Chapter 32
Dorian dropped the bag of coal at Alex’s feet as they set up their picnic. Alex had brought a basket with him, as he’d been correct in his assumptions that the dragons wouldn’t have much in the way of food fitting for an elf.
He’d been in Handor for about six months and, as far as they could tell, time travelled at the same speed in this realm as at home. Alex had been able to visit once a month, and Dorian had found himself living for these afternoons.
“I’ve brought you some chocolate.” Alex held up a large bar of one of Dorian’s favourite brands. “And some cheese.”
Chocolate and cheese were not items available in Handor, and Alex had taken to bringing him care packages. Although his digestive system wasn’t really designed for human food, there were some things worth suffering for.
Alex was allowed limited use of his magic, and he set up a small fire and began to boil some water. “What’s that for?” Dorian asked.
Alex grinned. “Hibiscus tea.”
“You know how to spoil me.”
“Even better when I can spoil myself at the same time.”
Alex began to empty his basket. He had a packet of what looked like sandwiches, a slice of lemon cake and a selection of fruit that he placed on the blanket.
Dorian had been pleased with himself for finding this spot.
Circet had insisted that Alex spend some of his visits with the dragons, so they could get to know him and thereby build more trust.
“How did the hunt go yesterday?” Alex asked.
They’d been allowed to talk every few days through the sphere, Circet realising that Dorian needed his connection with Alex more than he’d originally allowed for and had got permission for the additional communication.
“Great. I brought down my first metmas.”
“Is that the flying cow thing or the one that’s like a bouncing hippo?”
“The cow.” He’d been so proud, as up until then he’d been limited to the smaller prey about the size of turkeys.
“Brilliant. I bet it tasted all the sweeter as well.”
“Oh yeah! It was super crunchy.”
He lay down and offered his belly for Alex to lean against. He loved to feel Alex resting against him. “How’s things at the hall?”
“Ben’s starting to make noises about setting a date for the wedding, but Ashley says he’s in favour of a long engagement.” He cleared his throat. “Ashley tried to introduce me to a friend of his.”
Dorian couldn’t stop the black smoke escaping, but he knew he shouldn’t be selfish. “Are you going to let him?”
Alex shook his head. “No. He’s not being malicious, just thinks it would be good for me to get out more.”
Dorian knew that at some point, if they couldn’t find a way to restore his shifting ability, he would have to let Alex go, but that wasn’t yet. Unless Alex were to meet someone, and then he’d have to be the bigger dragon. “You shouldn’t be cooped up at the hall all the time.”
Alex sat up, and Dorian thought he might have said something wrong until Alex started glancing around. “Can you feel that?”
“What?”
“I don’t know, but it doesn’t belong here.”
Alex got to his feet, and Dorian followed suit. Dorian couldn’t see anything out of place; dragons were flying in the distance, but no one else was nearby.
A deep purple oval appeared. “I guess you were feeling that. Is it a portal?”
He pushed Alex behind him as someone started to step through, and then he recognised him. “Prince Simon?”
“Ah, good, I’ve found you. The location setting for this place is a bit off.”
Alex stepped out from behind him. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you two. I stopped at Crofton Hall and was told you were visiting Dorian, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity. Chris managed to contact someone, and I was given permission to portal here. Not that they could stop me, but I prefer to be polite.”
“And why did you need to see us?” Alex asked.
“I’ve figured out how to restore Dorian’s shifting capabilities. I would have done so sooner, but part of the process was a bit… messy.”
Dorian couldn’t believe his ears. “You’re sure this isn’t a let’s-give-it-a-try-and-it-probably-won’t-work kinda thing?”
Simon snorted. “I appreciate you don’t know me very well, Dorian, but I’m not the sort to offer false hope.”
They’d had so many false starts, and he’d been pinning his future on some sort of magical breakthrough, and here was Simon saying he thought he could help Dorian, now.
Bring him home and give him back his shifter side so he could start a new life with Alex.
He couldn’t speak and let out a delighted rumble and a cloud of smoke instead.
“I’ll take that as you’re happy,” Simon said, smirking.
“How are you going to fix him?” Alex asked. “We tried so many different ways, and none of them worked.”
“Once I located the rogue fae who’d been masquerading as Gagilix, I was able to figure out what he’d done and how to undo the interception spell.”
Dorian had thought they had no luck on that front. “Where did you find him?”
“He was in hiding, but his kinfolk were happy to give him up once I explained the situation.”
“Meaning?” Alex said.
“Gagilix’s real name is Isanta, a member of the Loantric tribe, and his people didn’t want to be tied to his crimes, even though I’m sure there was very senior political interference.”
“What did he do?” Dorian asked.
“The plan was for your misfortune to become public knowledge, and for me to be blamed because I was jealous of your involvement with Robin. The intent was to cast me in an unfavourable light, incapable of being rational, and not suitable to lead. My father and I were in negotiations for the reintroduction of the Calanti to the other tribes, and my worthiness to be involved could have been called into question.”
“Fuck,” Alex said.
“Pretty much my sentiments. The magic used on Dorian was an interception spell and linked to my magic. The connection to Robin would have worked eventually, but then, when I lost my temper, you were exposed to a larger dose.”
“So, it was your magic specifically?” Dorian asked.
“Yes. My magic is different to most; I can channel power through the boundaries of the realms, which makes my magic stronger and difficult to counteract.”
Dorian didn’t have a clue what that meant, beyond that Simon was probably a very powerful individual who he didn’t want to get on the wrong side of. “And that broke my shifting mechanism?”
“Yes, but I couldn’t just put it back together because Isanta’s spell lock took my magic and wrapped it up into a pocket of his own magic, which I needed to break first.”
Dorian saw the way Alex’s eyes widened. “That won’t have been pretty.”
“As I said, things got a bit messy. But Crofton Hall is being prepared for me to cast, and if Dorian is ready, we can go and make him a dragon shifter again.”
“You can’t do it here?” Dorian asked. “I should say my goodbyes.”
“No, I don’t know how this place might impact my casting. Also, Crofton Hall would be able to contain any residuals issued from Isanta’s signature.”
“I’d like to speak to him myself,” Dorian said. “I don’t like being used as a political pawn.”
Alex winced, and Simon chuckled. “You can’t, I’m afraid. When I broke his magic, I extracted his signature permanently.”
“He’s dead?”
Simon smiled. “Very much so. We have some open questions, but I’m sure I’ll get those answered sooner rather than later.”
Dorian had underestimated Simon. He’d thought him some pretty prince, who’d got the hump over his husband, but wouldn’t be that bothered over real politics. He’d been so far wrong it was comical.
“I’m happy to come with you, but I can’t just leave without saying goodbye.”
“Chris will have informed them of the situation and told them this needs to happen as soon as possible. Isanta’s signature will degrade the longer he’s dead, and we only have a limited time. Alex can bring you back afterwards.”
“Maybe not directly afterwards,” Dorian said. “I’ve plans for my human form.”
Simon laughed as he reopened his portal. “I bet you do.”
“Do you need my help with the portal?” Alex asked.
“Chris is waiting on the other end with Jack, so we should be good,” Simon said. “Alex, if you go first, then Dorian, and I’ll bring up the rear.”
He trotted into the portal, his tail waving and his fronds all of a quiver. Dorian loved being a dragon, but he was born a shifter and missed his human side. Especially the kissing and the sex, and he had big plans to celebrate with Alex.