2. CIVILITY

CIVILITY

V alerius flew down to the courtyard outside of his throne room. As tempting as it was to land in Dragon Strike Square to excoriate and humiliate Illarion in front of his people, he resisted, and landed only to an audience of Chione, Simi and Ngoye.

Valerius shifted and landed in what some people called the Superhero pose before gracefully rising to his feet. Immediately, Captain Ngoye was offering him his favorite silk robe embroidered with silver dragons to slip on. He drew the cool silk over his body and tied the belt.

“Thank you, Ngoye,” he said to her.

“My king.” Her eyes went up to the White Dragon. “Did Iolaire just… Well, did I see what I thought I saw?”

“That Iolaire made Illarion transform into his human form? Yes, Ngoye, you did,” Valerius could not hide the satisfaction in his tone.

While ice breath could be useful in a fight, this ability was a true game changer. Caden was so much safer now than he had been before.

“The other Dragons will think twice now before attacking him,” Ngoye said with a nod.

“There will be no more attacks in my skies,” Valerius told her.

Illarion’s actions had been beyond the pale, if predictable. But his just desserts were incredibly satisfying. Ngoye bowed and moved back to her post by the doors to his throne room. Valerius turned to watch the White Dragon slow its descent and then, like a helicopter landing, drop all the way down to the stone flagged courtyard. The wind from the White Dragon’s powerful wings blew Valerius’ hair back and he sheltered his eyes from the dust and leaves that were stirred by the air currents.

Chione stepped over to Valerius. “Are you all right, my king?”

“You cannot possibly believe that I am harmed. I think you are referring to my temper. And my temper is… in check. Besides, how could I not be amused by that?” Valerius pointed to Illarion who was still caught in one of Iolaire’s large clawed hands.

Illarion roared, “Put me down! Put me down now!”

“He reminds me of Fay Wray trapped by King Kong,” Chione giggled.

“You will pay for this, White Dragon!” Illarion howled as he kicked his bare legs.

Both Valerius and Chione were laughing now though there was some hysteria to it. Chione brought up a tablet to show him what the local news were reporting. There were helicopters hovering at a safe distance recording everything, and he could see what they were seeing.

“Illarion will never live this down,” Valerius said, a smile curling the edges of his mouth. “This is almost better than me sending him slamming towards the ground and roasting him.”

Chione agreed as she turned up the volume so that they could hear the anchor breathlessly saying, “... and after the Green Dragon King Illarion’s unexpected--and clearly unauthorized--flight over Reach, the White Dragon emitted a call that appears to have shifted Illarion back into human form! Have you ever heard of a Dragon Shifter having that power, Tom?”

She was asking the anchor that was in the studio while she was filming from Dragon Strike Square.

“No, Carol, this is completely unexpected. But let’s hear from our Dragon Shifter expert, Dr. William Tanaka.” Tom, whose hair looked lacquered, turned to a distinguished looking man in his fifties.

Valerius had spoken to Tanaka once. He gave him no answers to his questions, but the professor of Shifter studies at Harvard, had known more than he’d thought he would about Shifters despite Valerius’ reticence.

Dr. Tanaka answered in his pleasant voice, “As we all are aware, each Dragon Shifter has a main breath ability. In the case of our own Black Dragon King Valerius, fire is his main ability, but as he demonstrated today, he has a powerful air breath ability that dissipated the Green Dragon King Illarion’s main breath ability, which is poison. It is rumored that the Black Dragon King Valerius, for certain, has many more elemental powers than we have ever seen. But as to the White Dragon’s ability to actually force the shift, well this is beyond anything we’ve seen from the Dragons so far.”

Carol broke in, “But, Dr. Tanaka, are we certain that Iolaire truly caused Illarion to shift? Perhaps he simply had an accident and Iolaire caught him.”

Dr. Tanaka gave her a slightly repressive smile. “Dragon Shifters like Illarion are simply too old to have an accident like that. And, I think, it is pretty clear from his current reaction that Illarion is none too pleased with the actions of the newest addition to that Shifter group.”

