Page 27 of The White Dragon's Dilemma

“STOP!”Caden shouted.“EVERYONE, STOP!”

Valerius felt that pressurized wave of Caden’s magic as the White Dragon Shifter stopped Illarion and Mei from shifting.The Red and Green Dragon Shifters staggered and nearly collapsed.Esme caught Mei around the waist and helped her back onto the sofa. Kaila and Tez managed to keep Illarion on his feet, but he quickly waved them off and drank more vodka to fortify himself.

Caden met the gazes of everyone in the room.“What the Hell is going on?”Before anyone could answer him, Caden continued, “You know what?I don’t care!Becausenothingjustifies whatever was going on here considering what is going on out there!”Caden thrust a finger towards the balcony and the darkness beyond.Caden then gave out a soft laugh and looked at Jahara.“Seeing this, do you really think having all the Dragons in one territory is agoodidea?”

“What?”That was echoed out of every throat.

Jahara smiled faintly.“I still think it is agoodidea.I never said it would be aneasyone.”

Valerius rose to his feet.He needed fortification before he heard what Jahara had to say.So he ordered, “All of you, except Caden, leave.I wish for time alone before we meet again for dinner.” And with a suspicious twitch of his lips, he added, “Do not give the White Dragon Shifter reason to impose his rule over you.It seems he has a temper equal to mine.”

Caden blushed.

WAITING

The others streamed out of Valerius’ rooms except for Jahara and Chione, who lingered in the doorway, intent on drawing Jahara after her.But Jahara ignored the hint.She stood there, smiling slightly, and looking meaningfully at Valerius.Caden pinched the top of his nose as Valerius simply crossed his arms over his chest and glared at her.

“Do you think you are somehowexemptfrom the description ‘everyone except Caden leave’?”Valerius asked meaningfully.

“I wanted to make sure that you understood my proposal fully before meeting with the others,” Jahara explained simply.

She continued to be calm and composed despite Valerius looking like a volcano about to blow.

“I can explain it to him, Jahara,” Caden offered as he maneuvered himself between Valerius and Jahara.

“Though you are open to my plans, you do not believe in them fully, Caden, as I do.So I must make my own case,” she answered with a soft smile.

“Make it exceedingly brief then.”Valerius put his hands on Caden’s shoulders as he moved up behind him.Those hands massaged him and Caden nearly purred.

Chione took out her tablet and stylus to take notes, but Caden knew there was no need.

Jahara tented her fingers beneath her chin, her gaze going distant as she marshaled her thoughts, before she spoke, “I believe a war is coming on many fronts.These wayward Faithful.Groups like Humans First and others of its ilk.Even wars between us if we keep separate territories.We cannot defend the entirety of the world, Valerius, but we can protect apartof it.My suggestion is that we form a single Shifter territory, free of humans, while the rest of the world is free of Shifters. Each area is governed by their own.Each area need not worry about the other except at the highest levels of power.With our combined strength and know-how, humanity--even the zealous--will not be able to reach us.Many who feel the desire now to oppose us will no longer feel a need to, because they will no longer be competing with us for scarce resources.While those who want tohelpus in destructive ways will similarly not feel that urge as they will see a thriving community that needs no assistance.That is my proposal.”

Caden had never fully understood the phrase “the silence in the room was deafening” until that moment.Chione was frozen over her tablet, her stylus having gone still.Her expression was shielded from him by her long dark tresses.He turned to look over his shoulder at Valerius to glimpse the Black Dragon King’s expression.But while he saw Valerius’ face well enough, there was no expression there to read.No scoffing, but no interest either.

“That is an idea, Jahara,” Valerius finally said with no inflection in his voice.

“You disagree?”She lifted a delicate eyebrow.

“I would never dismiss any of your ideas out of hand.I admit, this one does not seem feasible or attractive to me, but I need to think about it and give you more than a simple gut reaction,” Valerius answered.

Chione’s head lifted and her expression was visible.She was proud of him! Caden was similarly proud, but baffled, by Valerius’ mild response.Did it mean that he thought Jahara’s idea had merit?Was he contemplating a mass exodus of Shifters to Africa or maybe a larger parcel of the world?Or was it simply so unworkable that he didn’t want to offend Jahara by simply laughing?

Jahara gave him a slight bow.“That is all I ask.I will see you both at dinner.And Caden?”

“Yeah?”

“I have to say that whatever I expected of you… well, it is nice to be proven wrong.Perhaps the world has jaded me a little.But you are a breath of fresh air,” she told him.

Caden stood up taller, knowing this was a rare compliment.“I have to admit that you are as wonderful as all the media made you seem.”

She laughed delightedly.“And you’re charming, too.What a combination!”

She then turned and joined Chione by the doorway.Chione had tucked her tablet underneath her right arm and smiled broadly at Jahara.She placed one hand on Jahara’s lower back before escorting the Dragon Queen out of the room. When the doors were closed behind them, Caden slipped from Valerius’ arms and went over and locked them before sagging against the solid wood.

“Can we just hide in here?Like not go out again?Except for food and stuff?Because I really don’t think it's safe out there,” Caden told Valerius with a weak laugh.

Valerius stuffed his hands into his pockets and sauntered over to Caden with an understanding look on his face.“Ah, the burdens of leadership.”

---