Raziel and Iolaire were currently completely asleep, nestled against one another, dreaming dragon dreams that were likely full of sheep.
Valerius reached over and ruffled Caden’s hair. The young man beamed at him.
“But not anymore,” Caden stated instead of asked. There was no need to ask.
“Not anymore.” Valerius smiled at him broadly. “But my point, Illarion, is that Mephous may have an issue with--”
“Mephous has no issue!” Illarion had crossed his arms over his chest and looked like a very unhappy little boy.
“So Mephous… is good with Vozyth? Wants Vozyth to move in?” Caden blinked.
“Evidently.” Illarion’s expression grew thunderous then it seemed to break. “I think they are mates! I know they are, but it is the human part of the equation that is the problem!”
“How do you mean?” Valerius frowned. “The Spirits find the human that they are meant to be with--”
“No! NO!” Illarion roared.
Valerius looked over at Caden who shrugged. He didn’t understand it either.
“Vozyth has shown interest in totally inappropriate people!” Illarion informed them.
Caden’s forehead furrowed. “Uhm, isn’t there only one person that--”
“She is toying with me!” Illarion gasped as Vanya did a double stomp on his genitals. She had been looking out the window and he had nearly made her hit her head on the door.
“You mean she’s not apparently choosing a beautiful, voluptuous woman?” Valerius asked dryly.
“You are not one to talk! You got the whole package!” Illarion gestured to Caden.
Caden blinked and pinked. “Ah, thanks, Illarion. I didn’t know you thought that about me.”
“You are perfect for the big grouch over there! You are sunshine! He is shadow! You are fun! He is dour! You are smart! He is--”
“We get the point, Illarion,” Valerius ground out.
Caden petted his arm. “I love my grouchy, dour shadow.”
“As I do you, my ray of sunshine.” Valerius pursed his lips.
Caden leaned over and kissed him, which made him truly happy.
“Your Spirits and you two are made for one another. Why should I not get the same? Someone I’m attracted to! Someone I can love and who adores me just a little bit more. That’s key,” Illarion said with a wagging finger that was hit by a wagging tail. “The little bit more.”
“Key to what? Never finding anyone for you?” Valerius asked as he drove over the bridge.
Every time he crossed this bridge now he thought of finding Chione’s broken body in the center of it. His heart twisted in his chest and he pushed on the gas. She came back, he reminded himself. She was fine. In fact, she was likely waiting to pounce on him the moment they arrived back. Caden reached over and squeezed his arm.
It’s okay. Everything is good. Everyone is safe, Caden soothed him.
Luckily, in addition to Caden’s gentle words, he had Illarion’s diatribe to distract him.
“All I want is a woman of uncommon beauty,” Illarion waxed poetic.
“Of course.” Valerius rolled his eyes.
“And uncommon intelligence, right?” Caden perked up.
Illarion did a one-shouldered shrug. “She shouldn’t be too smart. I want her to admire me as her intellectual superior.”
