Page 36 of The White Dragon Revealed

“You are! Thoseeyes,” Kaila giggled. “And you’re so cute."

“I like Valerius, too. Very much. Very, very much.”

What he didn’t say was that who Iolaire liked was far more important. Caden was along for the ride. That doubt--that niggling doubt--that he was just an accident surfaced again in full force. He felt like an imposter all of a sudden.

He was certain that Iolaire and Raziel were mates. But him and Valerius? He knew what his heart said. It saidyes. But that was because hewantedit to be true. But mates meant being fated and perfect for one another and all of that. Yet how could that be if he wasn’t meant to be with Iolaire in the first place? Iolaire tilted its head at him, no comprehension on its face. It twittered at him lovingly.

I love you, too, Iolaire, but be honest with me. Did you choose me because I was your chance to be with Raziel? Raziel is your mate. I know that.

You,Iolaire said.

What about me?Caden asked back, amused and not understanding at the same time.

I am you. You are me,Iolaire said.

Caden’s forehead furrowed.Only because I was going to be blown up. You saved me!

You saved me,Iolaire mirrored his words.

But it was an accident that brought us together,Caden objected.

Always meant to be together. Always,Iolaire said.

Always? You mean you would have found a way to bond with me?Caden asked.

Yes. Always.Iolaire blinked softly at him like a cat does when saying they loved the person they were looking at.

“Caden, you okay?” Rose touched his shoulder.

Caden blinked. He felt like he was coming out of deep water. He shook himself and then started to smile. “Y-yeah, I was just talking to Iolaire.”

The smile grew so broad that his cheeks hurt. Iolaire flapped its wings happily.

“O-okay,” Rose laughed uncertainly at his sudden, brilliant, beaming happiness.

“I was just… I don’t know. Doubting myself,” he told her and then glanced around at the other Dragon Shifters. “Meeting you guys has been amazing, but it’s also daunting. I thought maybe Iolaire made a mistake by choosing me. Or it was an accident. Or just a convenience because I was there.”

“Oh, my goodness, Caden!” Esme looked so sad at him. “That’s not how this works! Spirits have one person that they are meant for. The moment we come together with them is when we are ready.”

“But the mate thing… doesn’t that complicate things?” Caden’s cheeks, which had been red before, were now nuclear in heat and color. They didn’t know about how Iolaire and Raziel were now able to be seen together as if they occupied one body instead of two. There was only a thin line separating them. “I mean, it’s not just me and Valerius in this, but Iolaire and Raziel!”

“Truly? Your Dragons are mates, too?” Tez’s mouth was open.

Esme looked at him quizzically. “Tez, dear, whywouldn’ttheir Dragons be involved in this mating business? Humans don’t have fated mates.”

Tez flushed. “Well, Eldoron is rather particular about the idea of sex--”

“You and your Dragon talk about sex?” Rose interrupted.

“Well, Eldoron is very beautiful so it has many suitors.” Tez sniffed and rubbed the fingernails of his right hand against his shirt.

“But you came here tocourtCaden,” Rose pointed out.

Tez blinked rapidly. “I came to show off Eldoron’s loveliness and my considerable charms.”

“You both are wonderful,” Caden said kindly.

“But like in everything else, Valerius is the first among equals.” Esme twinkled at him.

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