They showed Illarion’s current behavior of hissing and spitting at Iolaire. Chione turned off the tablet.

“How are you going to deal with this, my king? Illarion has broken so many of the rules, and he attacked you,” Chione said.

“Let him dig his hole deeper. Violence is not the answer for now,” Valerius told her.

She looked surprised and one of her eyebrows rose. “I thought you would be eager to do something physical to him.”

“Oh, I am finding his humiliation far more satisfying. Besides, Iolaire should have its moment of triumph.”

“You will release me!” Illarion screamed.

Caden looked at Valerius for an okay to let the Green Dragon Shifter down. Valerius gave a brief nod. This caused Illarion to squawk even louder about how he would not be treated this way and how dare Valerius and this runt White Dragon do this to him and he’d see them drown in a sea of poison and on and on it went.

Despite his threats and calumnies, Caden set Illarion down gently on the courtyard. The Green Dragon Shifter stumbled back. Valerius rather thought he was stumbling away on purpose so as to get distance between himself and the White Dragon without making it obvious he was running away. Better to be thought clumsy than afraid in Illarion’s mind. Valerius often thought the same thing.

“Illarion does not take well to fear,” Chione murmured. “I do not think he will forgive Iolaire for this.”

“No, likely not, but now at least he knows that Iolaire, though small, is mighty,” Valerius said.

Iolaire made Green Dragon afraid! Raziel laughed. Little White Dragon caused him to crash from the sky!

Valerius was glad to just hear amusement in his Spirit’s voice rather than anger. Raziel was in the best of moods. It was proud of the little White Dragon that could.

But neither Caden nor Iolaire should have had to intervene at all. Illarion should have respected me, but he did not. I will have to fix that.

At that moment, part of Valerius wanted to go over and grab Illarion by the scruff of the neck before threatening him within an inch of his life. But like Caden had said, that would be giving Illarion attention. And any attention--good or bad--would be treated as a victory by the Green Dragon Shifter. So he stood there, arms crossed, looking at Illarion as one might an uninteresting bug. For his part, Illarion was not looking at Valerius.

“Our fears about Iolaire being all but defenseless are seemingly unwarranted,” Chione murmured.

“We do not know the limits of this gift yet,” Valerius murmured.

“What do we know about it?” she asked quietly.

“It lasts a minimum of 24 hours unless Iolaire releases the Shifter and allows them to transform.”

Chione’s eyebrows rose. “Twenty-four hours? Illarion will be a madman before that if he is not allowed to shift.”

“True.” Valerius smiled. It was not a nice smile. “But he did break the rules of civility so I am not inclined to ask Iolaire to release him early.”

The two of them watched as the Green Dragon Shifter stared daggers at Iolaire, his threats having dried up for some reason. Maybe simply being released had stopped the flow of words. Iolaire merely cleaned its wings and moved the tip of its tail up and down, rather cat-like, with seeming no concern at all for Illarion’s ill temper. Illarion scowled harder.

Your nonchalance is annoying Illarion, Caden , Valerius chuckled.

I know. He’s really mad. Did you see him hopping up and down before? That was funny, Caden answered.

Yes, well, you have made an enemy of him, I think. You must be very careful, Valerius cautioned. He didn’t want Caden to get cocky.

I guess I have. Though really it’s bullshit for him to be mad at me considering everything. He was the one to go on television and say I was his mate! Not to mention he was endangering people! Caden sounded affronted to have gained an enemy for “unfair” reasons.

Valerius shook his head. Illarion is not logical. He is a bully. He is used to being the strongest. My existence is nearly intolerable to him because I am stronger than him. Yours now… he did not expect you to be able to best him.

Guess he doesn’t want me as a mate anymore! Thank God! Caden sounded relieved.

Valerius knew that contrary to Caden’s belief, Illarion would likely want Caden more than before. He would want to possess and lord over Iolaire. That was likely the only way he saw getting his face back.

