Page 11 of The White Dragon Revealed

“I talked her out of it. Obviously.” She patted the air between them.

“All the Dragon Shifters are here! What did she intend to do? Go canvas them about her desire for a better Shifter-Human world?” he scoffed.

But Chione nodded. “I think she would love that opportunity.”

“I bet she would.”

He groaned and scrubbed the back of his neck. He tossed the remote down and sprawled on the couch opposite her. He thought of how he and Caden had cuddled here just last night. He wished Caden were there right at that moment. But he was talking to Esme. He wondered how that was going.

“She believes that the rightness of her arguments must be acknowledged. In some ways, it’s such a pure position and it does work on people.” Chione tapped her stylius against her lower lip.

“Just not Illarion.” He sighed.

“Oh, he couldn’t deny the truth of what she was saying. He just doesn’t believe in the same things. He’s not a normal person. Not even before he bonded with his Spirit, I’m guessing,” Chione said.

“None of us were.” Valerius shrugged. “There were so many more like him before. They come in different flavors now in this much safer world. But back in the day, we both ran into Illarions. Small men with big insecurities that took them out by hurting others.”

“Yes.” She sighed and wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her arms. “He just got very lucky.”

Valerius nodded. At the moment, Illarion seemed the least of his problems. His concern was fully for Caden. He had captured the world’s imagination. He should have seen that.

“They’re going to find out who Caden is,” Chione said suddenly. He focused on her. She looked grim. “I know we promised Caden that we would keep his secret and give him a chance for a normal life. Or, at least, a chance to grow into this new one.”

“Caden knows this. Mei saw him in the mirror,” he told her.

“Oh, dear. That is unfortunate.” She studied him closely. “You do not sound too upset though.”

“It was inevitable. I have no doubt that Mei knew in advance who he was,” Valerius answered her. “Caden realized afterwards that keeping his secret wasn’t possible, and might not even be for the best for those he loves. He was ready to call a press conference.”

“Without talking to his parents or Wally? They have to be brought here or somewhere safe! They’ll be set upon by reporters like a horde of locusts!”

Chione sat up straighter as if ready to bolt out of the door to stop this from happening.She wasn’t necessarily wrong to believe Caden was quite capable of going into Drago Strike Square and shifting in front of all and sundry.

“Do not worry. Caden knows that too. He is aware that he needs a plan,” he told her.

She didn’t completely relax. “And what is that plan?”

“He does not know yet. But he is willing to take advice from you, me, Wally, even his parents, if they are speaking to him,” he sighed at the end.

This was not the time when Caden should be at odds with his parents. He needed support. But, then again, this break had to happen.

“That is something.” She still didn’t look sold on it. Caden and Iolaire were capable of almost anything. “Should he announce who he is with the other Dragon Shifters here? Or after they leave?”

That was the question.

They will come back to meet him as if they have not already,Raziel muttered without opening its eyes.

He tended to agree with that.

“They will be offended if he doesn’t agree to meet them in his human form,” Chione mused.

“He is meeting with Esme now. Hers is the only opinion I care for.” He waved a hand through the air.

He felt tired already. Maybe he could convince Caden to come back and nap in the sun. That would be lovely. But Queen Kaila was to be there by noon and Queen Jahara by that evening, followed by the final Dragon Shifter, King Anwar. There was no time for naps. Unless they just ignored them all.

Chione brightened. “That is good! I do think that Esme needs some show of support after Serai.” Her expression went dark again. “Serai… I can’t believe it. She remained an adherent of the Faith, you know. Even after she bonded with her Spirit, she still believed in their goodness. So why would she do this?”

His jaw clenched. The thought of Serai made him want to send everyone packing again and bunker down with Caden.

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