Resurrection Of The Fallen Read online

  Head swimming, he heard Drystan roar his name and then his body stilled. A warm splash coated his insides and he knew the other drakeling had found his fulfillment. Drystan’s body lurched forward, but he managed to thrust his arms to Conley’s sides before his body crashed into his. He was breathing so heavily, Conley could hear the air swooshing in and out.

  Letting go of himself, Conley slid his hands down and over Drystan’s back to his firm rump. “Tell me, did you enjoy our lovemaking?”

  With a weak chuckle, Drystan kissed his swollen mouth. “I fear the whole castle heard my pleasure.”

  “I must confess something to you.”

  With a deep breath, Drystan dropped down onto the bed at Conley’s side. He used the dressing gown neither of them was ever going to don again to clean up their mess and then pulled on Conley until he was draped across Drystan’s chest. “I will have your confession now.”

  “I wish to make it known I am well pleased you are not a woman.”

  “A woman could not please you the way I have this night.”

  “Tell me, do you have a wish that I was female? You are enamored of having a comely mate,” Conley said. It would distress him greatly to know Drystan preferred him to be the opposite sex, but he would prefer to live without any delusions.

  “I do have a comely mate. I have no wish for a female. I daresay if you were a woman I would have no wish for a male. That’s the way of things, is it not?”

  “No, there are people who have a preference for both.”

  “Truly?”

  “How you came to be so ignorant of the world I do not know.”

  “Perhaps it is so you can teach me what I need to know.”

  “You are lucky to have me.”

  Drystan used his finger to lift Conley’s chin and kissed him lightly. “I am most lucky to have you.”

  A warmth spread through Conley at Drystan’s words and his fondness for his mate grew. This night had been truly eye-opening. Not only had he learned what it was like to share his body fully with his man, but his heart was being overtaken by an immodest drakeling who was woefully ill-informed. Conley was discovering he would not have it any other way.

  Drystan let out a lusty yawn and Conley reached down and grabbed their bedcover to pull it over them. He kissed Drystan, took a moment to admire the new ring upon his finger, and blew out the candle on the bedside table before laying his head on Drystan’s furry chest to get some rest. Conley would need to keep his strength up so they could maintain their penchant for vigorous lovemaking each night.

  Chapter 10

  A fortnight later, Conley found himself trailing after Queen Helen up the stairs to her solar. She had expressed the desire to speak with him and though Drystan had pouted about the delay in being beaten at chess, she would not be denied. Once they arrived at their destination, she sat down in a wooden chair and patted the seat of the one beside it.

  “Have a seat, Conley.” Conley obeyed and she offered him a smile. “I thought to have some time alone with you to see how you are faring.”

  “I am well. More than well. I am fair fond of your son.”

  “I am pleased to hear it. I know you must be overcome with all the changes, and my son is not always the easiest to contend with.”

  “Drystan has been a good mate to me.”

  “I fear he rushed you.”

  “I will admit he did, but I can find no regret in his actions.”

  “If he should ever become unbearable, you simply come to me. I will straighten out the errors of his ways.”

  “We get along well enough.”

  “I did not mean to suggest you are incapable of handling him. I simply did not want you to think you are not without allies. You left behind all you knew to start your life here with Drystan.”

  “The truth of it is, I did not leave anything at Castle Kelan. I have been much alone in my life. I have not only gained a mate but also a friend, and you and Aeron have been most kind.”

  “Am I wrong for thinking your parents left you neglected?”

  Shifting on his chair, Conley wrinkled his nose. “I do not wish to view myself as wounded. My parents have many duties and were advanced in age when I came into their lives. It was perhaps asking too much of them to find the time and energy to handle a child, especially one like me. I can be spirited.”

  Queen Helen patted his hand where it rested on his lap. “You have a fair amount of spirit. It is refreshing and we are grateful Fate has chosen so well for Drystan. I do not see you as requiring pity. Have you written to your mother to keep her abreast of all that has transpired since your arrival?”

  “I have not.”

  “She may not have always done her duty by you, but it doesn’t release you from your obligations. Write to her and give her the glad tidings of your matebond.”

  “I shall.”

  “I will write her as well and extend an invitation to visit.”

  “I hope you will not take insult if she sends her regrets.”

  “You believe it would be miraculous if she and your father chose to make the journey?”

  “I do.”

  “Perhaps they will surprise you. In the meantime, are there any questions you need answered about the castle or my strong-willed son?”

  “The goings-on of the castle I have well in hand. Your son requires more study, but I have no pressing inquiries.”

  She smiled and gave his hand another pat. “Consider me an ally you may call upon as needed.”

  “My thanks. I am most appreciative for all you and Aeron have done for me since my arrival.”

  “My dear, we’ve done so very little.”

  “I mean no insult when I tell you I cannot agree. You have treated me as if I were already a favored family member.”

  “And so you are.”

  Conley’s cheeks heated. “I did not expect such a welcome.”

