Page 9

ALONE OR TOGETHER, SEPARATE OR ONE

“ I f I had to say what they are doing, it looks like Raziel is showing off while Iolaire is the cheerleading section,” Caden said as he watched the Black and White Dragons in the magic mirror in the throne room.

Both Valerius and Chione lifted their heads from where they were going over some of the preparations for King Anwar’s arrival later that afternoon on Chione’s tablet. Valerius’ eyes narrowed as he took in the scene Caden was referring to. Iolaire was in its familiar cat-like “loaf” position while Raziel was standing before Iolaire on all four limbs. Raziel’s wings were spread wide and its head was lifted towards the sky. Those wings were so huge and so wide that the mirror could only show a part of them though it was “zoomed out”. Iolaire’s eyes grew larger in appreciation as Raziel flapped mightily and let out a gout of flame into the air.

Chione gave out a delighted laugh. “Caden’s right! Raziel is putting on a show for its mate!”

“They are not… I mean to say... the word mates … we have not discussed…” Valerius’ voice faded off into a sigh as Raziel lifted its head up and looked magnificent.

Iolaire “clapped” with a rustle of wings, enjoying every minute of the show, and evidently feeling very proud to have such a mate . Caden bit his lower lip. He and Valerius had not talked about this. The “helix” in the sky had so clearly announced to the world that something had happened. Something momentous, but not yet complete. Something that neither he nor Valerius were ready for.

Chione’s eyes were wide. “But last night… in the sky--”

“Yes, yes, that…” Valerius’ eyes slid to Caden as though asking for an assist. “That was… well, it was a display of--”

“Fated mates, if I ever saw it!” Chione cried.

She tipped her head meaningfully towards Caden. She evidently thought that Valerius was being thoughtless about his feelings on the matter. Caden was pretty sure she believed that Valerius was being pigheaded about how he felt about Caden. Except he was still a little shell shocked about what had happened himself. And yet pleased, too, which was pretty much what he imagined Valerius felt.

Except we haven’t talked about it. Not even when he held me just before we fell asleep together.

“If Iolaire and Raziel were fated then neither of them would have had a choice in the matter of being mates,” Valerius pointed out as if this fact alone would change the fact that Raziel and Iolaire were now somehow sharing a joined space and that had never happened before. The barrier between them was simply gone as of last night.

Last night was so great, Caden thought and that stupid smile crossed his face that he simply couldn’t scrub off, if he had even wanted to.

“Valerius,” she stated dryly. “ Fated mates or chosen mates or whatever mates, they appear to be… mates .”

“They are rooming together,” Valerius said and his mouth was twitching as if even he knew how silly that sounded.

But it’s sort of like that. Valerius and I are now sharing a home and Iolaire and Raziel are now sharing a home.

“Valerius!” Chione’s hands flew into the air. “You best have an answer about what this is and what is happening! I’m not the only one to think that Iolaire has chosen a mate. Look.”

She tapped frantically on her tablet and thrust it towards Valerius. Caden could only hear the breathless commentary of the television reporters.

“--the red and the white is quite telling in the helix that still reigns high in the sky today!” A female “expert” evidently on Dragon mates was saying. “There have been rumors swirling out of High Reach that Iolaire gets to choose among the Dragons who will be its mate. And, evidently, some initial choice at least has been made! The red could signify that Iolaire has chosen the Red Dragon Queen Mei--”

“WHAT?!” Valerius shouted at the tablet. “No, that is not the case! How could they--”

“What about the Black Dragon King Valerius? Though Raziel is black, it is most associated with fire. Perhaps the red part of the helix is to symbolize flames or fire,” a male news reporter said.

But the first “expert” in a patronizing tone answered, “Oh, no, that couldn’t possibly be right.”

“WHAT?!” Valerius shouted again, purpling. “What kind of expert are you? None! None at all!”

“Why couldn’t it?” the male reporter sounded nettled.

