3. GO PLAY

GO PLAY

C aden wondered exactly how and where he was going to go in order to shift back to his human form in privacy. Despite his and Iolaire’s seeming nonchalance around Illarion, neither of them was keen on staying any longer in the same space as the Green Dragon Shifter than absolutely necessary.

Illarion’s eyes were hard. His expressions were hard. He was a hard, unyielding person who had no interest in Caden or Iolaire for any good reason. Truthfully, he made the skin between their shoulder blades crawl.

Esme cooed at him, and he smiled down at her. They liked the Blue Dragon and wasn’t that ultra cool that she could actually control water when she was human?!

Can we do that, Iolaire? Can we make ice when we’re in our human form?

Iolaire hooted that it didn’t know. It had never seen that before. While Esme would be the most logical person to ask, they couldn’t, because she couldn’t hear their thoughts. Relaying them through Valerius would not be wise, because both of them were pretty sure Valerius wanted that ability kept secret. But perhaps Valerius or Raziel would know if they could use their gifts in human form.

Speaking of gifts, what else do you have up your sleeve, Iolaire? That thing of changing people from Shifter to human was pretty surprising! Caden asked his mysterious Spirit.

Iolaire hooted and pretended--or so it seemed to Caden--that it didn’t understand his question.

Why won’t you tell me all we can do? Caden pushed.

Iolaire blinked slowly at him, doing that cat-like loving thing. Caden sighed. Iolaire was being coy, though he didn’t know why. Of all the people that should know what they could do, shouldn’t Caden be one of them? But maybe Iolaire didn’t know itself. The sense he had when Iolaire acted up in the air was that it was going by instinct.

Right now, Iolaire was staring at Illarion, who was staring back. It shifted their stance, lifting their wings and settling them back down lightly to make them appear bigger. It was the equivalent of a cat puffing up its tail and fur on its body. Illarion cocked his head to the side and smiled. Iolaire went quite still. Valerius looked between them and saw what was happening. He stepped between Illarion and Iolaire.

Ignore him. He will be handled, Valerius assured Caden and Iolaire.

Right. He’s… he’s leaning over so that I can see him behind you, Caden remarked dryly.

Valerius pinched the top of his nose at this information. Just focus on me then. It seems he cannot help himself.

Even after you nearly crushed his shoulders, he’s still pushing this, Caden realized.

Illarion is the type who does not stop until he hits a wall that will not break for him. He will bash himself against it for a time before he realizes he cannot get through, Valerius explained.

So you’re comparing yourself to a wall? Caden grinned.

Among other things, Valerius answered with a small smile.

I think Iolaire and I should take off if you’re settling everyone in for tonight, Caden told him reluctantly.

Chione was already urging Esme towards the doors. He was sure that Illarion would stay just where he was for all time if Iolaire was there. So the only option was for them to go.

Caden couldn’t quite hide the disappointment that their time together had come to an end. For today, at least. But now, anytime he saw Valerius he would have to be in his Dragon form and that wasn’t as fun. And it wouldn’t be just the two of them either. Iolaire hung their head.

Yes, Valerius sounded just as disappointed as he did. That would be wise. You should return to the pond and take the car back to Reach .

Caden nodded his head. Or rather Iolaire nodded.

Esme, who had been watching the exchanges between them, opened her eyes hugely wide. “Are you communicating telepathically with one another, Valerius?”

Valerius did not answer her. Instead, he put an arm around her shoulders. “We have much to discuss, Esme.”

“Oh, you’re going to be coy, aren’t you? I suppose that just means that I have to wrangle it out of you,” she laughed, seeming happy with it being a mystery.

Valerius smiled at her. He wasn’t going to give away anything. He then called to Caden, Fly well. I will be in contact with you as to when you need to appear next for this circus.

Caden felt a sudden sense of panic. But what about seeing you? Are we going to fly together? I can’t do this without you! He hadn’t meant to let that out, especially so plaintively. I mean, of course, I can. Just--

Caden, I know. We are in this together. As to whether we can meet alone… Valerius considered this. He bit his lower lip. It was clear he wanted to fly with Caden, but didn’t think it was safe to do so. I will be under surveillance constantly by the other Dragon Shifters. They will all want to discover your human identity. But I will find a way to get to you. Right now, I am very grateful that Iolaire is agreeable to remaining in your human form for as long as needed.