“Why don’t you shift?” Illarion suddenly shouted at Iolaire. “Let us see you in the flesh! Let us see how tough you are in your human form!”

“He did not just say that!” Chione let out a disbelieving laugh. “What does he think he’s going to do? Have a fistfight with the White Dragon Shifter?”

Valerius’ hands curled into fists. “He will never touch Caden.”

Iolaire continued with its cleaning, ignoring Illarion entirely.

“We’re not going to see Iolaire in its human flesh, dear Illarion! Iolaire’s human side is going to remain a mystery!” Esme’s voice drifted out of the double doors. The Claw came to attention as she strode out wearing an icy blue dress that flowed around her like mist.

“Esme!” Chione called gaily and the woman greeted each other with air kisses.

“It is so good to see you, Chione! It’s been too long!” Esme smiled genuinely at the Sphinx Shifter.

“It has. You’ve come at the perfect time though.” Chione looked over at Iolaire.

“I had to stick my head out of the sun roof in the vehicle taking me here from the airport to get in on the action.” Esme’s eyes slid to Illarion. He had taken the short cut by shifting. “But I did see the battle. You were magnificent as always, Valerius. Raziel is so gorgeous. Those midnight black scales against the peerless blue sky.” Esme kissed Valerius’ cheek.

I am magnificent , Raziel agreed. His Spirit had always liked Esme, which was rare, as Raziel normally hated most people.

“Raziel extends its greetings to you and Scylla,” Valerius told her.

“Scylla so wanted to fly up there and get involved in things!” Esme’s eyes narrowed at Illarion.

He had violated all of their rules, not just Valerius’. To treat one Dragon with a lack of respect was to treat them all that way. The delicate balance was kept by each Dragon Shifter acting carefully around the other. Illarion had violated all of that.

“It was good that you convinced Scylla not to,” Chione said. “Iolaire had things well in hand all on its own.”

“Oh, yes, I saw that! Everyone saw that,” Esme tittered.

Esme gave Illarion a similar hard smile as Valerius had. The Green Dragon Shifter ignored her. It was really impressive that Illarion could pretend to be alone on this courtyard with Iolaire. Other than Esme’s opening line, none of them had actually directly spoken to him. So there was that.

Esme turned fully to Iolaire, who had stopped cleaning to observe her almost shyly. She took a few steps towards the White Dragon. Her expression was surprisingly tender. “Aren’t you beautiful! Oh, my such a lovely one. I am Esme, the Blue Dragon. My Spirit’s name is Scylla.”

Esme is a friend, Valerius assured Caden. Though she looks like a stylish grandmother, she has the most strategic mind of all of us.

She seems nice! Caden exclaimed, and Valerius got an impression of long lost grandparents from Caden’s past that he missed dearly.

He wanted to warn Caden that Esme was more like Marban than she was like those fuzzy memories of white-haired older people who brought presents and smiles. But Iolaire was already slowly lowering its head so that its eyes were even with hers. Iolaire then slowly blinked, cat-like once more. Esme reached out to touch Iolaire.

“May I, dear Iolaire?” she asked.

Iolaire pushed its nose into her hand. She let out a delighted laugh and was soon scratching and embracing the massive head. She pulled back to gaze at Iolaire with affection. A huff of frost exited Iolaire’s mouth. The White Dragon looked apologetic, but Esme tsked.

“I control water, dear one. We are aligned. You see?”

She moved her hand through the last tendrils of drifting fog. They curled around her fingers and then transformed into water droplets that formed a small pool in her hand. Iolaire licked the water up experimentally, which had her laughing delightedly again. She patted Iolaire’s nose.

“Valerius, Iolaire is quite the charmer!” Esme’s pale cheeks were pink with pleasure. Her sea blue eyes looked quite brilliantly happy.

At that moment, Valerius realized that she was glad for this new addition to their kind. He had thought she would be more concerned about the politics of it, and the potential disruption of the power balance. It was she who had suggested the splitting of the planet into territories. But, at this time, she seemed simply happy to embrace a new Spirit in the realm.

