12. REVEAL

REVEAL

V alerius waited on the plaza outside his throne room for Caden--or rather, Iolaire--to arrive. He wore his customary black, but this time his shirt was silk and his pants and boots were leather. He wore a single ruby on a gold chain on his neck. The ruby was huge and plainly cut. He normally did not have any interest in such baubles, but this one was simple, beautiful and expressed what it needed to. He was king of kings and queens.

His hair stirred in the breeze, but he resisted the urge to shut his eyes. Caden would be there soon. Raziel was intent on seeing Iolaire the moment it appeared on the horizon. But both were running late.

“Wally and I went to see Landry,” Caden had explained over the phone earlier.

Valerius had heard the roar of the motor of one of the SUVs that Caden had been driving to the pond in, to quickly stuff food into his mouth from the picnic basket that Valerius had left for him there, before shifting and flying fast back to High Reach.

“I do not know if that was…” Valerius stopped. What word should he use here? What word would get across his feelings on the matter without hurting Caden’s? He grimaced. There was no word. “Wise? Was that wise for you or for her?”

Caden let out a brittle laugh. “You’ll be happy to know that Landry agrees with you that it wasn’t.”

Valerius grimaced again. He had hurt Caden. “It is not that I do not understand your affection for her, but--”

“She betrayed me. She did some foolish, bad things. She could have gotten people killed, including my family if Jasper had really gone ahead with his threat to bomb my house.” Caden went silent. “But I just can’t see her as anyone other than Landry, my friend, the person who was willing to go to jail for me to protect my secret from you.”

“Yes, but in her pantheon of needs, there are things in there above you. That is not a criticism of her.” Though Valerius truly thought it was. From what he could tell Landry’s brothers had earned their fates, whatever grim ones awaited them, and her parents had supported the speciest ideology that had permeated their home, poisoning everything. “But it is simply a fact. She has recognized her limits and is warning you off.”

There was a long silence on the line, and Valerius suddenly imagined Caden’s face trailed with tears and eyes bleak, and he tightened his hold on the phone.

“I can’t save everybody, right? I can’t fix everything? Just saying it makes me realize how arrogant it sounds and not… good at all,” Caden’s voice was hoarse .

Not arrogant. Naive. Innocent. Idealistic. Earnest.

“It is hard when one is given so much power, only to find it is not enough,” Valerius remarked softly.

It was a lesson he’d had to learn often enough. It was the feeling he had even now as the other Dragon Shifters moved about within his own castle. He had so much power, but would it be enough to keep Caden safe?

The boy is strong. Iolaire is wise. All will be well, Raziel remarked.

I am surprised you did not put something in there about us assuring that by ripping every other Dragon’s wings off. Valerius couldn’t help the grin that crossed his lips.

Raziel, who was standing up, and watching keenly through his eyes stated simply, That goes without saying.

“Our new brother or sister is late,” Mei said from behind him.

Her step was light. He turned around to see her. Like him, she was dressed far more finely than the afternoon where she had played “queen of the people”. Now she looked like an empress in a silk kimono-esque dress of reds, oranges and golds with her hair drawn up in an elaborate bun where two long sharp pins were stuck.

“Iolaire will be here.” He turned back to look at the horizon.

There was a faint rustle of silk and waft of jasmine perfume as she joined him at the railing. This meant she had tried to hide her approach before. Valerius gritted his teeth as his annoyance at her games flowed through him again.

“Why are you here, Mei?” Valerius asked her.

He did not turn to look down at her. He kept his eyes on the darkening sky. But he saw her look at him.

“To meet Iolaire, of course,” she answered.

“But why ? To seek out a--a mate as Illarion does, or an ally as Esme does, or someone to showboat to like Tez does?”

“Showboat?” Mei tittered, raising one delicate hand to hide her mouth as she did so. “I suppose Tez does do that. He enjoys the compliments and attention. He is a very vain creature, but he tries to do good as well.”

“You are not vain, Mei. Not about your looks. You use them as a weapon and a shield, but that is as much as you care about them,” Valerius remarked. “No, you want respect. And if someone does not respect you, they learn to regret it, no matter if you appear to be a sweet, innocent girl.”