Right. Yeah. Caden still felt uneasy and at sea. I just… you know, we just… we just started this thing between us and--and the Dragon thing and--

Caden, all is well. I wish to be with you. More than anything. But we must be careful right now, Valerius’ tone was gentle. Please know that this stricture on seeing you is not something I wish to do. It is what I MUST do to keep you safe.

Okay, okay, I’m just panicking a little bit, Caden admitted, frisking happily at the clear desire on Valerius’ part to be together. And I miss you already.

Valerius’ expression softened even further. As do I. Be careful, Caden. Do not do anything foolish. Go directly to the pond.

What about the press? Iolaire lifted their head towards the helicopter--actually helicopters --that were hovering all around High Reach, filming them.

Valerius frowned. But Chione was already on it.

“I have contacted the media, the helicopters will be moving away,” Chione called to them.

And within a few seconds, the helicopters were flying off in all directions, and soon the skies above Reach were empty but for clouds.

“Oh, how clever you are, dear,” Esme said. “After some naughtiness with the press in London, I’ve had to impose no fly rules while I am in residence.”

“While Valerius has offered to buzz them, I have assured him that a quid pro quo with the media is far more beneficial,” Chione told her.

Illarion let out a cold laugh. “Negotiating with those jackals?!” He shook his head. “Why? Take out a few of their helicopters and see how close they get after that.” Everyone just stared at him coldly. He crossed his arms and muttered, “My way is better.”

Valerius pinched the top of his nose again. He then reached over and caressed Iolaire’s big head. Iolaire cooed at him, which had Illarion jerking towards them. His brows furrowed as he stared at the evident affection between them. A scowl started to form on Illarion’s handsome yet hard face.

“Iolaire, I regret taking my leave of you,” Valerius said as he stroked Iolaire’s head. It felt so good and Iolaire rustled their wings in pleasure. “But we shall see each other soon.”

The Black Dragon King then stepped back. He urged his guests and Chione over to the doors so that Caden could easily lift off from the courtyard.

“The White Dragon is leaving?” Illarion gestured towards him. “But we are only here to see it! And it’s leaving?”

“You have seen Iolaire,” Valerius pointed out. “If that is all you were here for, you may leave now, too.”

“You know what I am here for, Valerius!” Illarion scowled at the Black Dragon King. “And I will not leave without it.”

The Green Dragon Shifter then spun on his heel and joined the jack-booted thugs he had brought with him. The four of them stormed inside. Valerius’ lips flattened.

Remember that we’re ignoring him, Caden reminded Valerius. He’s not worth your breath. And he’s getting nothing he wants out of this visitation with me.

Valerius gave a slight nod. He is dangerous, Caden. Remember that.

Oh, I will.

“Goodbye, dear Iolaire!” Esme called to him with a wave. “I look forward to seeing you soon. Perhaps we can go flying together and see how water and ice can be used to create unique effects.”

Iolaire was eagerly nodding their head to that. It sensed that they could learn much from the Blue Dragon Shifter. If they trusted her.

She seems really willing to teach, Caden agreed. I think… Well, I think she might be trustworthy too.

That surprised him a little. He’d seen Esme on television and the net before. She’d always seemed charming and warm. She seemed that now though there was a slightly harder edge about her that hadn’t been present for the cameras. But Valerius had told him that the other Dragon Shifters hadn’t gotten their Spirits through necessarily noble acts. He wondered how she got hers.

But beyond all of that, he wondered if she wanted to teach him things. He had thought that all the other Dragon Shifters would want to make sure that he didn’t become powerful and threaten them. Not that he could threaten them really. Even with this new gift, he was pretty sure it had limits. He wasn’t sure if it would work all the time, or on how many Dragons it would work on, or for how long if there was more than one that was affected.

Chione waved to him as well. “See you soon, Iolaire!”

Stay safe, Caden , Valerius sent once more. Remember, right back to the pond.

