Page 28 of The Dragon Shifters’ Enemy (Dragon’s Reign #7)

Relative

V alerius 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, so right , 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!

Valerius laughed this time. He felt quite chuffed on Raziel’s behalf. And it was rather amusing--yet heart-warming too--to see Raziel being loved by more than just him.

How can everyone not love Raziel? The Black Dragon is awesome! Caden stated loyally, which had Raziel preening and doing loops one after another. Iolaire did larger loops around the black body, barely brushing by which was a feat of acrobatics by both of them.

We did not seek to be loved, Raziel spoke. We sought to be feared.

To keep order? Caden asked.

Love is hard when one rules, and sometimes it is not always possible, Raziel answered.

Do you think that’s true of Mephous and Illarion, Raziel? Caden asked.

They have “little dragon” syndrome , Raziel answered.

This had Caden choking on laughter. Is that like Napoleon or short man syndrome?

Yes, they do not feel they are big enough and, therefore, they end up looking small as they try to act bigger than they are, Raziel responded.

Caden was thoughtful at this. They are always comparing themselves to you and Valerius then?

Yes, and it is a vain thing to do, Raziel remarked with a spout of fire. They should be content with what they have. But, instead, they make themselves sick with envy by what they do not.

Valerius was impressed by the fact that Raziel wasn’t doing its normal growl about Mephous and pulling off its wings. It seemed to be meeting Caden on a more conciliatory level, though that wouldn’t last if the Green Dragon tried anything.

Yeah, like I said, there are flashes there of someone likable in Illarion and Mephous, Caden murmured.

It would be easier if people were just evil through and through, wouldn’t it? Valerius finally said.

Yeah, I guess it would. But, don’t worry, I’m not looking for any good in the Behemoth! Caden assured him. I know that it's too dangerous not to fight.

We may need your way of thinking outside the box, Caden. I am not certain how we defeat this thing without losing too many people, Valerius reminded him.

At that moment, they could see the lights of Reach.

Both Dragons put their heads down and their wings pumped powerfully as they sighted home.

They circled the city once, both scanning the ground below them to see that everything was all right.

Reach appeared peaceful and that was something.

They went towards their tower chambers. Valerius let Caden go in first. With no trouble, Caden shifted and dropped into the classic superhero pose before clearing out of the way for Valerius to do the same.

The fires were already lit in their rooms. Valerius smelled meat and vegetables cooking over the fire. He frowned. With Chione still back in the Gray Mountains, who would be in their rooms cooking ?

Who is inside? Caden asked, eyebrows lifting.

I do not know. Let us see, Valerius growled.

Who would dare invade our lair?! Raziel snarled even as Iolaire blinked steadily and stood next to the much bigger Black Dragon.

He strode ahead of Caden. Not that he didn’t think Caden could hold his own against any adversary, but the young man was still shy about his nakedness.

Valerius, of course, had no such compunctions.

His hands curled into fists and he prepared to breathe fire at whoever had dared come into their rooms. It took him two seconds to come into view of the fire pit only to see Marban using tongs to turn onions and peppers on the grill.

There was a sizzling sound as more meat was added to the fire and hot fat crisped.

The smell was maddeningly good as it always was.

“Marban?!” Valerius sounded rather strangled.

“Ah, my dear King Valerius and King Caden! How good to have you back. I am preparing a little snack for you as flying is quite the calorie burning activity,” Marban said.

Raziel and Iolaire’s attention was fully on the meat. They suddenly had no problem with this “lair invader” so long as it made them snacks.

“That looks great, Marban,” Caden said as he scooched behind a chair and grabbed the blanket off the back of it, before pulling it around his waist and tucking in the tail end of it.

“You came here to cook for us?” Valerius asked.

“I came because I sensed you might need me,” Marban stated. “Cooking is simply my passion.”

“Hidden depths, Marban, you have hidden depths,” Caden said as he snatched a piece of steak that was still smoking hot.

He dipped it into a little pile of mineral salt and popped it into his mouth.

“Oh, god, I want more. But I should go talk to Rose and Wally. I have to tell them…” Caden’s expression went bleak for a moment. “I have to tell them about Landry.”

Valerius could almost see Marban’s ears perking up, but the Swarm Shifter continued to cook. He clearly wanted to know about Landry, but he was keenly observing both of them and learning just as much.

“I will make sure that King Valerius does not eat everything before you get back,” Marban said.

“You will try ,” Valerius said.

Valerius filched something off the grill directly. He, of course, was fireproof. He dipped the beef in some soy-wasabi sauce. There was a burn from the wasabi paired beautifully with the umami of the soy.

“It’s okay. I should see my parents too and maybe have a meal with them,” Caden said with a nod.

“There is always a refrigerator full of meat for you and Iolaire.” Valerius kissed his forehead. “Do you want me with you when you go speak to Wally and Rose?”

“No, it’s okay. You should stay here with Marban. Fill him in. Maybe his people will have seen some of the walls,” Caden suggested.

Again, Marban’s “ears” perked up but he turned peppers and onions so they did not burn.

Valerius nodded. Caden needed to do this on his own. He leaned down and kissed the young man’s forehead.

“I’ll bring you down a robe. Don’t want any of the sensitive bits getting burned in the fire,” Caden told him.