Page 56 of The Arrival of the Dragons

Unless Serai didn’t tell her that I had seen her,Caden suggested softly.

Even so, she wouldn’t risk it. She has backup plans for backup plans. She trusts in nothing and no one,Valerus answered.If she wished to go against me, she would not be sloppy like this.

I’m glad. I--I like her,Caden admitted.

She had petted him and been kind about his icy breath. He genuinely believed she wanted to show him how to be a Dragon Shifter. But he mostly didn’t want it to be true because she seemed the one friend Valerius had among the Shifters that he had met so far. Tez was one, too, but lesser because Valerius and his personalities clashed.

As do I. Going up against Esme would be far more dangerous than Mei or Illarion in any case so I have more selfish reasons for hoping it is not so,Valerius told him.

You mean because she’s smarter than them?Caden knew that Illarion was the physically strongest of the three, and likely second only to Valerius. Mei had magma to Esme’s water breath so they would be evenly matched in that.

Mei is clever. But Esme is careful. She did not get where she is by being foolish or acting without thinking things out eleven steps ahead of her,Valerius explained.

Speaking of Mei, she was over by Serai, pacing in front of the struggling girl, with one finger tapping her delicate chin and regarding her curiously. She, too, seemed to not know who the girl was. But, then again, Mei must have been a good actress as she was able to convince the mayor’s son that she loved him and wanted only the best for him until she stabbed him in the heart.

What about Mei? Could Serai be working for her? Though neither of them are acting like they know the other,Caden said.

He risked a quick head duck to see what was happening in there. After glimpsing his human face again, he determined not to do that again. Luckily, no one had been looking into the mirror at the time.

“Could Iolaire be mistaken?” Tez asked. “I hardly remember the circumstances of my joining.”

“You did not forget the faces or names of the people responsible for you and the others being in that mine, now did you?” Esme asked dryly. “So I highly doubt that Iolaire or its human counterpart has forgotten the face of the person who set the bomb that would have killed him or her otherwise.”

“No.” Tez frowned. “I suppose that face would be burned into my memory.”

“Your people have either betrayed you or you have betrayed Valerius, Esme. Either way, you are deep in it!” Illarion remarked with a snort.

Esme tossed him an icy glance. “That is likely what someoneintends, but it shall not be so. For I have not betrayed Valerius, and I will find out from Serai who put her up to this!”

Esme stalked into the throne room. Tez reluctantly followed after her as if he were compelled to learn this young woman’s story. Illarion went over to the railing and leaned against it, arms crossed over his chest as he watched Iolaire with hooded eyes.

You should go in there, Valerius. I’m fine out here,Caden urged the Black Dragon King.

I do not wish to leave you alone with Illarion,Valerius answered simply.

The very fact that Valerius was hesitating in leaving him warmed Caden. But Valerius needed to discover if Serai’s betrayal extended beyond her to one or more of the other Dragon Shifters.

I’ll be fine. He tries anything and he doesn’t get to shift for another day.Caden gave Illarion a narrow-eyed look.

Indeed. Raziel would like to see you do that again,Valerius laughed.

I bet.Caden nosed the Black Dragon King’s stomach, loving the smell of him, and wanting to have that in his nose even as he thought it best that Valerius go inside while he remained outside.

Valerius frowned.You must not repeat this to Chione but…

What?Caden felt a little agog about whatever the Black Dragon King didn’t want his Councillor to know.

But I could use her guidance in this.Valerius sighed.

Caden chuckled.

Do not laugh!But soon Valerius was grinning himself, though he soon sobered.

I’m betting you know what she would say in this situation,Caden guessed.

Serai is Esme’s citizen, not mine, Valerius explained slowly. But Serai committed an act of terror against my people. So there is a line I must walk not to interfere in Esme’s business, but to protect my own as well.

Valerius scratched Caden between the ears as he spoke. His gaze was distant and Caden realized how hard this must be for Valerius. He knew there were enemies on all sides and yet he couldn’t just crush everyone to end the threat. Well, maybe Valeriuscould, but he was trying to find another solution.

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