“Isn’t Del going to need Greggory?” Carter asked as he held the little dragon in question in his arms.
“No, Idris and Del will be defending their research papers, then will be tested on practical magic. This is for High Arcanist, so they can’t use enhancements—including their familiars—since they amplify their power,” Mac explained. The pair were sitting in a large auditorium full of people waiting for the most anticipated ceremony in the history of the Spectra Wizardry. Carter was added to the group of young men Mac was sworn to protect, and he was happy to have his brother at his side. He had an eye on Duff but wasn’t concerned with his safety. Duff chose a seat next to Victor Antonov, whose family he’d stayed with before venturing to D’Vaire. As housekeeper to the Arch Lich and Lich Sentinel, it meant he was currently surrounded by a bevy of elite assassins.
There was a murmur of sound through the room as people waited for the wizards to start. Mac decided it was the perfect time to check in on his brother. “How are you liking D’Vaire?”
Carter’s brown eyes met his. “I love it. I mean, my life at Court Stenet sucked. I love my Dad because he had me, but he’s really a dickhead. I can’t believe how it feels to be able to make my own choices. It’s overwhelming because I didn’t have that power before. Mom would pretend, I guess, to understand, but then she’d either go back and tell Dad anything I revealed to her. Or she’d agree with me on something, then contradict it when Dad was around. It used to drive me crazy and man, she should’ve told him to shut up when he’d talk shit about you or your grandparents.”
“It was difficult for him to deal with her having a son with another man.”
“Bullshit. He was jealous because you’re a stronger dragon. He was always ranting and raving about how you should be asked to go to another court, so no one got confused about who held the real power. It makes me seriously question what the hell Fate was smoking when she made him a king. Insecure ass.”
Mac chuckled. “You certainly aren’t that.”
“Insecure? Nope. And I’m not going to pretend I am to please a guy who needs to grow a set and do his duty. You know what Mom said to me that day in Aleksander’s office? She goes ‘I never expected to lose both my sons.’ I wanted to ask her what she expected by allowing Dad to act like that, but I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.”
“Grandpa and Grandma raised me more than she did, even before she met Alfred.”
“I figured. We had a nanny who did damn near everything until Bryony turned sixteen this summer.”
“How didn’t I know that?”
“I’m pretty sure Dad was sleeping with her and Mom found out. They had a huge fucking fight, and she was gone that same night.”
Mac blinked hard as he tried to wrap his mind around his brother’s revelations. “What?”
“I saw him coming out of her room at night, even when I was little.”
“I’m at a loss for words.”
“She was lazy as shit too. Until Dad caught me kissing that guy, I used to sneak out almost every night. That started when I was like thirteen. I’m pretty confident she knew—she just didn’t care. I mean one night I was so drunk, I passed out in the hall right in front of her room.”
Mac’s brain started to grind back into gear. “What the hell were you doing drinking at thirteen?”
“I liked breaking rules when I was a kid.”
“You’re still a kid.”
Carter shrugged. “I guess. I don’t really feel like one, but it’s not like I’m still sneaking out to get shit-faced.”
“Good, because it’s my job now to protect your skinny ass.”
“I’ll have you know I’ve got a great ass. Not as nice as Del’s but still good.”
“You better be careful checking out Del’s ass. Trust me, he’s not into casual sex.”
“No worries. Duff made sure to tell me what a prude Del is on, like, my first day at D’Vaire.”
Mac’s frown was ferocious. “Del’s committed to waiting for his mate. There’s nothing wrong with that. Casual sex isn’t for everyone.”
“Yeah, you can calm down. I agree. I was just relaying what Duff said. He’s obsessed with sex.”
“Most men your age are.”
Carter shrugged again. “Yeah, I guess so. I mean, sex is awesome, but it doesn’t rule my life. I’ve had it and I plan on having it again, but I have other priorities too.”
“So, you’ve been hanging out with Duff a lot?”
“No, not really. I’ve spent more time with Del. He’s cool. Really into horror movies so we’ve watched some together. I don’t know what’s up with Duff. He’s nice when Idris is around but really quiet if Del is in the room when your mate’s off with you or whatever.”
“Del and Duff had a small disagreement which has somehow reached epic proportions.”
“I just don’t think they like each other. My guess is they both like Idris, so they get along for his sake.”
“Done anything else besides hang with Del?”
Carter nodded as he ran his fingers down one of Greggory’s dark wings. “I played video games with the sentinels. They’re crazy competitive.”
“Believe me, I know. I’ve been training with them since I arrived.”
“Could I do that? Learn how to use daggers?”
“I don’t see why not. Just let Gavrael or Gedeon know that you’d like to learn. They can get you started.”
“Cool.”
“Any ideas about what you want to study at school?” Mac asked.
“Not yet. Del and Idris are going to help me look at options after I finish this semester. I have a full course load, and they got all my stuff transferred so I can complete it all online. Then I can decide if I want to attend in person in the future.”
“There’s no rush. You can take all the time you need to figure out your future.”
“I don’t feel any pressure to figure it out. The only thing I have figured out so far is that I made the right choice in leaving Court Stenet. I love D’Vaire,” Carter said. “Can I say something to you?”
“Of course.”
“I’m really sorry about your grandparents.”
“Thanks, but you know they were your grandparents too.”
“In name only. I didn’t get to spend any time with them. I would’ve liked to.”
“They would’ve enjoyed it as well. I’ve got a ton of pictures. I can show them to you if you’d like.”
“That’d be really cool.”
“Fine, but no laughing at my bell-bottoms. Idris almost pissed himself when he saw me.”
Carter snickered. “Did you wear neon leotards in the eighties too?”
“If you weren’t holding Greggory, I’d knock you out of that chair.”
