“Intelligence would have had to pass her by then,” Valerius murmured.
Caden poked him in the side. “A good sense of humor? You’ve got to want that, Illarion.”
“Oh, yes, I think that would be useful,” Illarion said.
“So she can laugh at her lot in life as Illarion’s mate,” Valerius said under his breath.
Another poke.
“And she must love dogs?” Caden suggested.
“Yes! Vanya and Viski must approve of her first.” Illarion nodded and kissed his dogs’ heads.
“You said that Vozyth was playing with you? How so?” Caden asked.
“The humans she’s interested in! She was looking at a babushka! A Russian grandmother that would have made Esme look spry!” Illarion cried.
A chuckle tried to escape Valerius’ mouth, but he bit down on the side of his cheek to keep it in.
“And then--then she was interested in a man!” Illarion looked stricken.
“Oh, the horrors,” Caden replied neutrally.
“I know! It’s truly horrible! I think I swayed her off those two! But just by the skin of my teeth!” Illarion moaned.
Valerius debated saying anything, but finally he couldn’t help himself, “You know what the most important thing will be about the person Vozyth chooses?”
“That she is between 25 and 29 years old and lovely to look at?” Illarion appealed to him.
“No, that Vozyth is meant to be with her or him or them,” Valerius cautioned. “There is nothing that says you and the person Vozyth chooses have to do anything more than tolerate each other. After all, would you want Mephous with someone other than you?”
Illarion appeared stricken, but got out, “Nooooo, it would be a travesty. But--”
“Maybe the person Vozyth chooses will be your help-mate, Illarion,” Caden suggested. “Someone you respect who can help you rule.”
“I don’t need help ruling.” Illarion was pouting.
Valerius pulled into the courtyard and turned off the ignition. One of the staff would take the car into the garage or replace it out on the street with the other of his nondescript vehicles.
“It’s time to get out of the car, my babies!” Illarion popped open the car door and the dogs eagerly jumped out. One of them stomped on Illarion’s crotch again. Valerius really was all smiles. “You need to have someone take all my plushies inside for the dogs.”
“I’ll make sure the dog toys get where they should get,” Valerius muttered as he tossed one of the toys that had migrated near the shifter.
He and Caden then joined the Green Dragon King as the dogs raced to the doors that swung wide. Tilly, Rose, and Marban stood on the threshold. Immediately, Tilly dropped down into a crouch and opened her arms for Vanya and Viski. They ran right to her, tails wagging, tongues lolling out and barking eagerly. She kissed, petted and hugged them both.
“Vanya and Viski! Did you have a fun outing? Yes, you did! You did!” Tilly enthused.
Valerius was amused to note that a thirteen-year-old girl and Illarion had the exact same inflection when speaking to Vanya and Viski. Marban patted one of their heads, but kept firmly to his feet as he looked on benevolently. Rose held her skirts close to her legs. She was not a dog person evidently.
“Rose, Tilly, Marban!” Caden greeted them and walked up briskly to say hello.
He embraced his sister and got some sloppy licks from the dogs, gave Rose a kiss on the cheek and a warm handshake from Marban.
“Where are you all off to?” Caden asked eagerly.
Maybe a little too eagerly. He was not getting out of the fitting. Valerius prepared himself to scoop up the White Dragon King and bodily carry him inside.
“We’re doing a lottery in the Below, remember?” Tilly asked.
