The Mateless Dragon King

Valen's POV Sitting in the center of my office behind my massive dark oak desk, I stared at the sunlight filtering in through the windows, lighting up the high-backed chair that matched my own, sitting forgotten against the wall: the queen’s chair. The office was designed for both the king and queen to work together. Dragon kings in the past have struggled to be separated from their mates for too long, yet here I was alone. The U-shaped desk, with dragons intricately carved into its front and sides, was large enough for two people, possibly even more to easily work without disrupting one another. Mates were imperative to shifters. Our true mate completes us, makes us whole. They are our perfect companion, someone to challenge us and make us better. Mateless shifters were known to be impulsive and explosive. Shifters who have lost their mates either choose not to live anymore or go insane. This is why the Gods always ensure shifters meet their mates during the first Bonding immediately after their first shift. But unfortunately for me, almost two hundred years have passed without me finding my queen. Luckily, Vehiron and I have maintained our sanity. Seven Bondings have come and gone without me finding her, and this year will be the eighth. ‘This is the year.’ My dragon, Vehiron, is optimistic every Bonding. And every Bonding so far, we are both left disappointed. I fear this year will be the same. As the Dragon King of Caelor, being mateless was a common topic of discussion amongst my people. The Caelorians, who are native to our kingdom, are similar to humans, but live a longer lifespan. That was really the only difference I could tell between the two races. Caelorians aged similarly to humans until the age of fourteen, when aging slowed dramatically. Most Caelorians reached old age between three hundred to four hundred years old. Once someone became a shifter, their aging slowed up to five times slower than that of a Caelorian. Once bonded, your mate shares in that extended lifespan with you. The Citidel's theory of why Caelorians live longer is that as shifters reproduce, their genetics have mixed into the general population. Even when shifters reproduced, which they could only do with their mates, their children were normal. The only way to become a shifter was to enter the Trials. Between the ages of fifty and one hundred, men who choose to enter the Trials have the opportunity to be blessed with an animal spirit, chosen by the Gods to guide and assist you. No one spoke about their experience in the Trials, whether they succeeded and shifted or went home empty-handed. There were certain families that were more likely to succeed at the Trials to become shifters, my family included. “Valen? Valen! Are you even listening to me?” my mother asked, frustration evident in her voice. I came back to reality, focusing in on the voice of my mother; her and my brothers were the only people who dared say my name without a title. “I apologize, Mother.” I knew she would be frustrated with me. I met her gaze, noting the tight line of her mouth. “I was having a discussion with Vehiron. Can we speak about preliminary plans for the Bonding another time? It has been a long day.” Her striking platinum blonde hair was intricately styled out of her face and around a simple white gold diadem, with soft curls cascading down her back. She wore a sky blue gown with silver embroidery that shimmered in the light when she moved. She often wore blue, as it reminded her of my father. She stood in front of my desk, perfectly poised except for one finger impatiently tapping on the soft leather-bound folder, embossed with our family crest, signifying that the contents of the folder were official documents. “You will find her when it is your time, son.” A sad smile graced her lips. “How did you know what I was thinking about?” She navigated around my desk and bent down to kiss my forehead like she used to do to comfort me as a child. “I am your mother. I know you better than you know yourself.” ‘I know you even better.’ Vehiron interjected. I internally rolled my eyes. ‘You literally share my mind. It’s not that impressive. And when did this become a competition with my mother?’ I went silent again, my brow furrowed as I lost myself in my own thoughts again. She shuffled the leather folder, ensuring all the papers within were secure before speaking again. “Very well, I will contact Edric to reschedule a time for us to continue discussing planning for the Bonding. Please make sure you are mentally ready at our next meeting. I have everything ready to discuss, I just need your signature and seal to move forward. There is a lot to do in the next eight months!” ‘Are you the king or is she?’ Vehiron didn’t like anyone telling us what to do, even our own mother. ‘Be nice. Planning events is the only thing that has kept her happy in the two centuries since Father disappeared. Plus, it isn’t like we have our own queen to do the work yet. It is understandable that she is frustrated that I am not ready to discuss this topic with her.' Vehiron softly growled, almost purring, ‘Mate will be the best at planning events.’ He continued grumbling about everything our mate would be good at while I turned back to my mother, who stood waiting. “You are excused,” I said in a formal tone, nodding to my mother, who looked like she wanted to say something more but chose to exit my office instead. I looked back down at the documents sprawled across my desk, starting to read through and sign them. My secretary, Edric, brought me a large stack of monthly reports today from the aldermen of each town and village in Caelor. I needed anything to try and keep my mind off my ridiculous dragon’s constant commentary and the upcoming Bonding. Another Bonding where I probably won’t find the one I desperately craved: my true mate. The Bonding was an event of great importance in the kingdom. A month-long period that occurred only once every quarter of a century, filled with contests, galas, and celebrations meant to bring the citizens of Endoria together. The main purpose, however, was that during this time every twenty-five years, new shifters could sense the presence of their true mates and bond with them. The Bonding always opened with a grand gala, where any and all of the women in the kingdom were invited to come to the capital, to my castle. The new shifters and their families would be in attendance, hoping to find their mate early in the month. During that first week, there were cultural festivities all throughout the capital: music and dancing, art exhibitions and theatrical performances that were open to everyone. The second week was a fair, where tradesmen and craftsmen would set up stalls to sell their goods and services, seek apprentices, and show off new inventions. The third week was the Grant Tournament, where shifters from all over the Kingdom come and complete against each other.j During the final week of the Bonding, chosen Priests and Priestesses from the Citadel conduct the blessing and bonding ceremonies, bonding each new shifter and his mate together. Lastly, on the final day of the month, a closing ceremony is held in the evening until midnight, when it would be another twenty-five years until the next Bonding. I sighed deeply, scanning the reports without truly seeing them. Mother’s words echoed in my mind: “You will find her when it’s your time…” I wanted to believe her, to hold onto hope that I would soon find the one who would give meaning to my existence. But each Bonding that passed made that hope feel more like a distant dream. I shook my head and took a deep breath, trying to refocus. My personal longing can’t interfere with my duties to my people. The Bonding is not just about finding true mates for myself and all other shifters, it is about building unity and strengthening our communities for years to come. With my sense of duty renewed, I dipped my pen in ink and made a note on the report in front of me to remind me to have Edric respond to this particular alderman's question. Next meeting with Mother, I will make sure the plans are reviewed and finalized. I owe it to my people to ensure the whole month is enjoyable, even if my heart remains unfulfilled.