Page 7 of The White Dragon Revealed

“How can Valerius know that unless he has plumbed all your depths?” Esme asked, and Caden’s cheeks flooded with color at the use of the word “plumbed” though he didn’t think Esme meant it sexually. “You are the White Dragon Shifter, yes?”

He nodded. “I’m Caden. Caden Bryce. You met Iolaire already.”

She returned the nod and let out another delighted laugh. “My goodness, you are soyoung. And adorable! Such a handsome young man. I am going to take the grandmother’s prerogative and pinch your cheeks.”

She did just that which had him laughing and blushing for some reason. His grandparents had died when he was still in his early teens. So it felt nice having someone who would treat him like a grandson.

“Please sit down. Would you like something to eat or drink?” she asked.

His head was already bobbing. “Valerius said you like breakfast. I like breakfast. I mean I really like food of all kinds right now.”

She laughed again. “Oh, yes, you must be starving. Well, you are in luck. I was about to have something out on the balcony. There is nothing more healing than morning light.”

He followed her outside onto the balcony. He blinked as that golden light hit him. There were two tables on the balcony. One was a round table near the railing so that the diners could look out easily. Then was a larger table that was laden with food off to the side.

Baskets of pastries, platters of eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes and, yes,beans, were set out. Caden vaguely remembered that English people sometimes ate baked beans for breakfast. There were piles of plates and cutlery.

One of Esme’s people was there filling up a plate for herself. It was Molly. Serai’s friend. Her eyes widened upon seeing him. Her eyes grew even wider as she saw Esme pat his cheeks.

“Fill up a plate and we’ll sit down over there and talk. I am quite honored that you came to me like this,” Esme told him.

“I wanted to from the beginning, but I was afraid. I’m still afraid. Not of you, but… everything. All of this,” Caden admitted.

She nodded as if this made a great deal of sense. “Considering how things started, I don’t blame you. But food first. Food and sunlight make things clearer.”

Caden did as she suggested and loaded up a plate high with foodand then balanced two croissants on the top, one chocolate, one almond dusted with powdered sugar. Molly lingered, too, picking out her own food, her eyes darting to him, and then back to the dishes. She was clearly wondering who he was. She probablyguessedwho he must be, but neither he nor Esme enlightened her.

“Molly, would you mind eating elsewhere today? Caden and I need some private time,” Esme said gently.

“Of course, my queen.” Molly curtseyed and took her plate into the tower.

Esme and Caden sat at the round table. Looking over the side of the railing, Caden could see a huge swath of sky, but also the botanical gardens below that were in High Reach. That was where the delicious scent of flowers was coming from.

“Since Reach is not near the sea, Valerius always tries to make me feel at home by surrounding me with flowers. I have quite extensive gardens in all of my homes,” Esme explained as she lightly buttered a slice of toast.

“He’s thoughtful. You wouldn’t think it because he’s so gruff and glowering a lot of the time, but he really does care for the people who are close to him,” Caden said as he went to studying his own plate and trying to figure out how to attack the mound of food he had piled on it.

Esme smiled. “If you already know that about him, you must be close indeed.”

“Yeah, but there’s so much more to know,” Caden said, even as he smiled uncontrollably.

Just speaking of Valerius reminded him of their night together. He had never slept so well. In fact, he’d always had problems sleeping in the same bed as his boyfriend. He didn’t like to be held. Too hot. Too confining. He couldn’t breathe properly. But with Valerius that hadn’t been a problem.

He’d tucked against the much larger body and somehow it had just beenright. He’d fallen asleep in moments and hadn’t woken up a sodden mess. Instead, coolness had seemed to flow all around themthe entire night. He wondered if it was because of Iolaire’s ice somehow.

“So what brings you here to me in this form? Why did you choose to reveal yourself to me… or am I the last to know?” Esme looked a little bleak when she said the last.

“You’re the first Dragon Shifter to know, Queen Esme,” he assured her, reaching over to cover one of her hands on the table with his own.

“Esme, please! I would not have any formality between us. When we first met, I felt I knew you well already. Perhaps it is because our gifts are similar. Water and ice,” she explained.

“I felt the same way,” Caden said. “And I hope that you might be willing to teach me how to use my powers better because of it.” His forehead furrowed. “Not that I have anything to offer you in return--”

“Your friendship is enough!” She waved his concern away. Her confidence was seemingly restored. “Besides, you stopped Serai from harming so many people when I did not.”

“Any ideas as to why she did it?” Caden asked. He had a feeling that Esme had not slept last night, but had ceaselessly gone through Serai’s digital life.

Esme shook her head. “The only thing about Serai that was perhapsdifferentwas that she kept her Faith.”

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