Page 39 of The White Dragon Revealed

His father was not deterred by this as he said, “If that is true then will you agree to give him part of your territory, King Valerius?”

FIRED AND ICE

“Dad,” Caden’s voice sounded surprisingly calm to Valerius considering the circumstances.

The moment the Black Dragon King sensed Caden and Rose in the hall, he had expected the young man to storm into the throne room and scream at his father. To rant and rave, in fact. Not to mention to remind Grant Bryce that he’d said “no” to a territory countless times before yet here Grant was demanding that Caden get what he didn’t want. But Caden was completely calm. In fact, he sounded, if Valerius was going to put a name to it,tired. Maybe evensad.

As Caden and Rose emerged from the hallway and entered the throne chamber, Caden looked up at Valerius and gave a wave. Valerius found his mouth twitching into what suspiciously looked like a smile. Anytime he seemed to see Caden, he found his mood improving. Even when the young man was bringing trouble his way.

But the view of Thomas Storn and Leonard Guissler immediately squashed that happiness. The two lawyers were clearing their throats and shifting papers in their hands. They guessed there would be a family squabble in a moment despite Caden’s gentle tone. They, undoubtedly, would like it to take place--if it had to at all--outside ofValerius’ view. They had no idea that Caden told Valerius most everything.

Unless it is some plan to go to the Below and get petted.

“Caden. Rose,” Grant said both of their names fondly though there was the slightest tremor in it that human ears could not have heard.

“Dad, hey,” Caden said, continuing in that calm and gentle manner as he went over to his father, completely ignoring the lawyers.

“Hello, Mr. Bryant,” Rose said. She had her arms crossed over her chest. Her hands rubbed her own arms as if she were cold.

“My granddaughterhurtsfor them,” Marban said from Valerius’ left where he stood there as if he had always stood there.

There was an emotion in his voice that Valerius would not have thought possible: jealousy. Just a touch of it. Whatever Marban thought of his “grandchildren” and Valerius had always surmised it was not much, Marban, evidently, was not fond of them wanting to be a part of someone else’s family.

“She sees the family that she wished she had,” Valerius answered. “Having a… agrandfatheronly healed some of her pain.”

“I doubt I healed any of it. Come now, Valerius, I take. I do not give,” Marban answered quietly, but there was a look on his face as he watched Rose gaze with such concern at Caden and Grant that belied those words.

Chione stood on the opposite side of Valerius. In some ways, Valerius felt like he had an angel on one shoulder in Chione and a devil on the other in Marban. It should have felt strange to have Marban there with her. But it didn't.

Chione’s hands folded together in front of her as she studied Caden’s father. “Mr. Bryant is exhausted and desperate. He loves his son. He’s not come here to do harm.”

“Yes, but this is not the way to show it,” Valerius answered her.

“No, but love is funny that way,” she stated.

Grant Bryce stepped closer to his son so that he was almost invading Caden’s space. He grasped Caden’s biceps and held him at arm’s length for long moments. Just looking at him as if to memorize Caden’s face or see if there were differences.

Valerius noticed that Chione was right at that moment. Grant looked tired and worn. His worry about his son had been the one thing that had stopped Valerius from biting his head off figuratively and, maybe, literally. That and Caden being upset about it.

Grant embraced his son tightly. Caden’s chin rested on his father’s shoulder and Valerius could see Caden’s expression. Caden’s eyes closed for a moment. He loved his father quite deeply. That was what was making this all the more difficult for Caden. He had become a man after his father’s death. He had never had to break from his father. So he could only imagine what Caden was going through. Caden’s eyes opened at that moment and his gaze fixed on Valerius.

What do you want me to do, Caden? What can I do to help you?Valerius asked.

I’m not sure if you can do anything,Caden’s voice came surprisingly clear. Their gift of communication was so spotty, but not now.I sort of have a plan.

Valerius’ eyebrows lifted.Famous last words, Caden.

Caden grinned for a moment.Yeah, I know, but I get why he’s doing this now. He’s scared.

Yes,Valerius said.I would imagine any father would be.

And he’s trying to control things,Caden added.

Understandable,Valerius agreed.

Just in the exact wrong way.Caden’s smile dimmed.

Because of the fear.

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