Page 32 of The Arrival of the Dragons

Tez, who was wearing a sleeveless tunic in pale green with tan fringe, dark blue leggings and tan boots along with enough topaz around his neck to sink a small boat, stood a few feet from the screen, shook his head in disgust. “Are they so blind not to know that Meidemandsthose little old ladies make her dresses for no pay? It is tribute! But not of the voluntary kind! Woman of the people, please!”

“Some reporters are shallow creatures, dear. They often just want to look at the outside of something and present it in a nice light, depending on how ugly it truly is,” Esme replied airily from her stance by the open doors to the terrace. She was in one of her chic pants suits from Paris. “If they were honest, they would realize that Valerius probably wears the most down to earth clothes out there. Leather straps? All the same every day?”

“I do not care how I look,” Valerius growled as he rested his chin on his hand. He was, indeed, in his leather pants, boots and off-the-shoulder leather armor. He found these outfits useful and comfortable.

“You look like a reject from a renaissance faire,” Illarion muttered.

In contrast to Valerius, Illarion was dressed in a finely-tailored dark blue suit with white button down shirt open at the collar. His more traditional Russian style dress was for the evenings. During the day, he looked like a wealthy industrialist. Knowing that he kept most of his population in camps made those “civilized” clothes seem more of a stretch than Mei’s “modest” garments. Both of them were hiding what they were beneath sheep’s clothing.

“Have you been able to shift yet, Illarion?” Valerius asked mildly even though he knew that Illarion had not and it would annoy the Green Dragon shifter hugely to be asked.

Illarion flinched and looked up at him with a poisonous gaze. Tez laughed delightedly.

“So the little White Dragon has defanged the mighty Green Dragon?” Tez’s dark brown eyes were filled with glee.

Illarion looked like was chewing glass. “Iolaire willneverturn that power upon me again!”

“Really?” Esme drawled. “And why is that? Because it is your mate?” Her voice dripped with disdain.

Illarion’s head whipped around towards her. “And why are you here, old woman? Do you think that the White Dragon would want your wrinkled form? Bah!”

“Dragon King Illarion!” Chione’s voice rose up sharp and powerful. “Such rudeness will not be tolerated.”

But Esme waved a hand in the air. “Do not worry, Chione. His words draw no more blood than a fly’s would. The day I worry about my desirability based upon Illarion’s judgment would be a sad day indeed. But you are truly foolish to think that the only thing one could offer Iolaire to join them would be a romantic attachment. Indeed, if one was very clever, they would be offering apartnership. Romance often dies. But partnership can shift with the tides of time.”

“Partnership? Partnership? You would share power? No! A mate is not an equal! They are a companion! To please!” Illarion scowled.

Valerius could not imagine a sentiment less designed to attract Caden than that one.

“I am certain with that veryinterestingview of how lovers interact that you will just bowl Iolaire over,” Esme replied faintly even as her expression was one of looking at an ugly bug that had crawled out from under the bed.

“Even if Iolaire had such low self-esteem that it should consider you, Illarion, if you were the only option on Earth, you are not! I am here to offer love and companionship!” Tez laughed, unapologetically even as Valerius had to hide the tensity that entered his form. “I am quite a bit more handsome than you, Illarion. And my Eldoron eclipses any other Dragon’s beauty. Plus my personality is quite a bit more pleasant than yours. I would make an ideal mate!”

“Only if the White Dragon wishes to waste its time with the dregs of society!” Illarion scoffed.

Seeing yet another fight about to take place, Esme said, “Eldoron is a majestic Dragon.”

Tez made a bow. “Thank you. And Scylla is a vision!”

Esme merely smiled, clearly not bothered by Tez’s compliments or by Illarion’s insults. Raziel regarded them all with disgust. It wasn’t that the Black Dragon Spirit did not enjoy Esme and Scylla, but it wanted Caden and Iolaire.

We will see them this afternoon,Valerius tried to soothe his Spirit.

We will not be alone! Mei will be showing off to them her mechanical men. I think we should melt them into slag!Raziel shouted.Iolaire will find that impressive.

Oh, Caden would too.Valerius imagined them doing just that and a smile reached his lips.

“Why do you let Mei parade through your village--”

“City, Illarion, Reach is acity,” Chione remarked bruskly.

Illarion grunted his assent and continued on, “Why are we punished for simplyflyinginto Reach while she gets to bring an army?”

Valerius actuallywasn’tpleased with this display, but unlike flying in his territory in Dragon form, these mechanical men were not a threat. Not a traditional one in any case. Mei did not mean them to be threatening. She was, after all, having them come in like highly expensive, elaborate toys that would thrill the people. And the people were thrilled from the look of the crowd. If he treated them like they were a real army then he would look weak. So in they came. They would all be placed in the dungeon the moment they arrived and guarded by the Claw.

“Because these tin soldiers are a party trick,” Valerius answered him.

“How can you be sure?” Illarion asked a rather cautious question from him.

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