Page 34 of The White Dragon's Dilemma

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 wordmates… 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 amate.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 werefatedthen 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 joinedspaceand 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.“Fatedmates orchosenmates 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 aboutwhatthis is andwhatis 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 isquitetelling 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 tochooseamong 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 theirrelationshipbegan with abattle.How could they be fated mates if Raziel was trying tokillIolaire?”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 notfated, butchosen!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 arefiction.”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.”

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