“Anwar!” Fadel called in a weak voice.
“Fadel! Fadel! My heart!” Anwar raced to Fadel’s side, wrapping the other man in his arms, rocking him and weeping tears of joy.
We found him! Raziel sounded like a proud hunter.
You did, Valerius praised. Thank you, Raziel. Thank you to all the Dragon Spirits.
Bachelor Party
The next night…
Caden regarded himself in the mirror. Faded, ripped jeans that hugged his ass? Check! Untucked, button-down shirt in a dark purple with flecks of shiny stuff that skimmed his chest? Check! Leather boots with said jeans half tucked in? Check and check! Finish it off with a buttery-soft leather motorcycle jacket? Priceless!
“You look ready for the clubs,” Valerius murmured as he wound his arms around Caden’s chest and kissed his cheek. “And you smell as delicious as you look.”
“It’s your cologne! I wanted to feel close to you even when we’re apart,” Caden spoke to Valerius and his reflections in the full length mirror. He also snuggled against the bigger man, relishing the natural warmth of Raziel’s fire that seeped into Valerius’ beautiful body.
Iolaire was currently enjoying that warmth, too. Both Dragon Spirits were rather bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, so to speak. They were excited for all these “human mating rituals” as Raziel had described them dryly.
Valerius’ expression dimmed a little at the “when we’re apart” bit. “Yes, I don’t know why we can’t spend the whole night together.”
“Kaila and Illarion. They are insisting we do traditional bachelor parties where we’re just with our friends and then we meet up at the final club, which is not traditional.” Caden shrugged. “But they knew we wouldn’t agree to not seeing each other before the wedding.
“That would never happen!” Valerius growled. “I must see you and have you near me no matter what at all times and--what? Why are you smiling so broadly?”
“I was just thinking about when we first met and how you were ordering me out of your territory. Do you remember that? I was the ‘dratted boy’ and ‘innocent’ and ‘trouble’,” Caden laughed.
“You are still trouble. Tons of trouble.” Valerius tickled his sides.
“Hey! Hey! You’re mussing the outfit!” Caden complained.
Valerius sighed and straightened it for him. “You look very handsome. As always. I am jealous that anyone else gets to see you, though Raziel wants you to preen.”
Our mate is the most beautiful. Let the others see him and weep! Raziel proclaimed with a shake of its massive head.
Iolaire twittered, going back to being mostly non-verbal, but its intent still got across as it looked proudly up at Raziel and sent a spout of snowflakes into the air.
“Iolaire is pretty chuffed by you, too, Valerius.” Caden grinned so wide his cheeks hurt.
“Did you know the press is making up supposed traditions for us? Most of them are based upon those Alpha Werewolf films.” Valerius was frowning.
“I actually saw some author who writes a ton of those saying that she’s starting a Dragon Mates series!” Caden beamed. “And she’ll be using our wedding for inspiration.”
Valerius’ head fell back as he groaned. “Chione showed me a fanart of us naked and making love. Now it was quite good, but I did wonder if it showed the proper respect.”
“It is incredibly respectful if anyone takes the time to make art of us,” Caden assured him. “They’ve put their hearts on paper or the internet. And we should be honored by that.”
“I would view 1000 fan arts, even of questionable respectfulness, rather than going club-hopping as Illarion plans,” Valerius groused. “If you were by my side the entire time, I could endure it, but Rose has something special planned for you.”
Caden turned around in his arms. “I know. And I get it that you just want it to be you and me--”
“Preferably in High Reach, cuddled by the fire, and eating roast meat,” Valerius said. “No one else! And it would be quiet except for the snapping and popping of the fire.”
“And that sounds really good.” Caden let out a laugh and looked at his soon-to-be husband. “And in two days, we’ll get that for a really long time until we start traveling to the other territories. Just you and me.”
“That is two days from now.” Frowny-faced Valerius was an adorable Valerius.
“Says the Dragon Shifter who has lived hundreds--”
