Page 27 of The Dragon Shifters' Enemy
Caden could just nod.His throat felt too tight to get words out.Was Landry on their side?Would she survive?What if she was poisoned by the Behemoth too?
“Let’s go finish our dinner,” Valerius suggested.“Perhaps tomorrow we will have more ideas.”
And they had gone back into the formal dining room.His parents, Tilly, Rose and Wally looked almost guilty and Caden wondered if they hadn’t eavesdropped through a bee or a rat, but both Rose and Wally were dressed.As was Marban.He was looking speculatively at the ham as if wondering if he could fit the whole thing in his mouth.
While they’d still spoken of Behemoth, the Faith, Humans First and that first interview with Caden and his family, nothing concrete had been determined.So he and Valerius had curled down in bed last night.They hadn’t made love, just cuddled and held onto one another, but that had been perfect.But now, Caden really wanted to feel Valerius’ lips on his and those big arms around his body.
He raced down the steps from platform to platform to the bottom, leaping off the bottom platform and landing in a superhero pose.Caden grinned.He reallylovedbeing a Shifter.
He turned towards the open balcony doors.The sunlight blinded him for a moment.He held up a hand to shield his eyes and then he saw the darker shape that was sitting cross legged on the balcony.Caden moved outside, blinking, until his eyes cleared and got used to the bright daylight.
Valerius was dressed only in a black silk robe that was loosely tied at his waist.His hands were palms up and his eyes were closed.His long black hair blew back with the sweet wind that gushed over them.Caden just stared at him for long moments, drinking in his beauty and this unexpected peacefulness.
“Join me,” Valerius said without opening his eyes.
Caden lowered himself down to the stone floor by Valerius and crossed his legs.The wind was cool, but the sun was hot.The combination was pleasant.He sat there quietly for a moment before starting to bop his left leg up and down.
“What are you doing?”Caden asked.
“I was restless.I did not wish to wake you.”Valerius reached over--again without opening his eyes--and stilled Caden’s leg.
“So you’re meditating?”Caden was surprised that Valerius of all people would meditate.The Black Dragon King did not seem to relish peacefulness.
A smile crossed Valerius’ lips.“Tryingto meditate may be the operative word with you speaking.”
“Oh, sorry.”
Valerius laughed.“I can already picture you all dejected even without looking.”Valerius opened his eyes and did look.“And there you are.Looking adorable.”
“I didn’t mean to disturb you,” Caden said.“I just woke up and you were gone and I missed you.”
Valerius squeezed his knee.“I have missed you, too. Part of me wanted to stay in bed just to be by your side but sleep is important for a new Shifter.”
“Being with you is more important.Especially if I can make you feel better,” Caden said.He would be exhausted if Valerius would be happy.
Valerius nodded.“But I must not be selfish. Though…”
“Though?”Caden’s eyebrows lifted in curiosity.
“Though I would like to be today,” Valerius told him.
“How so?”
The Black Dragon King sighed.“There will be many wanting our attention today from the other Dragon Shifters to our Councillors to your family. But I just want you.You alone.”
“That sounds incredible actually.”Caden’s heart beat a little harder at the thought of being alone with Valerius.“Why don’t we do it?”
“We should be planning what to do with the Behemoth.”Valerius’ lips curled at the name.“Your family will need help adjusting to the castle.Your Councillors will havereports.”
That word “reports” definitely caused a sour look to pass over the Black Dragon King’s face. Caden couldn’t help but grin.
“Well, since you have warned me of how deleterious reports are, I think I should avoid them at all costs.So want to leave the castle?”Caden asked.
Valerius blinked.“Leave the castle?Hmmm.We could go to the pond.”
Though Caden was very fond of that pond, he said, “What about a little farther?I bet that you and Raziel have some favorite places.I would love to see one of them.Iolaire would, too.”
Valerius’ lips parted.“Yes, yes, that would be good.”Then he grimaced.“But we should not.The others--”
