Dragon's Delight by Willa Okati
Changeling Press
Paranormal, Futuristic
Short Story, M/M
Review by Dandelion

A veteran of the war in search of a hero’s welcome, Collin finds himself S.O.L. The man he could have fallen in love with didn’t come home with him, and Collin’s left without a direction. What does a soldier do when the fight’s over?

Why, he finds a new challenge. Or, in this case, a challenge finds him. One of the mysterious dragons that appeared during the war to circle the skies snatches Collin from his home and carries him to the dragon lands. The dragon, Zacharei, claims he’s “returning” Collin to his dragon lord. But how can this be, when Collin’s never visited in the first place?

Collin begins to understand when Zacharei leaves him with “his” dragon, Avalier, a beast who’s the exact duplicate of Nyas — and who thinks Collin is his “Kay-lin,” a doppelganger who disappeared during Avalier’s own last battle. Mistaken identity has never been this sexy — and a mix-up has never been so perfect a solution for the lonely hearts of two soldiers. 

♥ ♥ ♥

This story is filled with strong writing, great characters, longing, reunion, and exquisite male-male pleasure.  The opening pages, in which Collin says goodbye to a love from his past, are touching and heart-rending.  In a world dominated by war and waste, there’s nothing left for him…until a dragon plucks him away and flies him to another, lush world by mistake.  Delivered to the doorstep of Avalier, Collin discovers that he’s been mistaken for this dragon’s human playmate.  But before he can mind too much, he finds himself falling fast for this lonely dragon with the passionate hands and breath-taking good looks.

Both male characters are fully developed in this short work, with complex feelings and valid emotions.  Their attraction for one another is completely believable and quite touching, and the sex scenes are hot and well-written.  No flaws here - just a great, tightly written story of one man and one man-dragon finding peace and happiness together in a world set far in the future.  Great job, Ms. Okati!