  “You should have,” she insisted as she took to her feet. “But I have made you ill at ease, and it was not my intent. Come, let us return belowstairs before my son begins to bellow his discontent in not having access to you.”

  “He is fond of getting his way.”

  She laughed as she brushed off her skirts and led him out of her solar. “Aeron and I spoiled the boy. We likely owe you an apology as you will be the one forced to handle him for several millenniums.”

  “I am not without fault myself, so he may rue my existence as well as we journey through our lives.”

  “Be sure and keep those types of sentiments to yourself, or Drystan will truly become insufferable,” Queen Helen said as they made their way down the stone steps.

  “Believe it or not, I had already considered that and intended to keep such thoughts silent.”

  They left the stairs behind and entered the Great Hall to find King Aeron smiling as he watched his only child pace in front of the large fireplace of the far wall.

  “Is something amiss?” Queen Helen asked.

  “Aye, you have stolen my mate,” Drystan replied before stalking over and planting a kiss on Conley.

  “I merely borrowed him,” she replied before taking a seat in front of the fire and picking up her needlepoint from the basket near her chair.

  “And nearly took up all the time we reserve for chess.”

  “Were you not in such a rush to retire to your bedchamber each night, you would find more time for your game,” King Aeron said and Conley began to fear he would never make it through the day without some form of humiliation.

  “Were it not for Conley, I would have time during the daylight hours to show some affection for him.”

  “I daresay you could not manage such affections without him,” his mother replied with a chuckle.

  “That is not what I meant. Conley insists we wait until the sun sets each day before we can enjoy lovemaking,” Drystan said as he grabbed their chess board and began to set it up on one of the tables used for dining.

  “Drystan, your parents do not wish t
o know about our private matters,” Conley admonished in a soft voice as he took a seat across from the drakeling. Queen Helen and King Aeron did not make any further remarks on the subject. They were speaking quietly together near the fire.

  “Had my mother not absconded with you, I would not be forced to give away such details.”

  “She merely asked for a few moments of my time.”

  “All is well between you?”

  “Yes, of course. She is most considerate.”

  “My lady mother probably wished to ensure you are faring well and that I am not forcing my attentions upon your person.”

  “There was no discussion regarding your attentions or my feelings in regard to your body upon mine,” Conley said.

  “It is a relief to know you did not discuss lovemaking with my mother.”

  “It is you who should have spoken with her many years afore so you would not be so ignorant of such matters.”

  “I have loved you fully these past weeks.”

  “I will not argue.”

  “Are you faring well as my mate then?”

  “You know that I am.”

  “I am most happy to have been paired with you.”

  Conley gave Drystan a smile and tried to focus his mind on the game they were playing. “You must remind me to write to my mother on the morrow.”

  “Did my mother demand you do so?”

  “She simply reminded me of my obligation to do so.”

  “I will refresh your memory then.”

  “She wishes to extend an invitation to my parents to visit.”

  Drystan looked up from the board and met his eyes. “Would you care for them to visit?”

  “It matters not what my feelings are on the subject. They are not likely to agree. My only hope is they send some sort of reply. I would not wish them to offend your parents.”

  “You have surely already warned my mother not to take offense.”

  “She seems to understand well what kind of people I was sprung from.”

  “I do wish it had been different. They do not deserve to have a son such as you.”

  “I daresay they are undeserving of any type of child.”

  “I fear there is much truth in your words though I am unacquainted with your parents to know for certain.”

  “I would prefer you did not know them. They are very cold and should they treat you in a distant fashion I should never be able to forgive them.”

  “You must be fond of me.”

  “You already know I am.”

  “I have well disguised my regard for you.”

  Conley could not help his laughter. “With your desire to never let me out of your sight, I fear you give too much away.”

  “Perhaps I am simply a connoisseur of beauty and seek to gaze upon the splendor of yours.”

  “If you call me comely, I will run you through.”

  “You should be happy about my appreciation for your face.”

  “Would you care less for me if you found me ugly?”

  “I would not, but I might ask you to blow out the candle at night.”

  “You are far too enamored of sights beyond my face to allow that.”

  “You have it aright.”

  It was not only Drystan who enjoyed the body of his mate and Conley was compelled to point that out. “As am I.”

  “I am well formed.”

  “And modest.”

  “But apparently lacking in the ability to beat you at chess.”

  Conley made his move. “Checkmate.”

  “I do not know how you manage to thrash me each night.”

  “Perhaps with more practice, you will become a more worthy opponent.”

  “You may count on me dedicating myself to become just that,” Drystan promised.

  “Lucky for you, we have a great deal of life ahead of us.”

  “Aye, a good thing. I will need a millennium or two.”

  “I shall be by your side for all of it.”

  “Do you wish to play again?” Drystan asked.

  “I prefer to perfect my newest skills.”

  “I shall return our game to its proper place and meet you in our bedchamber.”

