Page 1 of The Dragon Shifters' Enemy
Twisted Words
Don’t freeze.Don’t freeze.Don’t freeze!Caden thought as he stared at the YouTube influencer, Claire Redkins, with slightly parted lips and what he was sure was a dopey expression on his face.He was also certain that this behavior was not inspiring confidence in the viewers.So if he had intended to come across as young, but wise beyond his years he was botching it completely.I’m freezing!Oh, no! Valerius warned me!
But how could he explain everything that had led to him and Valerius being together in a few easily digestible soundbites?There were so many things and so many moments--not to mention so much that hedidn’twant to share with anyone but Valerius--that there was no way to simply dumb it down to love at first sight, or really, love at firstfight. He could see Iolaire and Raziel looking at one another out of hooded eyes.Fire and ice twined together like the symbol in the sky
While the two older reporters were very stiff--he wondered if they thought such questions were unbecoming of a reporter--Claire smiled kindly at him.The tension bled out of Caden a little, not because of Claire’s evident sympathy at his tongue-tiedness, but because of Valerius’ mental presence surrounding him. Valerius was here.The Black Dragon King would protect him from anything.
Bullet proof glass!He reminded himself.Or rather, Dragon scales and Raziel’s fire breath.
“You’re nervous!”Claire’s eyes widened.“That’s so--”
“Lame?”He smiled back.He thought it was lame.Tilly certainly did.He was failing in the cool big brother department, he was sure of it.
“No,genuine,and not at all what I expected,” Claire said.“I mean you sacrificed yourself to save people from a bomb and then, today, on the street, you were so brave, taking charge, and being all badass.That you’re nervous about being interviewed is really cute.”
Cute?Oh, God, that’s probably not what a Dragon Shifter should be called!Raziel must be rolling in his cavern!Caden thought.
Raziel is asleep, snoring loudly, as human things bore him,Valerius remarked dryly.
Indeed, both Dragons had turned their smoldering looks into fully closed eyes. They appeared to be down for the count.Their wings fluttered in a way that reminded him of dogs or cats whose back legs would sometimes twitch when they dreamed about running after squirrels.Caden wondered if their Spirits were dreaming about flying and chasing cows.
I’m sure that Raziel can’t contemplate being nervous of three humans.I mean what could they do to it?Caden pointed out.
The reporters like you.The public likes you.You are… cute, Valerius said and Caden heard his internal snort.But you are also brave and true.Own all those qualities.
Yeah, but shouldn’t I be all polished and careful with the press?Caden asked.Chione wanted to do a press briefing and practice questions before and--
You couldn’t have learned all of that in one day and it wouldn’t have worked,Valerius told him.Your face would betray you.Besides, your genuineness is what is winning them over.Go with it.
Go with it?
Caden contemplated this.If he acted other than true to himself, he wouldn’t come across as genuine.If he tried to appear something he wasn’t, he had a feeling the press would find out anyway. There was no faster way to lose people’s trust than to lie.
Claire’s smile was starting to appear a little jagged at the edges as he continued to say nothing.She looked down at her phone, where the question presumably was, then back up at him with mute expectation in her eyes.He remained mute himself.
Filling the silence, Claire continued on rather desperately, “I mean how do you go from fighting in the skies to pledging eternal love to one another?Itiseternal right?Fated mates and--”
“Chosenmates,” Valerius grumbled, but goodnaturedly, though pointedly.
Caden’s deer-in-the-headlights expression faded after Valerius’ grumble.He rather loved that Valerius wanted everyone to know that they hadchosenone another.While fate may have had something to do with it, their rational--if love was ever rational--decision to be attracted to one another was something Valerius wanted known.They weren’t two fools just falling for one another.They weren’t pawns in the hands of fate.They were together because it wasreasonableandrightthat they were together.
“Chosen?”Claire blinked.
“We chose each other,” Caden managed to say.Now that Valerius had started the conversation for him, he found he could speak again.The ice was melting before the fire.“And I would choose him… again and again and again.”
Had he said “again” too much?He wanted to keep saying it.Just keep on repeating it.Because he would choose Valerius every time.There was no one else in existence he would want to choose more than the Black Dragon King.
He glanced over at Valerius.He could have known exactly what Valerius was thinking if he chose to.He just had to look into the other Dragon Shifter’s mind.But he found himself merely glancing swiftly at Valerius’ expression and then away to take his emotional temperature.
He was relieved by what he saw.The Black Dragon King had a half smile on his lips that was a play between amusement and...awe. It was as if he couldn’t quite believe his luck to have Caden at his side.To Caden that was just crazy.Who was he?No one special! But Valerius made him feel special.Valerius had him wanting to reach the heights of specialness.
“What did the other Dragon Shifters have to say about that?The rumor is that they came here to court you, Caden, but from that symbol in the sky it looks like you made your choice well before all of them arrived.At least before the Silver Dragon Shifter!”Claire chirped.
Shouldn’t someone else be asking questions?C’mon, ask us about something else!Anything else!
But the other reporters were so still and quiet that they might have statues.He supposed that even the staidNew York Times, let alone a morning show host, wanted the down and dirty about dragon sex!
“There was never any question,” Caden found himself speaking again without thought.It was like a cork had popped and his feelings rushed out of him.“It was always Valerius for me.It’s always been Valerius.It will always be Valerius.”