“Exactly! Why not?” Valerius echoed as if the reporter and “expert” could hear him.

“Because of the way their relationship began with a battle . How could they be fated mates if Raziel was trying to kill Iolaire?” Caden could almost imagine the expert’s cat-like smile of satisfaction on the expert’s voice after making her point.

Valerius’ shoulders slumped. “That was a misunderstanding. Surely everyone can see that Iolaire and I are… are quite all right now!”

Chione tapped the tablet and the program turned off. “Yes, well, it’s just not a traditional way for fated mates to meet. Normally, it's love at first sight and--”

“I told you that they are not fated , but chosen ! You cannot have both. They are mutually exclusive!” Valerius was scowling at her. “If they are fated then they have no choice in the matter. If they are chosen then--”

“Yes, yes, but I’m afraid our media will fill in what the people don’t know about Dragon mates. Think of all the books, movies and television shows that have told the world of Werewolves and their mates,” Chione pointed out to him. “People will draw on that.”

“Those are fiction .” Valerius’ eyes were narrowed as if he were offended for them to be compared to fictional mates.

“I wonder why the helix is red and white and not black and white,” Caden interrupted them. He felt rather impish at that moment. “Red really does describe Mei. After all, Xipil is red and doesn’t she spew magma? Red is a much better signifier for her.”

Valerius’ eyes narrowed further. “Really?”

“Yeah, they’ll never guess it is Raziel until we tell them,” Caden said.

“Yes, you will have to tell them,” Chione said, hands now on her hips. “Will that come before or after Caden announces himself? Will you do it at the same time? Should we wait at least until Anwar arrives and has some chance to meet Caden?”

“We’re sorry.” Caden grimaced. “We know a lot is going on and this…” He pointed to the two cooing Dragons. “Wasn’t what we intended. At least, I knew how Iolaire felt, but I wasn’t sure about Raziel--”

“I was.” Valerius rubbed his temple. “Raziel’s fear should have told me everything I needed to know.”

“Fear? Raziel doesn’t seem afraid! I can’t believe Raziel is afraid of anything!” Caden defended the Black Dragon stoutly.

“Oh, Raziel was. It knew that a change was coming. Not just for the world, but for us…” Valerius gazed at his Spirit in the mirror almost tenderly. “Even a good change--the best change--is still alarming to my mighty Raziel.”

Caden felt himself smiling broadly. He and Iolaire were the best change! It was strange. He should have felt uneasy that he and Valerius were still hesitating to tell what had happened between Iolaire and Raziel the night before. But he wasn’t. Instead, he just felt a deep certainty that everything--between him and Valerius in any case--would work itself out in time. Still it was a little bit stunning.

“Neither of you has to apologize.” Chione sighed. “It’s rather thrilling to be honest. But, I admit, that adding the glowing helix in the sky has not made my job easier. But it cannot be helped. Indeed, it should not be. It should be celebrated.”

“It is pretty spectacular,” Caden said.

Caden came up the steps to the throne where Valerius was sitting and got in his lap without any shame in front of Chione. To his delight, Valerius accommodated him without thought. He was immediately tucking Caden against him with practiced ease as if they did this all the time.

“We will have to get you your own throne up here,” Valerius murmured, but he didn’t sound in any hurry to stop Caden from getting into his lap.

Caden grinned. “Yeah, but I don’t mind this seat. In fact, it’s the best in the house.”

Chione giggled and covered her mouth with one hand in that girlish way of hers. All three of them looked into the mirror where Raziel and Iolaire were still gazing at one another lovingly. It was Iolaire’s turn to preen obviously because it was sending up gouts of ice into the air that turned into snowflakes and fell beautifully around both Dragons. Raziel looked on approvingly and opened its maw to eat some of the snow.

“They have just accepted everything between them without question, without worry, without thought to timing,” Valerius murmured as he carded his hands through Caden’s hair.

