tribes with painted skin,” Mavizare explained.

“Chieftain Kalthekor Valzadari wears mostly blue and black,” Seltivare added.

“Obviously, his skin is blue and so is his sword mark from Fate marking him as leader. His mate’s centaur is black, so his clothing reflects that.

It allows our parents to freely wear D’Vaire colors and call them their tribal ones since they reflect what Kalthekor elects to put on.

Which is how Valzadari won among the equally wonderful tribes. ”

“Momma is no fool either,” Mavizare said with a rueful grin and mischief in his blue eyes. “They want every elf to see that the sanctuary is run by an elven couple with rich traditions and a powerful tribe name. It may sway some people who need help that they have such an influential connection.”

“I have my doubts,” Seltivare remarked, his gaze far gentler and more serious than his exuberant twin’s.

“Elven D’Vaire has been connected to the Valzadari from the start.

Some have even been caretakers. They can’t tell us every part of the arrangements they’re discussing with the board, but at least we know our parents are safe and they’re so happy to be doing this. ”

“And we can ask Ashby or anyone here to teleport us to visit them whenever we want,” Mavizare commented. “We don’t have to bother Brogan to get permission either, because they’re under a bubble of magic like us.”

“So, you have doubts that the changes they’re making are going to work to add new residents to the sanctuary?” Ashby asked, brushing a kiss against Seltivare’s temple.

“I want it to work,” Seltivare responded immediately. “I’d love that for elves in trouble. Personally, I also don’t want our parents to grow frustrated and want to do something more exciting if nothing changes.”

“I’m not worried about that,” Mavizare said. “Mom and Dad want to build relationships with the resurrected elves there. They also want to create something meaningful and permanent. I think they’re going to dig their roots in and never want to leave.”

“Unless their son never finds his mate and they decide they have to concoct a plan to push him out of the nest again,” Seltivare drawled.

Mavizare’s mouth dropped open, and Ashby had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing at the mixture of horror and outrage on his face. “Push me out of the nest? I’m thirty.”

“Complain to Ashby. That’s what he said to me two weeks ago. He looked me right in the eye and told me he was grateful Momma pushed her little elves out of the nest.”

“Up until this moment, I had a mixture of joy and—if I’m honest—envy about your relationship,” Mavizare retorted with his eyes narrowed.

“I thanked Fate and even cursed her a little because I want to be with someone too. But now I’m no longer jealous.

I thought I’d want a man like you, Ashby.

But nope. The nerve. Push us out of the nest. We’re grown elves. ”

Ashby shrugged, delighted at the outraged twins. “Didn’t she suggest you guys apply to Deck of Cards and sell their business to keep it from being your backup plan?”

“Selti?” Mavizare asked.

“Yes?”

“I want to kick your mate in the shin,” Mavizare stated firmly.

“What’s with you guys wanting to kick people?” Ashby asked.

“Well, we can’t turn ourselves into ninja kittens or teddy bears, so it’s our only way of dueling,” Seltivare replied with a shrug.

“You don’t have to choose violence,” Ashby informed the disgruntled elves.

“It’s a good thing you are far more kissable than kickable,” Seltivare grumbled.

With a chuckle, Ashby ran his hand through Seltivare’s growing locks and rested their heads together as he gave his attention to Mavizare. “Are you going to stay and watch TV with us?”