“Iolaire is at that.” Valerius strode towards them, and immediately, Iolaire pressed its snout against Valerius’ chest. Hot breath gusted over him, nearly blowing his robe off.

Chione came over as well. She got a lick from Iolaire in greeting. That left just Simi and Ngoye standing at attention by the doors of the throne room--where they were supposed to be--and Illarion, standing awkwardly a dozen feet away. The Green Dragon Shifter was no longer scowling, well, no more than he naturally did. He looked thoughtful, which had Valerius feeling uneasy. Illarion had definitely not given up on getting Iolaire. Seeing Valerius observing him, Illarion met his gaze evenly. He gave a small smile to Valerius.

“Well, this visit has not been boring yet,” Illarion said as he approached.

Iolaire’s head rose abruptly as it turned to regard Illarion out of cool, blue eyes.

Illarion hesitated in mid-step. He finally held up his hands. “I have no ill will towards you.”

“That is hardly what you were saying earlier,” Chione remarked dryly.

Illarion let out a few chuckles that didn’t sound authentic. “I was… startled. I am not used to being manhandled.”

This coincided with Valerius’ own beliefs. Illarion was off his game. He had revealed too much in that temper tantrum of his.

But he expected to come here and what? Valerius wondered and narrowed his eyes. He has gone too long unchecked. No one can challenge him in his own territory, but here, he has had a small Dragon take him down to nothing.

“It was quite a bit more than that, Illarion.” Esme’s expression was mild, but there was a sharpness to her tone.

Illarion’s expression grew dark for a moment, but then with a visible effort, he smoothed it into a smile with another chuckle and shrug. “I had no idea of our newest addition’s powers.” His gaze hardened for a moment. “But next time I won’t be caught off guard.”

Iolaire regarded him with a speculative look. The White Dragon Spirit was new, but clearly it wasn’t a fool.

“But, I would say let us put this in the past. I am willing to forgive, if you are,” Illarion said to Iolaire.

What the Hell? He’s willing to forgive?! He’s the one in the wrong! Caden cried, clearly furious over Illarion’s behavior. Not to mention he needs to apologize to YOU! Not me!

Iolaire turned its head away from Illarion and pointedly looked at Valerius. Illarion grimaced, that darkness returning to his expression, but again, he made an effort to be apologetic. He spread his arms wide and lowered his head.

“I see that I am to ask for your forgiveness, Valerius.” Illarion waited for him to say something in return. Valerius was silent for long moments, which caused the Green Dragon Shifter to glance up. “I could not resist flying around your beautiful city.”

He bit you! Caden grumbled. That had nothing to do with sightseeing!

I know, Caden. His lies are transparent and pathetic, Valerius answered.

Green Dragon pathetic, Raziel growled. His Spirit was watchful. It wanted to make sure that Illarion made no move towards Iolaire. Raziel was feeling just as protective as he was. We should crush him.

For once, Valerius wasn’t quick to disagree. These actions were tantamount to spitting in his face. He thought, too, of the abuses that the President of the United States and Prime Minister of Canada had brought to his attention. Illarion was flaunting all the rules. If he did nothing it might be worse than acting.

“I wonder, Illarion, what your reaction would have been if Valerius had come to Moscow and buzzed those minarets of yours without your permission?” Esme asked almost sweetly.

Illarion’s jaw worked, but then he shrugged. “I think it would give my people quite the show! They normally only get to see other Dragons on television or the net.”

“I am surprised that they know there are other Dragons out there. After all, you do limit your people’s access to the internet and every television station is state run,” Chione said in the same tone as Esme.

Instead of taking offense, Illarion acted like the two women were simply silly as he said, “I think information is overrated. Most people cannot understand their own limited existences let alone a whole world of them. I make things simpler for my people in this time of information overload. They don’t need to unplug and disconnect , because their lives are much more in the moment.”