“They see each other as the only important thing.” Caden cuddled back against Valerius’ powerful chest. He said to Chione, “They didn’t exactly tell us what they planned last night. That they were going to move in together or… or whatever they’re doing.”

“Are you upset that it has?” Chione asked, but then said, “Forget I asked that--”

“I’m not,” Caden quickly stated. He looked over at Valerius. “Are you?”

“No,” Valerius answered, and there was no hesitation which had any small doubts Caden had, falling away. “But Illarion will not be the only one to feel slighted by this. Anwar will have a field day of being upset.”

“You know he would do that in any case,” Chione reminded him then pinked.

“You have always acted as if you like him!” Valerius laughed.

“I do! I mean… I do , but King Anwar can be a little trying.” She suddenly smiled. “But here I am worried about Anwar when…” She gestured to the two Dragons who were playfully nipping at one another. “When there is something so much more important.”

Valerius chuckled and kissed the top of Caden’s head. “Your parents… have you spoken to them about this?”

“I’ve sort of been avoiding them,” Caden muttered and pressed closer to Valerius as he imagined his parents’ reactions to the news reports. They would know that the red part of the helix meant Valerius not Mei. He was sure of it.

“Oh, good, your father will surely be storming in here any moment now,” Valerius laughed weakly.

“Probably,” Caden admitted and gave him puppy dog eyes. “I promise I’ll talk to them after I go meet Landry at the prison. If you could just avoid my father until then, you’ll be safe.”

Valerius let out a rumbling laugh. “I highly doubt that. I would come with you to greet Landry, but--”

“That’s too much publicity. I know. Don’t worry,” Caden told him and kissed his stubbled jaw. “I’m betting that the last thing she wants is publicity. Rose and Wally should be here in a few minutes and then we’re taking off.”

Chione was nibbling on her lower lip and a slightly worried expression was on her face. “Caden…”

“Yeah?” He looked at her expectantly.

“Just remember that… well, that Landry has been through quite the ordeal so she might not completely be herself,” Chione told him, her words strangely hesitating.

Caden frowned. “Yeah, but she’ll be with friends so it’ll be all right.”

“Yes…” Chione looked down at her tablet, still gnawing at her lower lip as if debating telling him something else. She must have thought better about it because instead she reminded him, “Remember that Anwar will be here for lunch. Don’t forget that you need to be back for that. Potentially it will be one meal that doesn’t end in disaster.”

“Last night’s dinner went well,” Valerius murmured.

“Really? Because the first course hadn’t been served before everyone stormed off!” Chione cried.

When they had entered the dining room, all of the Dragon Shifters had been remarkably silent. At first. They had all been staring at the helix in the sky that, until that moment, neither Caden nor Valerius had realized was there. Both of them later said that they had felt a strange pull from the sky, but Valerius had told him that Dragon Shifters often did. Dragons were creatures of the air and high places so it made sense that they should want to be up in the atmosphere no matter what. He had just assumed that Raziel had wanted to fly more than face the other Dragons at dinner.

The eyes of every Dragon Shifter had turned towards them, however, as they had entered the room. Caden had blushed furiously as their intense lovemaking--with the fire and ice and both Dragons having a part in it--was not private any longer. Everyone knew. Everyone seemed to know more than them! And then everyone had then started talking at once.

“What is that symbol?” Mei demanded, standing up from her seat, and pointed towards the helix. “It is the mating symbol, yes? Like some kind of--of signal to the masses?”

“We were to all have a chance to win Iolaire!” Illarion fumed, pounding the table with one hand. “You went behind our backs, Valerius!”

“You barely had time to make it romantic!” Tez lamented. “I would have bought you flowers and spread the whole room in a carpet of petals. You mated between meetings!”

Kaila patted his back. “You can still do that, Tez. I don’t think they’re going to make love only once.”

Esme looked mildly amused and very pleased for them. “I will say it would have been a little bit more polite to wait for Anwar. He will never get over this.”

