Page 36 of The Dragon's Promise

A turtle had appeared in the middle of Elang’s study, ready to take Gen to shore.

Gen stepped onto its back and picked up the reins. His smile turned roguish. “Always wanted to ride a giant turtle.”

I ventured toward the boy. “May our strands cross again. Go well, Gen.”

“May our strands cross again!” he yelled as the turtle bent its legs to spring upward. “Preferably in a place with more air”—he tipped his head at Kiki—“and birds!”

With a mighty whoosh, the turtle leapt out into the sea, taking Gen with it. In a blink, they were gone.

The study went silent once more, and without wasting a beat, Elang turned to Seryu and me. “Now, what’s to be done with the two of you?”

I held up the Wraith’s pearl before Elang. “Lady Nahma said you know who this belongs to.”

“Get that thing away from me!” Elang recoiled from the pearl. “Nazayun will not tell you who the Wraith is, and neither will I. That’s the end of the discussion.”

“Lady Nahma said—”

“I don’t care what she said. Seryu used up her favor to save the boy. You are testing the bounds of my goodwill, and that goodwill is quickly being depleted.”

I sucked in my breath. “Then let me propose a favor.”

“There’s nothing you could offer me.”

“Isn’t there?” I challenged. I could think of something.

Ever since we’d arrived, I’d been puzzling over how Elang had recognized Gen. Why he had gone through the trouble of sending Gen home, when Nahma’s favor had only required him to heal the boy.

“You’re the dragon who brought Gen into Ai’long,” I cried. “You asked him to steal something for you. Something you’ve been coveting for years. I’ll help you get it.”

“You’ve just outworn your welcome,” Elang said thickly.

“What is it? I’ll help you get it.”

“You’ve got some nerve, krill. Grandfather’s entire army is searching for you, and you want to play thief? You don’t stand a chance. The boy failed, and his magic is far stronger than yours.”

“My magic is Kiatan, like the mirror’s. I can do it.”

He clapped. “My turtles will show you to the door—”

“I’ll help her,” interrupted Seryu.

Elang halted midclap and spun to face his cousin. “I wouldn’t be so quick to volunteer. Do you even know what I require?”

“I will once you tell me.”

Elang’s gaze widened to include both of us. “A shard from the mirror of truth,” he said. “I believe you’re both acquainted with it. You especially, cousin.”

Seryu bristled. “You want me to steal my mother’s mirror?”

“Still committed to helping the girl? I thought not.” Elang smirked at Seryu’s silence and circled me. “Aunt Solzaya’s moods are legendary. Last year, a companion dared insinuate that she was old. Crabs and slugs and barnacles fell out of the poor girl’s mouth with every word, until she finally choked to death.” Elang stopped in front of Seryu. “Imagine what she’ll do to Shiori for stealing her mirror, especially after rejecting her precious son in front of the entire court—”

“Shiori didn’t reject me,” Seryu griped, as if that were the most important point. “And yes, I’ll still help her.”

Even as he said it, he wouldn’t look at me. I swallowed. “It’s settled, then,” I said, getting back to business. “A mirror shard for the location of the Wraith. Do we have a deal?”

Elang scowled at me. Something was holding him back. “You’re a fool to go ahead with this, krill. My grandfather and Aunt Solzaya would happily take the pearl off your hands, even reward you if you played them cleverly enough. Instead, you’ve chosen to make an enemy of them. Why do you care so much about finding the Wraith?”

“I have a promise to keep,” I replied.

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