Her eyelashes fluttered across her expertly made up cheeks. Her skin was as perfect as a doll’s. Chione was beautiful, but in a wild, natural way. She did dress up and act like an adult. But she never cared if she got a spot on her clothes or ice cream on her chin. She was beautiful no matter what. Mei’s beauty was one carefully crafted. He could never imagine her allowing a stray hair to be out of place unless she intended it to be.

“That is quite the compliment from you,” she answered him.

He grunted. “I am a blunt instrument, Mei.” He turned towards her. His greater height and breadth were just part of what set them apart. “I say only what I mean.”

Her dark-eyed gaze was upon him, studying him minutely, but then she was shaking her head. “You expect people not to believe you. Even when you are being very blunt.”

“So I ask again, Mei. Why are you here?”

“I need to know what Iolaire intends. We have been eight for so long. Now we are nine,” she answered.

“And you do not believe that Iolaire does not want their slice of the pie? Even though they have been clear that they wish to remain in my territory and simply be left alone?” His right eyebrow lifted. She gave a shrug as if to say, who wouldn’t? These had been his thoughts as well. “If they were you or I or any of our other brethren, I would agree with you, but Iolaire has no such designs.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You are telling the truth of what you believe. But how can you be so sure?”

“By knowing them.”

She shook her head. “This may be what they want now , but later?” She let out a sharp laugh and crossed her arms over her chest. “You think things will not change when they realize that you will never give them even an inch to breathe let alone rule anything?”

He scowled. “Have you not heard of my Shifter Council?”

Her eyebrows rose and she let out a laugh. “A ruse! It will have no real power!”

“Marban is not one to be snowed for long,” Valerius pointed out.

“Marban, Marban, Marban.” Her voice thrilled with laughter and disdain. “His grasp exceeds his reach.”

Valerius felt a touch of unease. What experience did Mei have with Marban? It sounded as if she had a secret. He would find out what it was.

“All right, let us say that Iolaire chaffs under my leadership, what can you offer? Part of your territory?” His dismissive tone showed just how likely it would be that she offered that.

“No, but what I propose will definitely lead to all of us retaining our territory intact,” she said, touching her carefully plaited hair.

“What?”

Her smile, which had been small, but there the whole time they spoke, grew, bloomed. “A true partnership. Something that you would never give. That none of the others would either.”

Whenever she speaks, she lies, Raziel stated with a disgusted puff of smoke. What partnership has she ever given that has not ended in death? Caden and Iolaire will see right through her as we do.

But still, even with his own and Raziel’s certainty that Caden could not be won over by this woman, his skin suddenly felt hot and tight and he wanted to rip through it and her. He loomed over her. His shadow, the Black Dragon’s shadow, grew out from his own.

His voice was soft, almost like a lover’s murmur as he said, “Like the one you offered the mayor’s son all that time ago?” She was too much in control of herself at all times to react to that fully, but she did freeze and her eyes widened just for a moment. “Iolaire knows all about that. Your reputation precedes you.”

At that moment, his eyes caught sight of Iolaire’s graceful form flying towards them. He pulled away from her and turned his back. Iolaire and Caden were all that mattered. She did not.

The other Dragon Shifters flowed out of the throne room in their finery, too. Esme was in a deep royal blue sleeveless dress with a light blue sparkly wrap. Tez was in one of his handmade ensembles that combined modern clothing with native flair. Feathers stuck up from his hair and there was a beaded fringe coming from his shirt and boots. Illarion was dressed in blood red with a long militaristic coat with a fur collar.

Iolaire circled High Reach twice. It was a magnificent display of the white, pearlescent scales against the dark blue sky. But Valerius knew the flying was because Caden was unsure of how to land.

Could you tell the others to go back inside or something? Caden begged. I might smush them! The plaza is too small!

Valerius couldn’t help the chuckle he let out. Caden, Raziel is four times Iolaire’s size and we land here quite easily.

Don’t lord your perfect flying skills over me! Caden cried. You won’t think the plaza is big enough when Iolaire’s butt lands on Mei’s head!

I actually think it is the perfect size if you do that. Valerius’ lips twitched.

Caden actually laughed, too. Yeah, true, but our goal is for me to make a good impression, right?

I am not so sure of that. Considering both Mei and Illarion seem intent on partnering with you, Valerius replied dryly as he watched Caden make yet a third gliding loop around High Reach. I think you should show them just how much trouble you really are so they won’t be so eager.

Mei wants to be my mate?! Caden’s wings drooped and he nearly crashed into one of the towers.

