Page 21 of The White Dragon's Dilemma

There was more delighted laughter.

“They needmanythings!”The Matriarch in her twenties roared, but then she sobered, “Has not King Valerius been more active these few days you have joined with your Spirit than the last decade?”

“He doesn’t really like people,” Caden began. More trilling laughter that had Caden blushing and holding up a hand. “That came out wrong, though it is true.”Bright smiles flashed at him.“The fuller truth is that he really wants people to govern themselves like they used to.”

That had the Matriarchs falling quiet. Only the crackle and pop of the fire broke the silence.

Finally, the shrewd Matriarch with the electronic eyewear said, “But things arenotas they used to be.They will never be how they used to be. Acting like they are will not make it so.”

Caden chewed his inner cheek.“I know that Queen Jahara has instituted many--andneeded--changes to her territory, are you sure that every Dragon should do the same?”

“You think the other Dragons are not as wise as our great Queen?For if that is what you mean, I am well in agreement!”The Matriarch who had called him pretty remarked with another belly laugh.

He flashed a smile before becoming serious himself again.“I admire Queen Jahara hugely.I’ve read and watched so much about her.The things that she’s doing are amazing and show a mind that is looking far into the future. I can honestly say that I’m not like that.I have ideas.Some big.Some small.And I want to do things, to make things better for everyone, but what if I’m wrong?I’m no Queen Jahara.”

The sewing Matriarch gave him a smile and a nod.“Maybe we should addwiseto kind and brave to describe King Caden.”

There were smiles all around and not in mirth.

“Was this a test?”He asked as he straightened up and looked at them all.

“We’re trying to take the measure of you,” the oldest Matriarch answered.“Is that a test?Or is that just revealing the truth about you?”

“So there are no right or wrong answers then?”Caden asked.

“There is only you, King Caden.Who you are.What you believe.What you wish to do.What youwilldo,” the Matriarch with the half-moon glasses answered.

“I’ve just decided to accept this.”Caden gestured to himself as if he were indicating something physical that had changed about him, though he still looked as he always had except for the eyeshine.“I’ve been pretending that nothing has changed since I joined with my Spirit.”

The Matriarchs listened intently.

“I know how foolish that sounds and was.”Caden let out a dry cough laugh.“But when I think about what being a Dragon Shifter means… I understand why I didn’t want to accept it.Iolaire is wonderful.Valerius is…” He rubbed his chin as a ridiculous smile crossed his face, “well, I would never change meeting him.Without all of this happening, he and I wouldn’t… Well, we wouldn’t have met.”

He stared past the Matriarchs to the dark balcony and wondered if Jahara was there, listening. He decided that it didn’t matter.Whatever he passed onto the Matriarchs would make its way to her.

“Dahab tells me that Queen Jahara sees worth in the voice of youth and inexperience,” Caden continued, which earned a grin from the youngest Matriarch.“That would definitely describe myself compared to the other Dragons.I’m just not sure I agree with her about the worth thing though.”

“Is that why you resisted your father’s efforts to get you your own territory? That you feared your inexperience meant you were not yet worthy to rule?”It was Jahara who asked those questions.

She had been out on the balcony.She drifted into view, mist encircling her like a cloak that glittered under the moonlight.The suspicion that had clouded her exquisite features was reduced, maybe even gone.

Caden stood up and faced her.“I would be worried about the person in my position who would think otherwise. I’m not being falsely humble.I’m seriously worried.”

That had Dahab racing over to him, and much like Tilly would have done, she embraced him.“Do not doubt yourself.You bring light and change.”

When they broke apart, Jahara was regarding him speculatively, more so than before.

“Dahab is wise beyond her years.Some say that she has a sort of Second Sight,” Jahara murmured then shook herself and extended a hand towards him.“Come.Join me. I would speak to you more.”

Dahab grinned and gave him a thumbs up.

So there was a test of sorts in all of this.Whether or not I am the sort of person who Jahara would take an interest in.

Caden made his way out onto the balcony. Dahab shut the balcony doors behind them so that they had some privacy.The balcony was bathed in startling moonlight.Caden tilted his head back and let it wash over his face.Iolaire did the same, churring, and imagining flying with Raziel in the moonlight.

Soon, Iolaire, Caden promised.

When he finally lowered his head and looked over at Jahara, she was leaning one hip against the stone railing and was regarding him with a half smile on her lips.

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