They nodded. It was time to go. Iolaire had just started to flap their wings when Caden suddenly worried they wouldn’t be able to gracefully get up into the air again. He pictured them going up a few feet then falling over or soaring into the side of High Reach or falling into one of the mansions below. But Iolaire had it covered and they were up and safely away from the castle within moments. Valerius’ form became smaller and smaller. Caden felt a wave of depression go through him.

I can’t believe we won’t get to see Valerius and Raziel alone for like… ever, Caden sighed.

Iolaire hooted sadly as well. Though he hadn’t really thought about it, Iolaire must have experienced what he and Valerius had done sexually. Iolaire knew how he felt about Valerius, too. But the Spirit had not been intrusive at all, giving him total privacy. But still, Iolaire was impacted too by this relationship, and he had never asked the Spirit what it thought.

Iolaire, you are okay with me and Valerius… uhm, being together, right?

Iolaire appeared startled. Not startled because he had asked, but startled, because it was completely on board. He got the sense from it that it would never tell him “no” as to what lovers or friends he picked, that Iolaire was utterly pleased. There was some hooting and a little bit of hiding its head beneath a wing in Caden’s mind’s eye--not in real life as they were flying--as it expressed admiration for Raziel.

You like Raziel, huh? That’s awesome! It’s like dating brothers or something. Huh, I’m glad that this is working out.

Iolaire softly hooted again, and made clear that it wondered if he thought that Raziel liked Iolaire back.

I think Raziel is pretty chuffed about you, to be honest. Let there be a Dragon romance!

Iolaire let out a hoot of delight, sending their head back and allowing a puff of frost to be released as they flew over Reach. The White Dragon was taking the long way back to the pond, and Caden didn’t mind that at all. In fact, despite what he’d told Valerius, he didn’t want to go back there just yet. This was the first time he had a chance to just be with Iolaire. Couldn’t he do what he liked for once? Why wasn’t he free to simply fly around like Valerius did and then go back to the pond when he had a mind to? Maybe they should take this opportunity to do something on their own.

Hey, Iolaire, Tilly is at Spirit Park today with her friends. Maybe she’s still there. We could drop down and give her that ride we promised, Caden suggested. No one will know that we aren’t just meeting up randomly with some kids. Tilly won’t give us away.

Caden could almost feel Valerius’ disapproval even though the Black Dragon King did not know what he was doing.

What could possibly go wrong with this? We’re just going to go down for a few minutes!

Iolaire was eager to meet his sister and readily agreed. Nothing would go wrong!

Let those not be famous last words!

They curved to the left and headed towards the large park on the south side of the Mid. Spirit Park was dedicated to the Spirits that transformed humans into Shifters. There was plenty of lawn space where people could play games, picnic or just hang out. There were also large swathes of forest with running-walking paths threading through their leafy vastnesses. Finally, there was a large pond where people swam and fished called Little Lost Lake. Tilly liked to hang out near the swimming pond. He directed Iolaire in that direction.

Let’s see if we can catch sight of her. I hope she’s still there .

And they were in luck. As Iolaire flew them lower to the ground, they caught sight of his sister and her two best friends, Tobey Caudle and Macauley Smythe. His sister was in the center of the group, and immediately clapped her hands together when she saw Iolaire.

Tobey, a gangly 13-year-old with thick Coke-bottle glasses and too long legs, jumped up and down in excitement. Macauley, who was scared of just about everything, froze and curled down rabbit-like. Tilly patted Macauley’s back in encouragement. Iolaire landed about fifty feet from the group. Caden had been so excited to see his sister, that he hadn’t worried about the landing.

Humans can’t fly, but Dragons can. So long as I leave the flying to you, I think we’re safe, right, Iolaire? Caden asked.

Iolaire hooted. Caden would learn, but for now, it was better that Iolaire was in control of this Dragon business.

I wish we could talk to Tilly, though it seems she knows what’s up! Here they come, Caden laughed.

Tilly and Tobey linked their arms through Macauley’s and practically dragged her to him and Iolaire.

“Iolaire!” Tilly called breathlessly as they skidded to a halt about ten feet away.

Good job at not calling me Caden, Tills! Caden thought happily.

Iolaire let out a soft hoot and, immediately, lowered its head so that the teens wouldn’t feel loomed over. And they might get scratches as well. Tilly had absolutely no fear, of course, but she seemed a little awed as she carefully walked towards them.