Valerius winced. Esme murmured something encouraging and lifted her hands into the air as if to keep Iolaire aloft.

She wants a partnership, Valerius growled.

A partnership?! Maybe she means like we’d be even partners ruling her territory--

Caden! Do not be foolish! Even as Valerius’ heart did a foolish flip-flop at the fact that Caden would even see anything positive about Mei’s proposal.

Valerius, I would never choose her over you and Raziel, Caden told him sounding absurdly fond. Remember? I want to stay here… with you.

Suddenly, Iolaire’s movements were much more graceful as if Caden had finally found his groove with this flying thing.

Let Iolaire land, Raziel urged, speaking for the first time. You are still a youngling with your first wings .

Oh, I would! But Iolaire wants ME to do it! Caden protested. Iolaire, listen to Raziel! Raziel has got the right idea here. There was silence and then Caden said, Damn! Iolaire still wants me to try!

Valerius knew then that he had to give Caden confidence to do this. That is all right. You can do this, Caden. Why don’t you come around again and… and hover.

Okay, right, I can do that.

Esme came to his side. “Is Iolaire allowing its human counterpart to, ah, land?”

Valerius nodded. “I think it best we stay at the edges of the plaza. All of you, move here!”

The last barked order had everyone quickly moving out of the way.

“What is wrong with Iolaire?” Illarion scowled.

“Nothing. Our dear little baby Dragon is making one of their first landings.” Esme pressed her hands together in front of her chest, eyes fixed on Iolaire.

Illarion let out a nasty laugh. “What is this? Kiddie school?”

Tez looked at him as if he were an ugly insect. “They just got their Spirit, Illarion. I am certain at this same stage you were tripping over your own claws.”

Illarion’s face purpled. “You--”

“Hush! They need quiet!” Mei held up a hand and both Illarion and Tez surprisingly quieted.

Caden had made his way around and was hovering awkwardly about 100-feet above the plaza.

The ground looks really far down, Valerius! Caden mumbled.

You are safe. You are fine, Valerius soothed. Now, I want you to slowly start decreasing the number of flaps you’re making. You will lower slowly.

Caden stopped flapping and he nearly dropped like a stone, but quickly started flapping double-time again.

I don’t think I can do this! I really can’t! Caden gasped.

You can, Valerius put all of his will behind those words. Then he stepped out in the middle of the plaza right before where Caden would land if he landed perfectly.

What are you doing? Are you insane? Caden demanded.

Raziel snorted. It was completely amused and entranced by all of this.

I trust you, Valerius told him .

You shouldn’t! Caden squawked. Valerius, I’m new to this and--

I trust you in this, because you would do anything not to hurt me, Valerius answered simply and stood there.

Valerius then lifted his hands into the air, and feeling rather like an aircraft controller, started to guide Caden down. There were sharper dips in Caden’s altitude than were ideal, but slowly, but surely Caden landed. When his clawed feet touched the ground, Caden let out a huge sigh and immediately pressed his head against Valerius’ front. Valerius petted him gently. Esme started clapping. Tez gave a chant of appreciation. Illarion crossed his arms over his chest and looked unimpressed. Mei just had a small smile on her lips.

Phew! I made it! Caden gasped.

You did! I knew you could, Caden, Valerius assured him.

You were right that I didn’t want to crush you so that’s why it worked.

Caden let out great gusts of icy breath from his nostrils in relief, which coated Valerius’ clothes with a sparkling layer of frost. Raziel allowed their fires to build and the frost dissipated faster than it had come. His Spirit wanted them to shift and curl their neck around Iolaire as they breathed fire and ice.

“What are you saying to one another?” Tez asked as he came over, eager to pet Iolaire once more.

“What do you mean? They are saying nothing!” But Illarion looked interested in spite of himself.

“Can you hear Iolaire’s thoughts, Valerius?” Esme asked as she, too, drifted nearer to Iolaire.

“Yes, and they can hear mine.” Valerius continued to pet Caden’s head.

“That is a rare gift. It must be Iolaire’s gift,” Mei said quietly as she approached Caden. “You would have shown the ability with the rest of us if it was yours, Valerius.”

Or maybe we’re just meant to be together! Caden lifted his head and gave her a narrow-eyed look.

