Page 19 of The White Dragon's Dilemma

“We can’t accept charity, Caden!”His mother protested.

Caden met his father’s eyes.“While I might not have my own territory, I do have territory.This is my home.”

His father lifted an eyebrow, and then after a moment, he smiled and nodded.“I see.”

There was a soft knock on the doors to the tower suite. Caden could hear the Claw guards speaking to someone.There was a pause and then the sound of booted feet came towards them. Caden looked up to see Captain Ngoye standing there.Though she was far above guard door duty, she had assigned herself to his family’s tower suite.

“King Caden,” she said and that had his family freezing.Caden hid his own surprise at his title

“Yes, Captain?”Caden asked.

“A member of Queen Jahara’s Matriarchs is at the door.It seems that the Queen has requested a meeting with you.What shall I say?”Captain Ngoye asked.

Caden considered this request.He had no reason to deny it.In fact, he should get to know his fellow Dragon Shifters as well as he could and seek more allies among them.

“Tell her,” Caden said, “that I would be pleased to meet with Queen Jahara.”

CENTRAL TERRITORY

It was the youngest of the Matriarchs who was at his family’s door.The one that was closest to his sister’s age.Her hands were gripped behind her and she was swinging back and forth as if nervous and needing to burn off some of the excess energy that filled her.Her patterned red dress flared out with every movement.She was also scrunching her toes against the bottom of her sandals.

He wondered if she was a little cold in High Reach where despite the days being warm, the interior of the castle was always cool.Maybe that was why she moved rather than nervousness.After all, she was a Matriarch, no matter how young, and he was… well, him.

“Hello,” Caden said with a smile. “I heard you were looking for me.”

Her large dark eyes were fixed upon his face. That smile had her swaying pausing for a moment.“Hello.Yes, the Queen wishes to meet with you, King Caden.”

Again with the “King Caden”. The swaying started again but then jerked to a halt as she did a half curtsey to him, which had him feeling both touched and uncomfortable at the same time.

“You don’t need to do that,” he told her with a wave of his hand.

Her already large eyes widened and there was another half sway.“Why not?”

He wasn’t expecting such a direct question. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out at first.Why not? Good question.Because he wasn’t worthy of being curtseyed to by anyone?Well, that was arguable.

Iolaire was worthy to be sure.Maybe simply being one of nine beings who ruled the world was reason enough for curtseying? That could be.It was the honor of the post instead of the person.He could accept that.So maybe he should get used to it.Maybe he would.Tomorrow.Or the next day.Or the day after that.But not right now.

“Because it makes me feel uncomfortable,” he confessed to her with a one shouldered shrug.“I’d rather you just called me Caden.”

She considered this, not swaying, and then nodded.“Okay, Caden. I’m Dahab.”

“That’s a pretty name,” he said with another smile.

She nodded, reminding him of Tilly in that moment so strongly despite her being a Matriarch.“It means gold.”

His eyebrows rose. “Very cool.”

Another nod.“Will you come?”

“Yes, of course.Lead the way.”Caden closed the door behind him and followed after her down the hallway.“I have a sister about your age.”

“Yes!”Dahab’s big eyes twinkled with delight.“I have researched everything about you and your family.”

Caden blinked.“Everything?And ah…beforeorafteryou got here?”

How many people knew he was the White Dragon Shifter before he announced himself? Was there anyone who didn’t know?He was starting to wonder if his identity had ever been a secret.At all.Toanyonebut maybe the person on the street. But it did make sense that someone like Queen Jaharawouldknow who he was.Like Rose had said there were countless cellphones and the cameras in the square that day.Some of those had undoubtedly caught him in the act, so to speak.

But Dahab did not confirm when she had found out about him, instead she proved that Queen Jaharacouldhave known within minutes of him becoming the Ninth Dragon Shifter. She listed off the ages of his parents, their resumes, when they met, when they married, what they did in their free time, and more.Then, with incredible zeal, she spoke about Tilly.About where his sister went to school, her friends, hobbies, grades, favorite music and more.Caden blinked a lot.

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