Page 26 of The White Dragon Revealed

It was Valerius’ turn to narrow his eyes. “So if I am an old fuddy duddy, what are you, Tez? Why aren’t you jumping on that infernal device to ride it around and show usoldshow its done?”

Caden made a choking noise, which had Valerius thumping his back. Red-faced, Caden thanked him and then said, “Olds? You almost sounded--”

“Hip?” Esme chuckled.

Valerius just shrugged and turned back to Tez. “I am waiting for you to get on that hoverboard.”

Tez looked alarmed. He had that deer in the headlights look. Eldoron was very particular about always looking its best. Tez falling on his ass would not fit in with that look.

What lie will he make up?Raziel’s claws clacked as it put one toe down at a time.

“I’m eating right now.” Tez’s cheeks were burning as he stuffed so much omelet into his mouth that he couldn’t even speak.

Kaila let out a moan and stomped her foot on the hoverboard which bobbled and nearly slid out from under her. She quickly caught her balance though and pretended it hadn’t happened.

“Caden, surelyyouwant to try my hoverboard?” Kaila’s lower lip thrust out at him.

Caden--still chewing bacon, Chione was on a phone call with the president so he might have to ask for more bacon himself--looked at the hoverboard, at Kaila’s pleading face, then over at Valerius’ neutral expression before looking back at the hoverboard.

“I heard that they banned hoverboards because they’re dangerous,” Caden finally said.

“Caden! Oh, you mustn’t be afraid! I’ll make sure you’re safe! We have a connection already and I would never let anything happen to you!” Kaila’s eyes were simplyshining.

“You really can’t get hurt, Caden dear. Remember that we’re Dragon Shifters. Practically indestructible. Remember how you lifted that door? Same thing here but with invulnerability,” Esme reminded him. “That’s not why these two chickens--I mean brave Dragon Shifters--won’t try it.”

“Why won’t they?” Caden’s eyes were wide with curiosity.

“Dignity. They are afraid of their dignity being bruised,” she said.

“Yes! Yes!” Kaila bounced up and down on the hoverboard, managing to keep her feet rather remarkably.

“I don’t understand. You guys are all… well, not graceful, but very athletic!” Caden cried loyally.

Kaila leaned towards Caden and curled one hand around her mouth as she whispered, “Raziel has abig buttand therefore tends to tip back. Now you may say that doesn’t matter because it is Valerius using the hoverboard, but I tell you that it translates. Big dragon butts have an impact on the human form.”

Caden stared at her silently for a long moment, but then he was laughing so hard that he was pounding the table. “Oh, God, I can see that! I can so--Valerius, don’t be mad! I love Raziel’s butt! Iolaire loves Raziel’s butt!”

Valerius was scowling at him. Raziel’s head had lifted from its forearms to also scowl at Caden. Caden swallowed.

Tez murmured, “I would imagine Caden enjoys Valerius’ butt very much for many reasons.”

Kaila held up a hand and showed it tipping backwards. “Tip. Right on the ass!”

Then everyone was laughing, even Valerius. Raziel just shook its massive head and laid it down. Its big butt was a powerful butt and it would make sure that Kaila’s Spirit Lana remembered that the next time they flew together. That had Valerius’ smile growing.

“What part of Eldoron is causing Tez to be… ah, ungainly on the hoverboard?” Caden asked as he wiped his tears from his eyes.

Tez straightened. “Nothing! Eldoron is perfect!”

Kaila’s eyes were narrowed as she studied Tez critically as if she could see through him to Eldoron. “I think the biggest part of Eldoron is…”

Tez looked like he was awaiting a pronouncement of doom.

“... is…”

Tez quivered.

Then she smiled and said, “It's heart! A big heart.”

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