Page 37 of The White Dragon's Dilemma

“But we haven’t heard from him--”

“He offers only prisons and death,” Tez said as he too got up and took Kaila’s hand.“Besides, he will only offer what costs him nothing and gains him everything.

The two of them joined Mei in leaving.Esme sighed.

“I suppose I will be eating in my room again tonight.I am certain, you two, would rather be alone,” Esme said to them as she got up as well and headed out after kissing both of them on the cheeks.

Jahara finished her wine and stood.“Do not be too worried, Caden.This was never going to be easy.We just have to keep trying.”

“You really want all of them in your territory, Jahara?”Valerius asked.

She smiled.“I may not like them all.I may not trust them.But I want all of them tolive.What would you give for that, Valerius?”

And with that, she left.Chione and Marban were left.

“Would you like to have dinner with me, my dear?”Marban asked her.

“Yes, I would.Thankfully, there is plenty of wine.”Chione poured herself a large glass.

“Despite what Esme says, I think Caden and I would like to join you,” Valerius said as he pulled out a chair for Caden.

“There is plenty of food, too,” Chione said with a faint smile.

And they had eaten and drunk under the light of the moon and the helix without talking further about it.Both Marban and Chione had likely sensed that both Caden and Valerius did not wish to.But really, Caden had still been absorbing it himself.

“Lunch will happen,” Caden said, snapping back to the moment.“I’m sure of it.I mean even though Illarion said he was leaving, he hasn’t.According to the staff, he’s not even packed.So that’s good, right?”

“I was actually thinking it would bebetterif he did leave,” Valerius said dryly.

Caden kissed his cheek.“I know, but we need everybody. I mean we need to try to have everybody in on this.”

“We will try,” Chione said with a faint smile.

At that moment, there was the sound of two running sets of feet and the throne room burst open with Rose and Tilly standing there, cheeks red with excitement and both rather breathless.

“C’mon, Caden, we’ve gotta go!”Tilly wheezed.

“What?Uhm, Till, you need to stay here--”

“No, I’m going to welcome Landry out of the joint.Is that what prison is called?Anyways, I’m totally going and you owe me, because our parents are coming to talk to youright nowand I delayed them,” Tilly said in no uncertain terms.

Rose nodded with a pained smile.“They look a little concerned about you.”

Caden scrambled from Valerius’ arms.The Black Dragon King did not keep him though he looked rather pained.

“Go on, Caden.Escape,” Valerius told him.“I will handle your parents.”

“But I…” Caden flapped his arms.“If Landry weren’t getting out like in twenty minutes I’d stay, but--”

“Who are you kidding?Go!I may shift and fly out of here myself.”Valerius laughed and gently pushed Caden towards Tilly and Rose.

“Okay.Thanks!”Caden kissed him before running down to his sister and friend.“Is Wally here yet?”

“Oh, yeah, he’s got the Bug ready and waiting to go.”Rose flashed a grin.

The three of them raced out of High Reach and into the courtyard where Wally was indeed there in his rickety car, the Bug.What little hair he had was sticking up on end as all the windows were down.Caden wondered if he simply hadn’t been able to get them all up.

“C’mon, kids, we can’t keep Landry waiting!”Wally called and waved one small, pudgy arm at them.

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