Caden shrugged. “He can ask questions and we can decide whether or not to answer them.” His amusement dipped a bit. “Besides, it’s better than thinking bad things.”
Valerius reached over and put one of his hands over Caden’s. Caden turned his hand over so that they could link fingers.
“Ask your questions, but annoy me too much, Illarion, and…” Valerius left the threat unsaid. Illarion could fill in the blank.
Illarion though was unconcerned. He rubbed his hands together eagerly and Valerius wondered if his bark was getting to be ignored and he needed to bite more.
“Is there anything unusual when you have sex?” Illarion asked.
“You mean besides the giant helix?” Caden let out a faint laugh.
“Besides that. Yes. I need to know what I should expect when I free my voluptuous mate from her prison,” Illarion said.
“You make so many assumptions in that sentence, Illarion, my head hurts because of it,” Valerius muttered.
“What? Is not Caden perfect for you? Do your loins not light on fire when you see him?” The Green Dragon King sat up straighter.
“Let us hope they do not light you on fire literally,” Valerius said quietly. “But your point is made. Although, for all we know, Caden and I were just lucky.”
“No, no, I refuse to believe that!” Illarion sliced a hand through the air. “My mate shall be a buxom blonde with huge blue eyes and skin as pale as snow. A Siberian beauty. I will drape her in furs and diamonds. She will glitter for me.”
Why am I picturing a dumpling-shaped Russian grandmother batting her eyes at Illarion? Caden sent to Valerius.
He snorted. It would serve him right. Though I think a more mature woman might be just what he needs to keep him in line.
I can see her hitting him with her purse when he’s a naughty Dragon King, Caden giggled.
And he would adore her. His grandmotherly mate who demands his loyalty above all things, Valerius said, getting into this imagining very much.
“You best hope that there is such a woman in the city, Illarion, or your mate will return to the Spirit Realm,” Valerius told him.
“And she’ll have to be in danger of something traumatic happening to her,” Caden pointed out, feeling badly about that.
“Bah! It will work out! You two have proven to me that true love is real,” Illarion said, leaning forward again and resting his chin on his hands.
“You believe in true love?” Caden’s eyebrows rose. “Because of Valerius and me?”
“You didn’t know him before you showed up. He was very grumpy,” Illarion said with a flash of an almost charming grin.
“He’s got you there, Valerius,” Caden chuckled.
Valerius tightened his hand around Caden’s. “I was just unamused.”
That caused Caden to laugh harder. Illarion’s chuckles were added.
When the laughing petered out, Caden said, “Now, to answer your question, yes, stuff happens that’s not normal. Our powers happen.”
“While you are making love?” Illarion gaped.
“Yeah, we were ah… okay, I’m not going to go into details here--”
“By the Gods, no!” Illarion agreed.
“You are the one who wanted to discuss this and now you are squeamish?” Valerius asked.
“Do you want to think of me having sex?” Illarion challenged him.
Valerius pursed his lips. “Point made. But yes, our powers do turn on at times.”
