Page 35 of The White Dragon's Dilemma

Valerius’ eyes narrowed further.“Really?”

“Yeah, they’ll never guess it is Raziel until we tell them,” Caden said.

“Yes, you will have to tell them,” Chione said, hands now on her hips.“Will that come before or after Caden announces himself?Will you do it at the same time?Should we wait at least until Anwar arrives and has some chance to meet Caden?”

“We’re sorry.”Caden grimaced.“We know a lot is going on and this…” He pointed to the two cooing Dragons.“Wasn’t what we intended.At least, I knew how Iolaire felt, but I wasn’t sure about Raziel--”

“I was.”Valerius rubbed his temple.“Raziel’s fear should have told me everything I needed to know.”

“Fear?Raziel doesn’t seem afraid!I can’t believe Raziel is afraid of anything!”Caden defended the Black Dragon stoutly.

“Oh, Raziel was.It knew that a change was coming.Not just for the world, but for us…” Valerius gazed at his Spirit in the mirror almost tenderly.“Even a good change--thebestchange--is still alarming to my mighty Raziel.”

Caden felt himself smiling broadly.He and Iolaire were thebestchange! It was strange.He should have felt uneasy that he and Valerius were still hesitating to tell what had happened between Iolaire and Raziel the night before.But he wasn’t.Instead, he just felt a deep certainty that everything--between him and Valerius in any case--would work itself out in time. Still it was a little bit stunning.

“Neither of you has to apologize.”Chione sighed.“It’s rather thrilling to be honest.But, I admit, that adding the glowing helix in the sky has not made my job easier. But it cannot be helped.Indeed, it should not be.It should be celebrated.”

“It is pretty spectacular,” Caden said.

Caden came up the steps to the throne where Valerius was sitting and got in his lap without any shame in front of Chione.To his delight, Valerius accommodated him without thought.He was immediately tucking Caden against him with practiced ease as if they did this all the time.

“We will have to get you your own throne up here,” Valerius murmured, but he didn’t sound in any hurry to stop Caden from getting into his lap.

Caden grinned.“Yeah, but I don’t mind this seat.In fact, it’s the best in the house.”

Chione giggled and covered her mouth with one hand in that girlish way of hers.All three of them looked into the mirror where Raziel and Iolaire were still gazing at one another lovingly.It was Iolaire’s turn to preen obviously because it was sending up gouts of ice into the air that turned into snowflakes and fell beautifully around both Dragons. Raziel looked on approvingly and opened its maw to eat some of the snow.

“They have just accepted everything between them without question, without worry, without thought to timing,” Valerius murmured as he carded his hands through Caden’s hair.

“They see each other as the only important thing.”Caden cuddled back against Valerius’ powerful chest. He said to Chione, “They didn’t exactly tell us what they planned last night.That they were going to move in together or… or whatever they’re doing.”

“Are you upset that it has?”Chione asked, but then said, “Forget I asked that--”

“I’m not,” Caden quickly stated. He looked over at Valerius.“Are you?”

“No,” Valerius answered, and there was no hesitation which had any small doubts Caden had, falling away.“But Illarion will not be the only one to feel slighted by this.Anwar will have a field day of being upset.”

“You know he would do that in any case,” Chione reminded him then pinked.

“You have always acted as if you like him!”Valerius laughed.

“I do!I mean… Ido, but King Anwar can be a little trying.”She suddenly smiled.“But here I am worried about Anwar when…” She gestured to the two Dragons who were playfully nipping at one another.“When there is something so much more important.”

Valerius chuckled and kissed the top of Caden’s head.“Your parents… have you spoken to them about this?”

“I’ve sort of been avoiding them,” Caden muttered and pressed closer to Valerius as he imagined his parents’ reactions to the news reports.They would know that the red part of the helix meant Valerius not Mei.He was sure of it.

“Oh, good, your father will surely be storming in here any moment now,” Valerius laughed weakly.

“Probably,” Caden admitted and gave him puppy dog eyes.“I promise I’ll talk to themafterI go meet Landry at the prison. If you could just avoid my father until then, you’ll be safe.”

Valerius let out a rumbling laugh.“I highly doubt that. I would come with you to greet Landry, but--”

“That’s too much publicity.I know.Don’t worry,” Caden told him and kissed his stubbled jaw.“I’m betting that the last thing she wants is publicity. Rose and Wally should be here in a few minutes and then we’re taking off.”

Chione was nibbling on her lower lip and a slightly worried expression was on her face.“Caden…”

“Yeah?”He looked at her expectantly.

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