Page 2 of The Dragon Shifters' Enemy
Caden stared down at their clasped hands and felt a rush of happiness. It might not be political to say what he had, but really, it would have been incredibly insulting to Anwar if he’d said he’d given everyone a fair shot andthenchosen the Black Dragon King.Anwar had just shown up after all! Besides, it was true and the truth could never hurt as much as lies in a situation like this. Not that he would ever lie about his feelings for the Black Dragon King.
Valerius rubbed his thumb in an infinity symbol on the back of Caden’s hand. The symbol above.The symbol below. Everything seemed to have double or triple meanings.While he loved that Valerius’ words and actions did so, he wasn’t so sure he wanted the reporters to be anything but upfront.
“So King Illarion’s words claiming you as his mate were…?”Claire let the sentence hang.
Caden realized his lips had pursed as if he was tasting something sour at the mention of the Green Dragon Shifter’s name.He quickly wiped away the expression.Though Chione hadn’t had long to prep him earlier that day, he was pretty sure she had mentioned something about speaking onlyneutrallyabout the other Dragon Shifters.He assumed facial expressions counted as “speaking”.
He wasn’t even supposed to speak highly of any of them.So gushing about Esme or laughing about Tez or grinning about Kaila or enthusing about Jahara wasn’t allowed.Because it might show them favor.And that had worldwide implications.He now wished he had listened harder to what Chione had said.
Realizing that he’d let yet another silence hang, he quickly got out, “The other Dragon Shifters know how Valerius and I… Well, it was obvious from the first that we were...well, you know!Most of them think it’s sweet.”
He could almost hear Rose rolling her eyes at his choice of words.Tilly was staring at him as if he had vomited on the carpet.Dragon Shifters were notsweet.He glanced at Valerius.His mouth kept moving as if he was having an effort to stop from…laughing?
Oh, God, no!
“I mean… not sweet!”Caden practically shouted.“Really, that’s not… they think it's nice!Uhm, not nice, but cool?No, no, not cool.I mean they are cool with it.Not that they have anything to say really about who we love.We do what we want! Valerius and I are independent Dragons here!”
Valerius snorted.Heknewthe Black Dragon King had though he covered it with a cough and a crossing of legs. Caden wanted to die at that moment.
Finally, thankfully, Valerius stepped in and rescued him, “I could have saved all of the other Dragon Shifters on the trip if they had reached out to mebeforeflying here.Despite what appeared to be a rocky start, Caden and I quickly found in each other exactly what we were looking for.”
Caden let out a breath. “Yes, yes,exactly. And, once things calmed down between us, Valerius was really there for me.I saw his caring, protective side.I know it’s hard to imagine--” Everyone laughed.Caden hung his head but grinned himself.“He’s a little growly, but he’s got the biggest heart.”
There were collective “aws” around the room.Not from Lisa and Carlos, but definitely Claire and his sister.
“And you, King Valerius?What did you see in King Caden?”Claire asked.
Valerius pursed his lips.“Trouble.”
Caden let out a burst of laughter, which others joined in on after a moment when they saw it was a joke.Valerius’ broad grin and affectionate raking of fingers through the back of Caden’s hair made Caden want to purr just like Iolaire was as it nestled against Raziel’s larger body.
“In all seriousness, besides Caden’s bravery and selflessness, I saw in himchange,” Valerius continued.His gaze grew thoughtful and distant as if he were remembering something.“He challenges me to see things differently.He makes me feel like the world is new.And that there are so many possibilities.”
Lisa opened her mouth, but Carlos Estanza of morning show fame stepped in with a question first.“So does that mean that King Caden is getting his own territory or staying in yours?And, if he stays, will there be some sort of joint leadership?”
Caden felt he should have been prepared for this question.Hadn’t he been telling his father and his attorneys the answers since the very beginning?But it would be a really big deal to reveal everything they planned right now.Every word would be spliced, diced and dissected. The stability of the world likely hinged on what he said next.
If he scuppered any idea of a territory of his own, that might actually weaken Valerius’ position.After all, they were mates.Maybe heshouldrequest another slice of the world’s pie and add it to Valerius and his own one. But he had no desire to take away anything from the other Dragon Shifters.Yet there was the argument that Illarion was repressing his people so wouldn’t it be good for him to take a part of his?But no, that would lead to war and he felt Chione ready to step in and save him.
“This is my home,” Caden answered, speaking to Valerius and not the reporters.“It’s where I want to stay more than anything.”
“Caden and I have agreed to share territory and rule together,” Valerius stated.It was what Valerius had said before to him, but somehow it felt so momentous.The frantic scribbling of the reporters told him as much.“If Caden wishes to pursue additional territory that will be discussed at a later time.”
Caden let out a breath that he’d been well aware that he was holding.
It was Lisa Yang of theNew York Timeswho raised a pen and said, “But how would the territories be divided?Would every Dragon Shifter be amenable to such a division?And would you put your significant martial might behind it?”
Chionedidstep in then, “Lisa, as King Valerius indicated, this is Dragon Shifter business that will be discussed at alatertime.”When Lisa opened her mouth to object, Chione continued, sweetly, “And it will be revealed to the public at that later time, too.”
Lisa smiled a little tightly, but nodded.
Wow, I didn’t think she’d give up so easily!Caden remarked.
Oh, she hasn’t.Basically, Chione just indicated to her that she’ll get an exclusive on this information when the time is right,Valerius explained and it was so good to hear his mental voice.
Ah, clever Chione.
Always.Besides, Lisa knows that she might not get every question she wants answered, but she will get answers to tough questions we would normally keep quiet on if she plays ball, Valerius said.
