Page 63 of The White Dragon's Dilemma
Caden swallowed again, but then gave the press a tiny smile and a head duck to acknowledge everyone.Valerius led Caden to the empty couch, allowing Caden to sit down first--nearest to his family--while Valerius sat on the opposite side of him.
They faced off against three reporters.All were among Chione’s favorites though not the one she had chosen to be interviewed by at Iolaire’s first appearance.She must have done something to annoy his very even-keeled Councillor.He was sure if he had scoured the reporting of that evening like she had he would understand why.
But the three that were there were Carlos Estanza.He was in his mid-fifties with black hair cropped close to his head and the appropriate “wise” frost streaks at his temples.Chione had once referred to Carlos as having “dark chocolate eyes”.They just looked brown to Valerius.Carlos flashed both of them a smile, showing a snippet of dazzling white teeth. He was the anchor for a popular morning news program that mixed puff news pieces with “serious questions of the day” that supposedly affected “regular folks”.
The next was Lisa Yang.She was known for her serious, hard-hitting pieces.If one wanted a complex idea explained to the public by someone who could make people understand and empathize, Lisa was the best reporter.She understood nuance and didn’t do both sides or dumb anything down.She worked at theNew York Times.
The final reporter couldn’t have been further from the other two in terms of age, background and the viewers she reached, and she reached millions of them every single day. She was a popular YouTube news aggregator of sorts.She would report on news topics that she thought needed more attention to her vastly younger audience than the other two.Her name was Claire Redkins.She was only twenty-two and, unlike her counterparts, she did not wear a suit, but instead dressed similarly to Caden in terms of expensive yet casual clothes.She beamed at them both.
Caden leaned over to his parents and asked, “You guys okay?”
“Fine,” Grant answered in that one word, clipped way of his that Caden had guessed he would use. Valerius wouldn’t have been surprised if he had added, “your honor” at the end of it despite Caden not being a judge and this not being court.
Ellen let out a burbling laugh that was too loud and sharp.She immediately pressed a hand over her lips and mumbled behind it, “Oh, yes, we’re fine, dear.”
“Till?”Caden had an almost desperate plea in his voice for his sister to behave normally.
But Tilly just smiled weakly and nodded.All of her self-confidence had melted away under the press’ lights.Valerius could very well understand all of their reactions.Caden leaned back against the couch.Valerius squeezed his hand again.He would have to release it at some point otherwise people might think he was controlling Caden in some way.But at the same time, they were mates, damnit!And Caden needed emotional support.
Carlos, who was likely used to making guests feel comfortable as he introduced them to his early morning audience of families, said, “Well, it looks like we’re all here! I, for one, want to express how honored I am to be sitting here and talking to you, Caden.I can call you Caden, can’t I?”
“What else would you--ah, yes, of course you can.I’m just… a normal person,” Caden said after a moment, but then hearing himself added with a self-deprecating laugh that played well with all three reporters, “I mean IknowI am the ninth Dragon Shifter.But I’m still… me.”
“And we hope to learn: whoyouare, Caden,” Lisa said in her cultured voice. “That’s what tonight is all about.At least, the beginning of knowing you.”
Claire broke in, “I bet this is so strange to you.Becoming a Shifter is one thing.Rare as that is, but you became aDragonShifter and that’s like therarestof the rare.”
Caden regarded her steadily.“It wouldn’t matter what kind of Shifter Iolaire turned me into.Iolaire is the rarest of the rare.”
“But you are a Dragon Shifter,” Lisa stated, resting her elbows on her knees as she leaned towards them.“And today, you had to exercise some of the power and responsibility being one entails.It’s not the first time either.You became the White Dragon Shifter because you saved people from another bomb, did you not?”
Chione stepped forward.“Lisa, as you know what occurred today during King Anwar’s arrival is still under investigation as is the original bombing.King Caden cannot address these questions.”
Lisa’s expression did not change.She just stared intently at Caden. Valerius was not sure what he expected Caden to do, but what he did just proved that he was extraordinary.
“Anyone would have done that,” Caden said with all serious truthfulness.“I know that most people think they wouldn’t step up in a crisis, that they wouldn’t have the presence of mind or bravery to act. But it’s not true.”
Lisa’s intentness increased.“You think that most people would have sacrificed themselves to save others?”
Caden nodded.“I do.There’sdepthsin everyone that they don’t even know.When push comes to shove, when they have their moment, they will rise to greatness.”
Lisa turned to Valerius and asked, “I can see that King Caden believes that, but what about you, King Valerius?Do you believe that anyone would have done as he did?”
Valerius’ smile was small.“No, but the fact that Cadenthinksthey would is part of what makes him special.And his belief in others often can inspire them to reach those lofty heights he already gives them credit for reaching.”
“You’re both cynics!”Caden laughed as he playfully elbowed Valerius.
He looked at his mate affectionately.“I look forward to you proving me wrong.”
Caden grinned and the tenseness that had filled the young man drained away.This was good.Caden was acting himself.He was losing the tension.The world would see what he did in Caden.They would love him.
“So I have to ask the question that is on everyone’s mind!”Claire said brightly.
“About--about the bombings?”Caden frowned, his smile dimming.
“Oh, no, that’s really important, but…” Claire gave him a sheepish smile, “but everyonereallywants to know how you and Valerius went from fighting in Reach’s skies to beingmates.”