C’mon, Tilly, it’s just us! Caden thought.

Tilly slowly lifted up a hand to touch Iolaire’s snout. She lightly placed it between Iolaire’s two nostrils. Iolaire let out a heavy frosty breath that had her laughing.

“Iolaire seems to know you, Tilly,” Tobey said as he pushed his glasses up. They constantly slid down his nose.

Macauley--who had both hands up, covering her face, peered out between her fingers--and asked in a shaky voice, “I-i-is i-i-i-t a n-n-nice, D-D-Dragon?”

“The nicest!” Tilly assured them then quickly realizing that this confirmed that she had some kind of special relationship with the White Dragon, she added, “I mean, I think so! You all saw it on TV last night.”

Tobey took a few steps forward. Iolaire settled down in its “round-cat” pose as Caden thought of it, and curled its tail around its body and front claws hidden beneath its body so that it looked more approachable.

“Wow!” Tobey murmured as he carefully stroked Iolaire’s left upper arm. “It’s so warm! I thought it would be cold, but it isn’t.”

Macauley darted forward, touched or more like patted Iolaire once, and ran away again. At least, she had taken her hands from her face.

I wonder if she would be so afraid if she knew it was me, Caden wondered.

“This is so cool!” Tobey remarked as he circled Iolaire and looked at every part of the dragon. “Why do you suppose it landed here though? There’s only the three of us.”

“Because it wanted to meet people, but not be overwhelmed,” Tilly said, though her gaze went out to the wide expanse of lawn. “Though I’m betting it won’t be just us for very long.”

Macauley had approached the tip of Iolaire’s tail. Immediately, the White Dragon started to tease her with it. Macauley watched with an open mouth as the tail behaved like its own creature and tried to tickle her. She squeaked and jumped up and down. She then slowly reached out to pat the tail’s “head” or rather, its tip. It darted up and touched her cheek as if to give her a kiss. She giggled.

Tobey, having finished his inspection, stood with hands on hips and said with evident satisfaction, “This is the best thing ever!”

Tilly laughed and nodded in agreement. She was leaning against Iolaire’s shoulder. Iolaire sent a few puffs of frost into the air so that snowflakes floated down onto her hair and shoulders. She looked like a little fairy princess.

“Can you imagine Valerius coming down and hanging out with us in the park like this?” Tobey asked as he clambered on top of Iolaire’s left forearm and sat on it. Iolaire moved it up and down so it was like a ride. Tobey let out shouts of glee.

“No way!” Tilly shook her head.

Macauley, who now was happily being held up by the tail, looked alarmed again, “Oh, it would be so scary if the Black Dragon came down to us!”

“I think it would be awesome,” Tobey contradicted her.

I wonder if I could convince him to land where people can actually see and touch him, Caden murmured.

Iolaire thought that this was a brilliant idea. He and Raziel could ferry kids on their backs across the lake. They could make fire and ice shows that people would ooh and ahh at. Caden wasn’t so sure that Valerius would be up for that, even if Raziel could be convinced to do so. He didn’t think that even Iolaire’s charms could convince Raziel to do it.

“You just say that now because the Black Dragon isn’t here!” Macauley gulped. “But you’d be scared too if the Black Dragon came down!”

“Well, yeah, a little bit, but it’s not like he couldn’t just as easily kill me from the sky as from the ground,” Tobey pointed out.

That didn’t soothe Macauley predictably. “Kill you? Why would he want to kill you? What have you done?”

“Nothing! I was just kidding!” Tobey rolled his eyes.

Tilly was near Iolaire’s left ear and whispered, “Do I get my chance to fly today?”

Iolaire nodded eagerly even as Caden felt a little trepidation.

How are we going to stop her from falling off? Or suffocating or something? I mean maybe--oh, man! You’ve gotta be kidding me, Caden murmured.

There were people coming up the rise of the grass field. They were people clearly interested in seeing Iolaire. But even if Caden hadn’t seen the angry scowls on their faces, or the bricks or bats and pieces of glass they held, he would have heard the angry calls of “Host” and “Parasite”.

Humans First had found the White Dragon Shifter.