Jaxon Valerios had served Maddox Drakencrest through wars, coups, assassination attempts, and one diplomatic dinner that technically counted as an international incident. None of it prepared him for the moment Guinevere Lunaris looked at Maddox and Kael Ashenvale and asked, with genuine warmth, how long they'd been partners.
"You're Kael's..." Her voice trailed off.
"I am the most important man in his life," Kael chimed in.
Her eyes widened, then reddened before she could stop it. Horror followed by grief flooded into two dragons at the same time. Even with Maddox's static matebond, it hit like a wrecking ball aimed at his ribs.
She blinked it back, and her face rearranged itself into something supportive that did not match the emotions she was feeling.
"I think it's wonderful that you're so open about it."
"Open about WHAT?"
"Your relationship. How long have you two been together?"
Neither Maddox nor Kael was understanding what was happening.