Mei stopped in mid-stride as she read right that Iolaire was unhappy with what she had suggested. She lifted her hands as if to show that she was the helpless girl that she had portrayed herself to be to the mayor’s son so long ago.

“What else can you do, Iolaire?” Mei asked softly as she took one step closer then another. “I know about your ice breath. We all saw that in technicolor.”

Her smile grew slightly larger as she put in that dig against Valerius. He couldn’t quite blame her, considering the ones he’d had at her expense. And yet, she had come here and annoyed him first. He had the right to be testy. She was just being rude.

“Iolaire can make it so we cannot shift,” Tez offered with a sort of acidic helpfulness. He wasn’t fond of Mei, believing that she enslaved her people. “Ask Illarion here. He can tell you exactly what that power is like. Instead of erectile dysfunction, it’s Shifter dysfunction.”

Mei stopped walking. Her eyes slid towards Tez and Illarion to see if he was telling the truth. Clearly, she worried about that power being used on her. Valerius thought it might drive her far crazier than Illarion to not be in control of the Shift.

Iolaire says the power should wear off naturally in 24 hours or so, Caden admitted.

A whole day? He was certainly taught his lesson, Valerius assured him.

He looks like he wants to give Tez a lesson, Caden remarked.

Valerius glanced over at the Green Dragon Shifter. Illarion’s poisonous gaze was locked on Tez. “You’d best lock your door tonight, peasant, not that it will save you from me--”

“Enough! There will be no violence unless I am the one committing it against your thick skulls!” Valerius shouted.

Caden was beetling in on himself. It was amazing a Dragon could look so small. Even Iolaire. Valerius petted him some more.

It is all right, Caden. Do not pay attention to them. Pay attention to me, Valerius urged.

Caden’s bright blue eyes focused on him and Caden gently lowered his head so once again his nose was pressed against Valerius’ front. Caden still regarded the other Dragon Shifters suspiciously, even Esme. Caden seemed like a kitten hiding behind his father’s arms. Valerius leaned down and kissed Caden’s head. He had not thought how this action would be perceived until Caden’s slightly hysterical laughter filled his mind

Uhm, Valerius, you just kissed me , Caden stated.

I… hmmmm, yes, I did. Valerius slowly straightened.

Both he and Caden glanced over at the others. Luckily, Chione was not there. She would have laughed out loud. As it was, Esme hummed to herself and swished the skirt of her dress in an effort to stop from guffawing. Tez was beaming as if a proud papa. Illarion’s expression was stony. Mei was impossible to read. Valerius turned away from all of them.

I think the cat is sort of out of the bag that we like one another now unless you do this with all of them too. Nose kisses, Caden snorted.

Valerius’ lips twitched. Didn’t you know that nose kisses are common between Dragon Shifters?

Really? Okay then. Give Illarion a nose kiss, Caden challenged.

I would rather not. Valerius patted Caden’s head some more.

“I would request time alone with Iolaire,” Mei stated suddenly.

“If she gets time alone with Iolaire, then I want to as well!” Tez cried. “It would be completely unfair otherwise!”

“It is clear from your behavior, Valerius, that you have been stacking the deck in your favor.” Illarion glowered. “We must all be allowed to make our case and have our time with Iolaire.”

The only one that didn’t ask for this “alone time” was Esme, but she gave Valerius a look that screamed, “You did this to yourself, young man!”

You do not have to do anything you do not want to, Caden, Valerius assured him, realizing that he had indeed made a mistake. But it had to come out sooner or later. He did not believe that the others would not have pushed this issue to be with Iolaire even if he had remained apparently neutral.

“I will not leave until my request is granted!” Illarion almost stamped his foot at this.

I think I’ll do it. Just to get them to go, Caden sighed. His wings slumped slightly.

This is my fault. You do not--

That’s not true! Okay… it’s sort of true, but they weren’t going to settle for these meet and greets anyways. We both know that, Caden assured him.

But before Valerius could say anything further, either to Caden, or to the assembled Dragon Shifters, Caden’s head was suddenly up and he resembled more a pointer dog than a Dragon as he was staring at something intently through the throne room’s open doors. Everyone looked, though all Valerius saw was the heel of someone who had evidently passed through the doorway.

Caden? What is--

It’s her! Caden cried.

Who? Valerus asked.

Caden quivered, about to lunge through the too small doorway. The girl who set the bomb!