Page 30 of The White Dragon's Dilemma

Valerius moved wet curls from his forehead with his left hand.“Caden, there is another reason that I wouldn’t accept Jahara’s suggestion, even if I felt it was inevitable.”

Caden had to swallow deeply to clear his throat enough to speak.“What reason is that?”

“You.You would be sosadif we retreated.If we didn’t havehope,” Valerius murmured as he drew his hand down the side of Caden’s cheek.

Caden’s eyes closed and his tears of joy were washed down his cheeks as well as the shower water.They were hidden in the rush of other waters. Finally, he opened his eyes and he curled one hand behind Valerius’ head, and gazed upon the Black Dragon King’s face.

“I trust you to make the best decisions.You shouldn’t worry aboutme,” Caden told him.

“But that is how I know I am making the right decision, Caden.If it pleases you then I am doing what is hopeful, what is good and what is brave.You are my North Star in this.”Valerius put a finger to Caden’s lips to silence his protestations to the contrary.“I value what you have to say, but in this, I must insist on my right to determination.”

“But, Valerius, Rose says how innocent I am and she’s right!I--”

“You don’t see yourself clearly.And I know that Rose believes in you as well as I do.She just fears you will be hurt by the world,” Valerius interrupted.“Caden, you werechosen.It was not luck or chance or a mistake that Iolaire joined with you.”

Caden blinked.Tears were stinging his eyes again even as emotions of a different sort clogged his throat.“I-I’m trying to believe that. Even as Iolaire tells me that we were meant to be together, I can’t help but wonder if there wouldn’t have been someone better--”

“No, you areexactlythe right person for these difficult times.You have no idea how you’ve changed things for everyone--for me and Raziel--in such a short time.”Valerius swallowed and the emotions he felt were written on his face.Love and pain and a desire so keen to convince Caden of what he felt that it could have cut through anything.He refocused on Caden’s face.“Whatever else you believe, I need you to believe this.”

“What?”Caden’s voice was barely above a whisper.

Valerius leaned in.Their lips were but a few millimeters from one another’s.He was breathing Valerius’ breath.They were sharing the very air.Fire and ice.Ice and fire.

“You are--and have always been--the ninth Dragon Shifter,” Valerius told him.“We were just waiting for you to introduce yourself.

ONE

“You still do not know your worth,” Valerius whispered to Caden.His voice was filled with concern.

Iolaire chose well,Raziel muttered.Why does the boy doubt himself?

Caden does not see himself as we and Iolaire do, Raziel.He has no idea of the power he wields outside of being a Dragon Shifter,Valerius explained.

Were we ever so unsure?Raziel wondered.

It was a surprising thing for his very confident Spirit to ask.

We were perhaps never wise enough to doubt our worthiness,Valerius admitted.

I am very wise.Raziel flapped its massive wings.

Of course.

I have always been wise.You… you are learning,his Spirit preened.

Undoubtedly.

But just like Iolaire, I chose well too,Raziel said, its voice soft, but there.

Thank you, old friend.

“Everything feels so fragile now,” Caden breathed.“It’s not felt this way since… Well, I don’t know.But so much is at stake.I just can’t help but think someone else would have helped you more than me.”

“No one could have, Caden.You reached me.I will have to somehow help you see how important you are to me,” Valerius said.

Caden gave him a rather watery smile.“You already have. Thank you.For everything.”

“There’s nothing to thank me for.If anyone should be thanking anyone, it’s me who should be thanking you,” Valerius told him as he drew the backs of his fingers down the tender column of Caden’s throat.

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