Chapter Twenty-Five

  Startled at my new revelation, I slowly peel myself from Flavius. Our breath comes out in short bouts as we stare into each other's eyes.

    "You have no idea how long I have waited for this," I say, my hands still buried in his hair, lightly stroking.

    "How long exactly have you been waiting to kiss me," he asks, chuckling.

    "I am not speaking of the kiss, what I mean is I have waited for you, my mate, a long time."

     "Mate?" He says puzzled.

    Smiling I grab his hand.

    "Come, we have a lot to talk about,” I say.

    Silently, he follows. Leading him down a stone path in the palace garden I take him to a bench that sits shaded by a large weeping willow.

    "We dragons have always been good at hiding our way of life. Part of that being mates; mates or soulmates, is the perso