Chapter 34
Dorian waved to his adoring fans as he stepped onto the red carpet.
The critics had sung his praises, early box office numbers were off the charts, and he’d never been so happy.
He offered Alex his hand and helped him out of the car.
Alex was stunning. Dorian knew he might be biased, but there wasn’t another as beautiful as his nestmate.
Alex had taken some convincing, and Dorian had used his ace in the hole to get the final agreement.
They were holding the after-show party at Atlas, Robin’s club, and Robin and Prince Simon would be hosting, and that was the push that had persuaded Alex into a new suit.
Debi was her usual efficient self, relieved to be back in Dorian’s employ, and had told him several juicy pieces of gossip about her time with another A-lister who she would never work for again, no matter how many Birkin bags she offered.
“Robin and Prince Simon are already inside. As is your leading lady, the director and producer, and half of Hollywood by the looks of the guest list. I guess we’re just happy to have you back. ”
He’d been surprised how easy it had been to pick up his life as if he’d never been away.
Robin had found him the perfect script, the studio had fast-tracked the production, and there was talk he would be up for some sort of industry award for his role as a hostage negotiator, rather than his usual himbo action figure type.
His leading lady had been playing his sister, which meant he’d got to keep his clothes on, and Alex had been very happy about that.
Alex took his arm, and Dorian couldn’t help but grin.
He was such a beauty. Dorian had to pinch himself some days to make sure he wasn’t dreaming, and he wasn’t still stuck in Handor.
The dragons in Handor had been delighted that he was whole and happy and had given him the freedom to visit whenever he wanted, and he’d been a couple of times.
Acting again had been brilliant, but the big change had been having Alex in his life.
They weren’t technically living together, Alex was still Ben’s secretary and had made it quite clear he had no intention of stopping anytime soon, but thanks to Alex’s portals, they spent more days together than apart.
Dorian had adapted his sleep schedule since Alex’s boss was a vampire, meaning Alex was borderline nocturnal.
“You owe me for this,” Alex said, just loud enough that only Dorian would hear them.
“You’ll get used to being in the spotlight. I’m going to love showing off how lucky I am.”
“From my recollection, it’s mainly been me defending my territory from a whole sea of individuals who think you’re still open to play.”
Dorian had discovered Alex’s possessive side and had thought it insanely hot. But it wasn’t as if it was all one-sided, as he’d dared to leave Alex alone for a few minutes at one party to return to find a director trying to get him to audition for his casting couch.
They were escorted inside, straight to the mezzanine floor and the private VIP area Robin used when he was in attendance.
They were greeted with cries of welcome.
Dorian found himself pulled into multiple hugs and slaps on the back and hustled into a booth.
A molten mojito pressed into his hand, and several toasts later, he turned to see where Alex had gone and saw him leaning against the barrier, talking to Simon.
Robin slipped to sit next to him in the booth.
“They’re quite the pair,” Robin said, nodding in Simon and Alex’s direction.
A year ago, he’d wanted Robin, but he could admit he’d been an idiot looking for something with Robin that didn’t exist. Dragons had familial ties, and Robin was never going to fulfil that role for Dorian. “We’ve both been lucky.”
“I remember trying to explain to you know I felt about him. I suspect you understand now you have Alex.”
“Yeah, he’s mine. I’m his. I’d kill for him.”
“I look forward to the wedding,” Robin said with a smirk.
“He’s been married before. I’m not sure he wants to have another one.”
“Messy divorce? Have you an ex-husband you need to eat?”
“Widowed.” He’d thought about proposing, but Alex didn’t seem to want to make things more official than they already were. “I’ve not convinced him to live together yet.”
“Dorian, the fae and the elves have strict ideas when it comes to courtship and rules around relationships. Once they decide to settle down, arrangements must be made in the correct way. I thought vampires were bad until I heard all the different types and betrothals the fae have. I believe the elves, no matter how much they’d protest, aren’t that dissimilar to the fae. ”
He had a horrible feeling he’d missed something. “I don’t know what to do, maybe I’m fucking everything up, and I didn’t realise.”
Robin tutted. “Even I know that elves won’t officially cohabit without a betrothal agreement. I bet you’ve made a big deal about him being your nestmate and not thought about it from a non-dragon perspective.”
Robin was right. “I thought my declaring him my nestmate would be enough.”
“It’s a good job you’re attractive, Dorian, as you wouldn’t last long if you had to rely on your brains in this world.
” Robin plucked Dorian’s glass from his hand.
“Go and speak to your elf. I’m planning to whisk Simon off into a dark corner before anyone gets the idea they’d have half a chance if they were to try and chat him up. ”
Dorian didn’t think those in their immediate circle would have a death wish or desire to commit career suicide by going after Simon in Robin’s presence.
This was Robin’s possessive side, and he still had moments where he couldn’t believe Robin cared enough about anyone to be jealous.
Simon was special. He’d witnessed Simon’s magic both as an attack and for healing, and he’d never experienced anything like it before. Robin was a lucky bastard in many ways.
They left the booth together. Robin called Simon over, and Dorian took the opportunity to get Alex on his own. “I see you were talking to Simon. Swapping spells?”
“Hardly. But he did say he was still investigating Isana. The fae and their politics are mind-blowing. Makes the elves look like amateurs.”
Dorian stepped closer and placed his hand on Alex’s hip. “Thank you for coming tonight. I know it’s not really your thing.”
“You did promise that tomorrow, you’d shift, and I can lean against your belly and read.”
Dorian loved that Alex liked spending time with him in his dragon form, and he’d set up an area in the garden in the new place he’d bought in LA so he could sunbathe in his scales. “You’re the real party animal.”
“You need to learn to keep up.”
He leant in and stole a kiss. “Well, I do think it’s important we’re on the same page, and I’ve come to realise that I might not have understood all the intricacies that come with dating an elf.”
Alex raised an eyebrow, and Dorian had to stop himself from licking it. “My word, Dorian, whatever do you mean?”
“I know I’m not the sharpest thing on two or four legs, but I bought a new place in LA and a house in the UK, and you spend most of your free time with me at one of them. You don’t sleep at Crofton Hall more than once a week.”
“And?”
“I might have jumped ahead in the stages of an elf-based relationship by not asking you if you consider us living together. Which you don’t.”
Alex smirked. “Robin spoke to you, didn’t he?”
He’d been rumbled. “I might have had an independent thought on the matter.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I should be clear that if I’d known, I would have done this a lot earlier.
” Dorian took hold of Alex’s hand. He didn’t think elves got down on one knee, but he did shift so he could wrap his tail around Alex’s waist. “Will you do me the honour of becoming my betrothed? I don’t know much about elf marriages, but I’ll do whatever you want, and we can also have a nesting ceremony. ”
Alex’s smile was breathtaking. “I’d like to use the clearing you found in the grounds of Crofton Hall.”
“Was that a yes?” he asked, wanting to be sure what Alex meant.
“It’s a yes, you great scaly muppet.”
Alex kissed him, and Dorian lifted him off his feet and twirled Alex around.
He would raid his best gold reserves and have the finest smiths make something to mark the occasion.
Maybe something pretty for Alex’s ears or a bracelet.
Dorian had never been so happy. Alex loved him, not because he was a movie star or because he was famous, but because he was Dorian. Scales and all.
THE END
Thank you for reading Dorian and Alex’s story.