Jahara said dryly, “One is glad one had other reasons to come to Reach than to court Caden and Iolaire.”

Marban lifted his glass of wine. “Shall we have a toast to the happy couple?”

Caden and Valerius both just stared outside. They had each known that there had been something different and very special about what had happened between them. The sense of peace and well being that they both experienced now--a kind of shared sense of calm and rightness--confirmed that. But, in a way, like Tez had said, they hadn’t had a chance to talk about it. It had been done between meetings…

“Guys,” Caden surprised himself by saying as he stepped forward as if protecting Valerius. “Guys, you all are incredible.” He looked at Illarion and added, “In your own special ways.” He cleared his throat. “But it was only ever going to be Valerius. If there was going to be anyone at all.” That had everyone going quiet. Caden flushed hotter but pushed on. “But I hope you realize that it was a truly good and important thing that you’ve come here for, which is to address the growing violence and unrest in the world. We wouldn’t have known about the Faith in each other’s territories if we hadn’t come together. And I don’t think we can find a solution to it on our own.”

Illarion’s arms were still crossed over his massive chest, still scowling, as he said, “Valerius always takes everything that he wants and does so underhandedly.”

“That is absurd!” Esme glared at Illarion. “It is as if when you look at Valerius, you see yourself reflected back to you but have no understanding of what you’re seeing!”

“You are just sore because you announced to the world that Iolaire was your mate and now clearly they are not, Illarion!” Tez pointed out. “If you had not been so quick to stake your claim--”

“What did you come for, Tez? You had no interest in Iolaire? Probably not! Because you are only in love with yourself!” Illarion roared.

Tez’s eyes narrowed. “At least, there are things about me which are lovable, which there are not about you!”

“Why you--”

“ENOUGH!” Valerius’ voice echoed throughout the dining hall. He pinched the top of his nose. “Caden is right. Raziel and Iolaire have decided upon one another. But that is hardly the reason all of you should be here. We need a solution to the Faith, to Humans First, to all of it. And I would task you with coming up with solutions. Some of us already have one or two to share. But we need far more and we need to come to a consensus.”

The legs of Illarion’s chair scraped back along the floor and he stood up, throwing his napkin onto the table. “I see no reason to offer my insights to you. None of you has the courage to go through with what I would suggest.”

“You mean the stomach to imprison practically everyone in your little authoritarian regime?” Esme scoffed. “No, we don’t. But it’s not working anyways, Illarion. You need help as much as anyone.”

“You can’t be serious about leaving just because we’re not going to be mates!” Caden cried.

Illarion gave him a nasty smile. “If you wanted my help, you should have considered who you chose.”

“I… that’s not fair!” Caden yelled and flushed. Fairness was for children. Not Dragon Shifters. “That’s ridiculous! You don’t like men or me romantically! It would never have worked between us! You know that! You’re using this as an excuse to simply leave! But we can work on stopping the violence and--”

“I will stop the violence in my territory. I need no help from any of you.” Illarion stormed out.

Mei rose. She looked tired and put out, likely because he had taken her ability to shift. “Illarion is right about one thing, Caden. You need to be more particular about your allies. I understand Valerius, but asking Illarion to stay? Why? He has nothing to offer.”

“But we haven’t heard from him--”

“He offers only prisons and death,” Tez said as he too got up and took Kaila’s hand. “Besides, he will only offer what costs him nothing and gains him everything.

The two of them joined Mei in leaving. Esme sighed.

“I suppose I will be eating in my room again tonight. I am certain, you two, would rather be alone,” Esme said to them as she got up as well and headed out after kissing both of them on the cheeks.

Jahara finished her wine and stood. “Do not be too worried, Caden. This was never going to be easy. We just have to keep trying.”

“You really want all of them in your territory, Jahara?” Valerius asked.