This time Carter laughed out loud. “I’m trembling in fear over here.”
“Yeah, you should be.”
Mac had no idea what wisecrack would come out of his brother’s mouth next, but he never got the chance to utter it. The Prism Wizard walked out onto the stage and requested silence. After he spoke, the curtain was whisked open to reveal a long table full of scholarly wizards. They asked Arcanist Delaney D’Vaire to step forward to defend his research paper. With his head held high, Delaney fielded their questions like a pro.
The dark wizard had successfully written a spell that only the demonic necromancer who led his people would be able to use. He’d also held a meeting with the Reverent Knights, and it was decided it wouldn’t be used until all the thousands of sentinels currently awaiting training completed their instruction. That meant it would be a few years before anyone got to see a fallen knight shifter. When Delaney was finished, Vadimas dismissed him, and Arcanist Idris Vioric-D’Vaire was called upon to join them.
“Nervous?” Carter asked in a whisper.
“Shut up, yes.”
Mac soon found out he had little reason to be and was glad Idris was far more composed than he was. His mate didn’t stumble or falter as he was quizzed. It was strange to hear them speak of Immortalis as if it was a relic of the past not to be accomplished again since there was little hope of a large enough Coven of Warlocks necessary to cast it. There were three warlocks known and they were all gay men, so there was little hope for growth. Idris and his group of masterful sorcerers were very close to making the potion despite that. Mac’s young mate kept their secret and continued to answer as if he’d stumbled upon an impossible spell that intrigued him enough to dedicate an entire paper to it.
After Idris was finished, he was asked to clear the stage. The panel then debated the merits of Delaney’s work and his testimony before them. Mac grew more nervous for both wizards as he listened to the scholars bicker. An hour passed, and they finally reached an agreement.
“Arcanist Delaney D’Vaire, will you join us on stage?” Vadimas asked.
Delaney walked, out and Vadimas shook his hand, then handed him a scroll. “In honor of your substantive and original contribution to the Spectra Wizard Academy, we hereby award you with the title of Magicae Medicus Est.”
“I’m sorry, did he just say Doctor of Magic?” Carter asked.
“How do you know Latin?”
“It’s called school, dude.”
“Yes, this is two parts. They’re completing school with PhDs, then will ascend magically.”
“I gotta do more with my life,” Carter muttered.
Mac turned his attention back to Delaney, who’d already received the gold cord he would add whenever he wore a cloak.
“Esteemed guests, please join in me in congratulating Doctor Delaney D’Vaire,” Vadimas invited. Mac, along with everyone else in the room, burst into applause.
“Isn’t a graduation usually more than two people?” Carter whispered.
“Yes, but because of the High Arcanist thing, a special one was designed for Del and Idris.”
“Got it.”
Delaney left the stage; then the scholars began their war over Idris’s findings. Mac nearly started gnawing on his fingernails with anxiety but managed to refrain. Roger nuzzled against him and gave little growls as if he didn’t enjoy hearing Idris’s future debated any more than Mac did. After an eternity, they reached an agreement.
“Arcanist Idris Vioric-D’Vaire, will you join us on stage?” Vadimas asked.
Mac’s mate walked out, and Vadimas held out a scroll as they shook hands. “In honor of your substantive and original contribution to the Spectra Wizard Academy, we hereby award you with the title of Magicae Medicus Est.”
Idris bent his head and a gold cord was placed around his neck, so everyone would see his achievement. There might be many more doctors of magic among the Spectra Wizardry than High Arcanists, but it didn’t make Idris’s accomplishment any less impressive.
“Esteemed guests, please join in me in congratulating Doctor Idris Vioric-D’Vaire,” Vadimas invited. Once again, the room filled with loud applause. Idris’s beautiful eyes met his, and he offered his mate a wink. He was so incredibly proud of his man.
“Tell me, Mac. Do you have a doctorate?” his irritating little brother asked.
“No, but I’d be happy to give you a knuckle sandwich,” Mac retorted as Idris left the stage. The curtain was then pulled close. They had to clear the tables and prepare the stage for the magical paces Delaney and Idris would be put through before they would ascend. Mac wondered how the hell much longer he was going to be able to sit here quietly without going insane.
“That’s literally the worst comeback ever,” Carter declared. It took Mac a second to even remember what the hell he’d said.
“Give me a break. I’m stressed out.”
“Shitting bricks, aren’t you?”
“I think I liked you better when we didn’t talk.”
“Is that supposed to hurt my feelings?”
Mac chuckled. “Nothing is going to knock you down a peg or two, is it?”
“I doubt it.”
Before Mac could say anything back, a hand came down onto his shoulder and squeezed. He turned his head to find Aleksander sitting behind him. “How’re you doing?”
Carter turned his head toward their king. “We’ve established that he’s shitting bricks.”
“I’m a little nervous, that’s all.”
“Dra’Kaedan tells me the hard part is over. The magical tests will be a breeze—Del and Idris can do that shit in their sleep,” Aleksander confided.
“Can you ask the Grand Warlock if he can cast a cleansing spell on my brother if he really does shit his pants? Because I’m sitting next to him, and I’ve got to smell it.”
“Carter, I can’t believe you weren’t born a D’Vaire,” Aleksander replied. “I’ll see what I can do to arrange that.”
“Appreciate it.”
“Can you believe these people, Roger?” Mac asked the only person on his side. “Getting on a man’s case for being nervous about his mate achieving something most sorcerers can only dream about. What the hell’s their problem?”
Roger growled a little, but it was hardly a threatening sound. Mac had to get through this alone. He smiled because nothing could be further from the truth. Mac was a D’Vaire, and they took care of their own. His family was doing everything to distract him while they waited, and he was grateful for each one of them.