“Very little information comes out of your territory as well, Illarion,” Chione pointed out. “It seems like you do not want anyone to know what you are doing there.”

Illarion’s smile was hard. “Both I and my people want our privacy. Not all of us want our actions splashed over the news! That first battle between you and Iolaire was quite the sensation, Valerius! Those poor citizens of yours that got in the way. They made such a fuss about peasants dying. That is all what the free press is good for!”

Valerius gritted his jaw. “Every one of my people is precious to me.”

“Then it must have pained you greatly to have crushed so many of them.” Illarion grinned.

Valerius did not answer. His temper was starting to fray dangerously again.

Don’t listen to him! Caden sounded disgusted. He’s not worth the time! He hasn’t even noticed that you didn’t accept his apology!

He will, Valerius said. He had a plan. He would put it in place.

“I do not understand why you will not shift,” Illarion was saying to Iolaire. “Are you vain? Worried that your human form is not as pretty?”

Oh, please! This guy is a jackass! Caden groused.

“The White Dragon Shifter--like you and your people, Illarion--values their privacy. None of you will be meeting them in their human form,” Valerius remarked dryly.

Iolaire’s tail swished happily at his words. He felt Caden’s relief at them as well. Illarion looked like he was sucking on a lemon.

“But this is nonsense! How are we to court them if they are unable to speak?” Illarion cried. He then thrust a finger in Valerius’ face. “How do we know this isn’t your doing? That you haven’t threatened Iolaire to remain in Dragon form so that you have the advantage over us?”

The urge to simply bite that finger off was huge in Valerius’ mind, but he stayed quite still, not even blinking. “I assure you that this is Iolaire’s decision. And I am surprised that you worry about Iolaire speaking to you. Considering you just like making pronouncements about it being your mate without a word from it.”

Illarion put his hands on his hips and grinned. “One needs to be aggressive. Stand back and someone might take your place.”

Or you just come off as some creepy, controlling asshat, Caden remarked.

Valerius smiled. Again, it wasn’t a nice smile. “I assure you, Illarion, that based upon what I know of Iolaire, you could crow every moment of every day and it wouldn’t make much of a difference.”

That should be my line, but thanks, since I can’t say it! Caden told him.

“We shall see.” Illarion appeared completely unrepentant.

Esme was back to patting Iolaire’s snout, and Illarion moved closer to get in on that action. Iolaire let out an angry snort of frost. Esme turned it into a thin glass wall between Illarion and Iolaire.

“Do not press your luck, Illarion,” Esme said dryly. “Iolaire does not want you near.”

“Does this mean you intend to throw your hat into the ring, Esme, and not just be an observer as you usually are? That you are here to court the White Dragon, too?” The Russian accent made the words even more biting.

Esme narrowed her eyes at him. “Dear boy, rushing in where angels fear to tread with an arrogant smile on your face might be your way of interacting with the world, but it has never been mine. And my way has served me well throughout the millennia.”

As if to prove her point that her way was better, she scratched under Iolaire’s chin. Iolaire’s eyelids shut in pleasure.

“I just thought that your friendship here with Valerius would preclude such actions by you,” Illarion said.

Esme continued to scratch Iolaire. “You see things as always in a binary way, Illarion. Mine or yours. Yes or no. Enemy or ally. All or nothing. It’s so… interesting.”

Illarion’s smile faded a watt. He knew she was insulting him, but couldn’t quite figure out how, because, like she had said, he thought of things in those terms and couldn’t see what was wrong with it.

“My way has served me well, too,” Illarion told her stiffly.

“Hmmm,” she answered noncommittally as she continued to scratch Iolaire’s chin. “If you say so. You have not asked about your ability to shift, Illarion. I, for one, would be most curious about when you’ll be able to do that again.”

Illarion’s jaw worked for a moment. “I imagine… that it will wear off soon.”

Chione let out a soft huff of breath that almost sounded like a laugh. Illarion’s head jerked towards her.

“If you have something to say then say it!” Illarion snapped at her.