She smiled. “I may not like them all. I may not trust them. But I want all of them to live . What would you give for that, Valerius?”

And with that, she left. Chione and Marban were left.

“Would you like to have dinner with me, my dear?” Marban asked her.

“Yes, I would. Thankfully, there is plenty of wine.” Chione poured herself a large glass.

“Despite what Esme says, I think Caden and I would like to join you,” Valerius said as he pulled out a chair for Caden.

“There is plenty of food, too,” Chione said with a faint smile.

And they had eaten and drunk under the light of the moon and the helix without talking further about it. Both Marban and Chione had likely sensed that both Caden and Valerius did not wish to. But really, Caden had still been absorbing it himself.

“Lunch will happen,” Caden said, snapping back to the moment. “I’m sure of it. I mean even though Illarion said he was leaving, he hasn’t. According to the staff, he’s not even packed. So that’s good, right?”

“I was actually thinking it would be better if he did leave,” Valerius said dryly.

Caden kissed his cheek. “I know, but we need everybody. I mean we need to try to have everybody in on this.”

“We will try,” Chione said with a faint smile.

At that moment, there was the sound of two running sets of feet and the throne room burst open with Rose and Tilly standing there, cheeks red with excitement and both rather breathless.

“C’mon, Caden, we’ve gotta go!” Tilly wheezed.

“What? Uhm, Till, you need to stay here--”

“No, I’m going to welcome Landry out of the joint. Is that what prison is called? Anyways, I’m totally going and you owe me, because our parents are coming to talk to you right now and I delayed them,” Tilly said in no uncertain terms.

Rose nodded with a pained smile. “They look a little concerned about you.”

Caden scrambled from Valerius’ arms. The Black Dragon King did not keep him though he looked rather pained.

“Go on, Caden. Escape,” Valerius told him. “I will handle your parents.”

“But I…” Caden flapped his arms. “If Landry weren’t getting out like in twenty minutes I’d stay, but--”

“Who are you kidding? Go! I may shift and fly out of here myself.” Valerius laughed and gently pushed Caden towards Tilly and Rose.

“Okay. Thanks!” Caden kissed him before running down to his sister and friend. “Is Wally here yet?”

“Oh, yeah, he’s got the Bug ready and waiting to go.” Rose flashed a grin.

The three of them raced out of High Reach and into the courtyard where Wally was indeed there in his rickety car, the Bug. What little hair he had was sticking up on end as all the windows were down. Caden wondered if he simply hadn’t been able to get them all up.

“C’mon, kids, we can’t keep Landry waiting!” Wally called and waved one small, pudgy arm at them.

The three of them piled into the car with Caden up front. The last car door had barely closed before they were barrelling out of the castle and down the road towards the prison.

“I hope we aren’t late,” Caden said with a frown as he saw the little car straining to keep above forty miles per hour.

“We’ll make it, kid,” Wally assured him.

“I just don’t want Landry standing there with no one to greet her,” Caden explained as he nervously twisted his hands together. “Her brothers haven’t left Humans First over this. In fact, they’re seen as martyrs. You know, wrongfully imprisoned and all that. Since Landry chose us over them I’m just not sure that any family will be there for her.”

“We’re her family now,” Tilly said stoutly.

“Damn straight,” Rose added.

They arrived at the prison just in time to see Landry coming out of the massive gates. But though Caden had been afraid she would have been alone, he hadn’t considered that the press would be there.

Of course they would be!

There was a gaggle of reporters waiting just outside of the prison. They rushed towards Landry and Caden let out a hiss of breath. Landry froze. Though her hair covered her eyes like it always did, he could see her alarm. There were dozens of microphones thrust towards her.

“Oh, man, we’ve got to get to her. She’s all alone!” Caden cried.

Except, in a moment, Landry was not alone. Humans First thugs suddenly flanked her like two oversized bookends. And then there was another figure who put a gentle arm around Landry’s shoulders.

It was Jasper Hawes.