Page 9 of The Arrival of the Dragons

Esme was back to patting Iolaire’s snout, and Illarion moved closer to get in on that action. Iolaire let out an angry snort of frost. Esme turned it into a thin glass wall between Illarion and Iolaire.

“Do not press your luck, Illarion,” Esme said dryly. “Iolaire does not want you near.”

“Does this mean you intend to throw your hat into the ring, Esme, and not just be an observer as you usually are? That you are here to court the White Dragon, too?” The Russian accent made the words even more biting.

Esme narrowed her eyes at him. “Dear boy, rushing in where angels fear to tread with an arrogant smile on your face might be your way of interacting with the world, but it has never been mine. And my way has served me well throughout the millennia.”

As if to prove her point that her way was better, she scratched under Iolaire’s chin. Iolaire’s eyelids shut in pleasure.

“I just thought that your friendship here with Valerius would preclude such actions by you,” Illarion said.

Esme continued to scratch Iolaire. “You see things as always in a binary way, Illarion. Mine or yours. Yes or no. Enemy or ally. All or nothing. It’s so… interesting.”

Illarion’s smile faded a watt. He knew she was insulting him, but couldn’t quite figure out how, because, like she had said, he thought of things in those terms and couldn’t see what was wrong with it.

“My way has served me well, too,” Illarion told her stiffly.

“Hmmm,” she answered noncommittally as she continued to scratch Iolaire’s chin. “If you say so. You have not asked about your ability to shift, Illarion. I, for one, would be most curious about when you’ll be able to do that again.”

Illarion’s jaw worked for a moment. “I imagine… that it will wear off soon.”

Chione let out a soft huff of breath that almost sounded like a laugh. Illarion’s head jerked towards her.

“If you have something to say then say it!” Illarion snapped at her.

“Do not speak to Chione in that manner,” Valerius’ voice was cold. “Apologize.”

“She…” Illarion stopped himself. He rolled his lips together. “I… I apologize for my tone.”

“Your apology is accepted, Illarion. I want you to have apleasantstay in Valerius’ territory,” Chione said gracefully. “Despite how things have started out. Perhapsnothaving the ability to shift for some period of time would be agoodthing.”

Alarm flared in Illarion’s eyes. They darted all around. He was realizing that his time stuck in his human form was going to be longer than he’d thought. That was good to see.

“Are you letting all the Dragons come here, Valerius?” Illarion asked as he watched the scratching.

“I let you come here, didn’t I?” Valerius pointed out.

Illarion’s eyes narrowed. “I would have come regardless.”

There was such tension for a moment that the air seemed to solidify with it. Iolaire let out a low hoot to remind him that violence was not the answer. Simi and Ngoye were alert at the doors, ready to come charging in. Chione’s hands flexed together in front of her chest as her gaze skipped between Valerius and Illarion. Esme concentrated on Iolaire, but he felt her waiting for his reaction. He was going to give it.

We need to crush him,Raziel repeated from earlier.

Yes, I think we do.

At that moment, there was a commotion at the doors to the throne room. Simi and Ngoye were holding back three large men, who from their clothing and grim-faced demeanor, were a part of Illarion’s entourage.

“You remain here until allowed forward,” Simi growled at a bear of a man that stood two heads taller than him. Not that the Snake Shifter was intimidated. He looked about ready to strike.

“I am here to serve my master,” the bear-man snarled in a Russian accented voice. He was holding a robe for Illarion.

“My king has not said you can come out here,” Simi hissed back.

So everybody that serves Illarion is a bastard,Caden said.Good to know.

Valerius gave a mirthless smile then he strode over to the bear-man. He pulled the robe out of his hands. The bear-man was so startled by his sudden appearance that all he did was open his mouth, but nothing came out.

“I will take this. Wait here. I would have words with yourmasterbefore he retires to his quarters,” Valerius told him. He then went over and took Illarion’s arm firmly by one hand and dragged the Green Dragon Shifter over away from everyone. “Come, Illarion, I would speak with you.”

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