Page 57 of The Dragon Shifters' Enemy
Caden grinned at him as the Black Dragon King brought Caden into his arms.He rested his cheek on Valerius’ shoulder and saw Landry’s face in the wall.
“Do you really think she’s gone?”Caden asked.
Valerius drew in a deep breath.“I do not know.But, even if it were possible, I wonder about the cost.”
Caden hugged him.“Yeah, I wonder about that, too.”
“Let’s fly back to High Reach.”
They linked their fingers together and slowly left the cavern.Caden gave Landry one last look.He wondered if he would ever see her again.
Relative
Valerius and Caden flew wingtip to wingtip from the Gray Mountains back to High Reach.Their minds were even closer together, thoughts and emotions flitting back and forth between one another.It felt so natural, soright, and yet it had not been something he would have even considered a month ago.Caden had changed everything.
He thought of that moment when all of the Dragons had been flying in formation around the Earth.That sense that they could have a connection if only he had reached out.But back then he and Raziel had resented every interaction with the Shifters as he had with the humans.Now, he wondered, would the world be safer, would Caden be happier, if the Dragons were connected?
Caden wasn’t exactly happy now.He was still sorting out his feelings from Landry’s loss, not able to fully believe she was gone forever.For his part, Valerius did not want to squash Caden’s hope, but he was always of the mind that keeping expectations low meant rarely being disappointed.
How are you doing?Caden asked suddenly.I’ve been so wrapped up in how I feel that I didn’t ask you!
I am fine, Caden,Valerius said automatically. Caden’s silence had him grimacing.He could well imagine the young man lifting a disbelieving eyebrow at him so he quickly amended his answer,I am worried.I do not know how to protect us from this enemy.My strength may be our biggest weakness.
We’ll figure something out,Caden said, but it was evident he didn’t quite believe it.
Perhaps Illarion will think of something,Valerius said as they swooped low over some golden fields and then flapped their powerful wings to head up into the clouds again.
Do you think I was wrong to get between Illarion and Tez?Caden asked.
No, I wasn’t completely kidding about Illarion being helpful, Valerius answered.Mephous is powerful.Perhaps its poisonous gas can put the Behemoth asleep.
Illarion is a terrible bully!And what he’s doing to his people is horrible!But sometimes I feel bad for him,Caden admitted.
Do you?
That sounds stupid now that I’ve said it out loud,Caden laughed.
No, not stupid, but interesting.Why do you feel this way?
Because it feels like… he can be redeemed?Caden made that sound more like a question than a statement.
He comes from a different time, Caden, when life was a lot cheaper and rulers truly had full control of their people and could do whatever they wanted with them, no matter how cruel,Valerius explained.
But you came from times like that, too.Esme did as well!So did plenty of the others actually,Caden argued.And you all managed to change.Why not Illarion?
Because he remained in places that reflected his upbringing for a lot longer,Valerius told him.In a way, he isolated himself to people that reminded him of his youth, when he was human.He will tell you that it is in every Russian’s blood to suffer.That they are a brooding, brilliant, but also brutal people. Whether that is true or not, it is how he defines himself.
There are just these moments when someone else flashes through,Caden persisted.
Valerius glanced over at the White Dragon.Iolaire’s sleek form glittered under the rising moon.The White Dragon’s blue eyes turned towards him, noticing his admiration.They closed slowly at him. It was the classic cat slow-blink. Valerius grinned.Raziel let out an appreciative fireball, which Iolaire met with a “smoke ring” of ice.Caden and Iolaire were as beautiful inside as out.
Iolaire is checking Raziel out, too,Caden told him with a hum of happiness.This was good.Caden hadn’t been happy since Celestine had returned.
And what does Iolaire think?Valerius asked even as Raziel did a barrel-roll.
Another laugh from Caden,It’s quite impressed! It thinks that Raziel is darkness personified!It is the power of the earth and the devastation of flames!
So Raziel is not the only poet between the two of them!
