Page 58 of The Arrival of the Dragons

You were there? Did you know it was going to happen?Caden asked.

The White Dragon Spirit did not answer him exactly, only saying,Watching you.

You were watching me? For how long? And why? I--

Listen now,Iolaire interrupted gently.

Caden realized that Iolaire would not answer more, perhaps it wouldn’t have even if there hadn’t been important information that they needed to listen to. So he sighed and accepted this. But he would come back to it. Not to mention, he noted that Iolaire was expressing itself in more complex sentences. It was learning.

“You were with me in themorning, Serai. You could have gotten here by the time the bomb was to be set,” Esme answered her, and there was a chill in her tone.

“But you’ll see I was on no planes! I--”

“Even if I could check every single plane that flies between England and the United States for you, which would be a herculean task and most likely a fruitless one if you came by private jet, there are plenty of other ways to make your way here in time,” Esme responded tartly. “I would hope whoever is trying to harm Valerius--and evidently, myself, too--would have the wherewithal and the respect to not send you viacoachand under your own name without a disguise.”

“Mistress! Why would you think I would do this?” Serai wailed.

Caden’s heart clenched. Iolaire hid their head in a wing. She sounded so young.

But she isn’t. Once a person bonds with their Spirit they are that age forever so she could be as old as Chione!

Caden suddenly desperately wished that Chione was here just like Valerius had.

“You did not want to come here, Serai,” Esme said quietly. “When I asked you, you tried to beg off, even though traveling into Valerius’ territory is a great honor.”

“I--I did not feel well! I--”

“You hid in our rooms immediately. You only came down here because I asked Molly to have you bring Iolaire its gift,” Esme said, her voice suddenly cutting. “Molly!”

“Yes, Mistress,” said another young woman.

“I see you have the gift. How did you come by it?” Esme demanded.

“Serai brought it to me,” the young woman paused and Caden knew there was more that she wasn’t saying.

“But?” Evidently, Esme heard the missing words, too.

“I don’t want to add… I don’t want to be responsible for you thinking this is anything--”

“Molly, just tell the truth. The facts are the facts,” Esme interrupted, and there was exasperation as much as anger in her tone.

“She didn’t want to come down,” Molly admitted, her voice getting small. “She asked me to come up to get the gift. But I couldn’t because you might need me and then she ran off.”

“Yes, thank you, Molly. I do understand your concerns,” Esme suddenly sounded so tired. “I do appreciate your honesty, and I want you to remember that simply by speaking the truth you have done nothing to hurt Serai.”

But everyone knew that these words simply added to Serai’s appearance of guilt.

Iolaire suddenly reared and swung their head around towards Illarion. The Green Dragon King was no longer leaning against the wall, observing them out of hooded eyes, but instead had padded silently to their side and had been about to touch them.

Rage flickered in Caden’s chest. He turned their massive body and pushed their head towards Illarion’s chest. White frosty air wreathed around their jaws. Illarion put up his hands and backed away. Caden though continued to come after him, jaws agape, until Illarion’s back hit the wall.

“I am sorry, Iolaire. I just…” Illarion let out a helpless laugh. “I have never touched a Dragon before. I am fascinated.”

Really? Nothing to do with the mates thing?Caden expressively raised one of their eyebrows.

“You are so pretty! Such a pretty Dragon!” Illarion then admitted.

Caden’s eyes narrowed and he let out another huff of frost that coated Illarion’s front. The Green Dragon Shifter grimaced and there was a spark of anger in his eyes, but he did not attack.

---