  Conley didn’t offer a reply; he hopped off his seat and took off for the stairs at a dead run. He heard Drystan’s laughter behind him, but he could not find it in him to care. It was his desire to feel his mate inside him and he would not be denied that pleasure for the extra bit of time it would take to walk sedately to their room. His hunger for Drystan and the pleasures they could bring to one another grew each day as did his caring for the drakeling. The truth was, he had no complaint about the man Fate had chosen for him, and he could not fathom that he ever would.

  Chapter 11

  1100 AD, Dragon Shifting Ceremony, Castle Bera

  With his fingers laced with Conley’s, Drystan walked across the large field to where his parents and the other drakelings were waiting to become dragons. He sent a wish up to Fate that none of the young men and women gathered here today would see their lives end. Far too often for comfort, drakelings failed to survive their first shift. While Drystan knew he would not be one of those who died, he did have some concern for his mate. Conley was smaller than most though he would argue it was everyone else who was absurdly tall.

  Fear was not something Drystan wished to have in his mind when he called forth his beast, so he had insisted Conley go before him. He’d failed to mention if his existence was snuffed out Drystan would ensure that this too would be the last day he drew breath. After spending eighty-two years together, Drystan could not imagine a day without Conley, nor did he want to try. They spent nearly every waking moment together, and the past eight decades had been glorious.

  They’d had their fair share of disagreements—Conley could argue to the point of ridiculousness, and Drystan knew himself to be stubborn. But while their fights never endured, the loving certainly did. As did their desire for one another. From the first time they’d made love until the last time just this morning before breaking their fast, their appetites for each other had never waned.

  Indeed, their lust had only become more voracious as did their yearning for trying all there was to lovemaking. Drystan had even allowed Conley to take the lead in the bedroom and join their bodies. He could not say he enjoyed it the way Conley did, but he had taken pleasure in the act though they had not repeated the experience. Conley was too enamored of feeling Drystan inside him for that and since he was of the same mind, it worked out well for the two of them.

  Outside of their bedchamber, their days were much the same as they had been since Conley’s arrival. Time in the lists, studying books his father believed would expand their minds, and their daily chess battle—Drystan was happy to say he could finally best Conley on occasion. The leisure of their youth was about to come to an end. Once they were dragons, they would be ranked and duties assigned. Drystan knew he would be a dragon as dark as his father and therefore a duke to guard him and offer his opinion on a variety of subjects to aid him as well as carry out any other tasks his father as king would assign him. Conley was sure he would be much the same though Drystan had some concern he would be of a different hue and it would make him upset. An angry Conley he could handle, a dead one he could not.

  “Drys, you are close to crushing the bones of my hand.”

  Drystan relaxed his grip. “My apologies.”

  “Calm yourself, all will be well.”

  Taking a deep breath as they neared the circle where the others that would shift today were gathered, Drystan looked down at his man. “I am trying my best.”

  “I know your fear is for me. It is not needed. I will be fine.”

  They’d come to a stop so Drystan leaned down and kissed Conley’s mouth. “I will be most content after you have completed your shift.”

  Conley had no time to respond as King Aeron whistled to get the attention of everyone in the field. All the inhabitants of the castle and the village who were part
of King Beradraconis’s domain had come to see the drakelings become dragons and to take part in the feast that would follow.

  “My good people, my thanks for being in attendance this fine day. Queen Helen and I are most proud to be here to witness this group of drakelings become dragons,” King Aeron began. He was forced to pause as the assembled villagers cheered loudly.

  “There is no greater day than the one where you fully unite your body with the beast that lives inside you. And I beg your forgiveness when I say today is particularly special for Her Highness and I as it is our sons, Prince Drystan and Prince-mate Conley, who will be taking part in today’s ceremony.”

  Drystan and Conley both gave a small bow when the crowd began roaring again. Then Drystan watched as his father coaxed the first drakeling forward. They’d already decided he and Conley would be the last to shift. The young woman who King Aeron had gestured to dropped her cloak, gave the onlookers who were still clapping in earnest a bright smile, and threw her head back.

  Only seconds later, she was replaced by a gray dragon who flapped her wings and took to the sky as if she had been doing it the whole of her life. She flew in a small circle before returning to the grass and finding her human form. Once she was back in her cloak, she embraced both king and queen before going to find her family.

  Drolan, a young man Drystan and Conley joined in the lists often, was next and his shift was not as seamless but as successful. He was a medium brown, a common color like gray for dragons. Several more people took to the skies to the adulation of the crowd and Drystan tried to ignore the pit in his stomach. With everyone else completing their shift, it was now Conley’s turn.

  Conley turned to him and gave him a small smile. He handed Drystan his mating band so it would not be destroyed when he shifted. Drystan grabbed his face in his hands and kissed him thoroughly.

  When they came up for air, Drystan said, “I love you. I will always love you. Have a care and be safe.”

  “There is no need to fret. I love you too.”

  Drystan nodded and gave him another peck before reluctantly releasing him. Conley turned and took a step. Calling out, Drystan said, “Be quick about showing your body to all and sundry.”