“Do not speak to Chione in that manner,” Valerius’ voice was cold. “Apologize.”

“She…” Illarion stopped himself. He rolled his lips together. “I… I apologize for my tone.”

“Your apology is accepted, Illarion. I want you to have a pleasant stay in Valerius’ territory,” Chione said gracefully. “Despite how things have started out. Perhaps not having the ability to shift for some period of time would be a good thing.”

Alarm flared in Illarion’s eyes. They darted all around. He was realizing that his time stuck in his human form was going to be longer than he’d thought. That was good to see.

“Are you letting all the Dragons come here, Valerius?” Illarion asked as he watched the scratching.

“I let you come here, didn’t I?” Valerius pointed out.

Illarion’s eyes narrowed. “I would have come regardless.”

There was such tension for a moment that the air seemed to solidify with it. Iolaire let out a low hoot to remind him that violence was not the answer. Simi and Ngoye were alert at the doors, ready to come charging in. Chione’s hands flexed together in front of her chest as her gaze skipped between Valerius and Illarion. Esme concentrated on Iolaire, but he felt her waiting for his reaction. He was going to give it.

We need to crush him, Raziel repeated from earlier.

Yes, I think we do.

At that moment, there was a commotion at the doors to the throne room. Simi and Ngoye were holding back three large men, who from their clothing and grim-faced demeanor, were a part of Illarion’s entourage.

“You remain here until allowed forward,” Simi growled at a bear of a man that stood two heads taller than him. Not that the Snake Shifter was intimidated. He looked about ready to strike.

“I am here to serve my master,” the bear-man snarled in a Russian accented voice. He was holding a robe for Illarion.

“My king has not said you can come out here,” Simi hissed back.

So everybody that serves Illarion is a bastard, Caden said. Good to know.

Valerius gave a mirthless smile then he strode over to the bear-man. He pulled the robe out of his hands. The bear-man was so startled by his sudden appearance that all he did was open his mouth, but nothing came out.

“I will take this. Wait here. I would have words with your master before he retires to his quarters,” Valerius told him. He then went over and took Illarion’s arm firmly by one hand and dragged the Green Dragon Shifter over away from everyone. “Come, Illarion, I would speak with you.”

Illarion’s eyes went a sulfurous yellow at being manhandled yet again, but in their human forms, Valerius was stronger too.

What are you doing, Valerius? Caden sounded uneasy.

Setting the ground rules, he answered simply.

When they were apart from the others with a semblance of privacy, Valerius released Illarion’s arm and held up his robe for him to put on. Illarion’s brow furrowed. He was clearly wondering why Valerius was offering to help him into his robe. It was also clear he suspected a trap.

Valerius tilted his head to the side and cocked an eyebrow. Slowly, Illarion turned and allowed Valerius to help him on with the robe. Just as Illarion had slipped it over both shoulders, Valerius’ hands bore down on those same shoulders. Illarion let out a soft gasp at the pain as Valerius squeezed .

Valerius’ voice was low, “Illarion, let me make two things clear. Your insults and disrespect towards me are not forgiven, and you will pay for them in due time.”

“I--”

“Silence!” He squeezed harder on those shoulders. He heard Illarion’s teeth grinding together to keep back the pained sounds that wanted to escape him. “But here is the most important part for that little pea brain of yours to understand. Are you listening?”

“You are getting dangerously close to--”

“Are you listening ?” Valerius could have truly crushed some of Illarion’s bones if he squeezed any harder.

Illarion grunted and nodded.

Valerius continued, “If you do anything--if you even attempt to do anything--to harm Iolaire, I promise that I will rip your wings off and feed them to you. Is that understood?”

There was a half second of hesitation, but then Illarion nodded sharply again as Valerius started to squeeze even harder. He let Illarion go. The Green Dragon Shifter let out an involuntary gasp, and reached up to touch his shoulders, but stopped himself.

Valerius met Illarion’s shadowed gaze, and with another of those not-nice smiles said, “Now, let’s get you settled somewhere out of the way.”