Page 63 of The Arrival of the Dragons

Valerius, who had been nuzzling Caden’s hair, was saved from answering this by the knock on the doors. “Ah, our food. Stay where you are, Caden. Though I trust my staff implicitly, we shouldn’t have them seeing you here now.”

Caden let him get up, but there was a reluctance there as if Caden wanted to say something, but didn’t. Valerius set his wine glass down and went for the doors. It was Mariya with a huge platter of steaks, spatchcocked chicken, and vegetables already salted, peppered, marinated, and ready for the grill. He smiled at her and thanked her before swiftly closing the door on her after taking the tray from her hands.

“Oh man, that looks so good already,” Caden moaned.

“It will taste better cooked. Even Raziel thinks so,” Valerius said as he started laying the thick slabs of steak, the spatchcocked chickens, the large white knob onions, the red peppers, and then the zucchini and onion slices on the grill over the fire. Immediately, the meat and vegetables began to sizzle.

After everything was set out, he got back on the couch with Caden tucked against him. He had a set of long tongs in his hands so that he could turn almost everything from where he was sitting. Besides, the key wasnotto touch anything until one absolutely had to in order to get that caramelized char.

“The girl, or I guess, the Shifter, Serai, why do you think she did it? I mean she said for change, but what change?” Caden finally asked. “She’s a Shifter. She’s more likely to be on top than a human.”

“Depending on what kind of Shifter she was,” Valerius said.

“Somehow I don’t think Esme would have Rat, Snake or Swarm Shifters in her entourage,” Caden said almost bitterly.

“Actually, she would. Esme has her ear to the ground at all times. She wouldn’t ignore a population of Shifters based on prejudice. That would leave a hole in her spying,” Valerius answered.

“Oh, I guess I was wrong again,” Caden sighed.

“You aren’t completely wrong. She has them because they are useful to her, not necessarily because she has any love for them, but she did care for Serai. I think Serai was a bit of a mentee to her,” Valerius answered.

Caden stirred. “Here I am being all depressed about it when that’sherfriend. Esme must be so upset.”

“She is. And angry. And determined. Whoever chose to go after Serai made a mistake. She will not stop until she has the people responsible,” Valerius answered as he brushed his lips across Caden’s forehead. “And, unlike me, who would simply kill them and be done with it, she will make themsuffer.”

Caden shivered. “You did say that Dragon Shifters aren’t heroic exactly.”

“We are beings of war and revenge and many other things. But heroic? Until you? No.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not heroic.” Caden’s voice was flat and dull.

Valerius drew a little back so that he could see Caden’s face. “What are you talking about? You risked your life to save those people in the square and--”

Caden was suddenly leaning forward, elbows on knees. “And what have I done since then? I ask people to risk themselves so that I can keep on with my quiet, ordinary life!” Caden was shaking his head. “I don’t know why Iolaire bonded with me. There are so many things that need fixing and I’m not the person to do it! I mean we just watched someone take their own life because they were so miserable with the world we have! How can that be stopped?”

Valerius leaned forward, resting a hand on Caden’s lower back. He could feel the fine tremors going through the young man just like he had through Esme. Both of them was pushed to the edge by Serai’s suicide.

“The truth is that it can’t be,” Valerius told him.

Caden’s expression was wrenched. “But--”

“Caden, not everyone can be happy. Not everyone will be treated fairly. There will always be those on top and those on the bottom. And there will always be those who think violence is the answer to change who occupies those positions,” Valerius said gently. “I say these things not to discourage you from trying to make things better. I say these things so that you understand that any change you make that helps people is extraordinary, because you are fighting against things that are immutable.”

“Then Iolairedefinitelyshouldn’t have picked me,” Caden stated. “Valerius, when Mei saw me in the mirror I panicked. I wanted to do anything to have her not have seen me. That was so cowardly. Selfish. Stupid.”

“Wanting to have time to adjust and grow before you are in the spotlight is none of those things,” Valerius assured him.

“But itis. If you hadn’t defanged Marban by giving him that Council position, he would have been asking me for afavorto keep my secret.” Caden drew his arms around himself. “Jasper Hawes threatened Landry to get my name. My family was put in danger! Now Mei knows. Tell me that she won’t ask for something to keep quiet too.”

She would. She would undoubtedly ask for something huge. If not for Caden to come with her, then something that would be terrible for the boy to give. Raziel, who had settled since it was in Iolaire’s presence, stirred. The girl’s death had been no never mind to it. She had threatened their people and now she was gone. As was good and right. But the thought of Caden and Iolaire going with Mei and Xipil was causing it to smoke and steam

We will pull Xipil’s wings off if it is even suggested!Raziel roared.

Iolaire's cooling presence wrapped around his fiery Spirit.Peace. Will never leave you.

Iolaire’s words swept into Valerius’ mind easily. Raziel’s smoke and fire banked slightly and its red eyes hooded.

Will not let you go,Raziel muttered.

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