Page 10 of Expecting in Oceans

“Hell yeah. That’s the T’Wanu way!” He waved his hand. “Yo, Leo! Come on, let’s all have a drink with Visir and Kai. We’re all family, now.”

Leo came over with two fresh cups, and three of us wandered through the party to look for the newly mated pair. I was distracted by my irritation, which in turn bothered me even more. There was no good explanation for why I was so fixated on this. I was aProtector. I’d spent many painful days enduring the relentless crash of thermal waterfalls to toughen my mind and spirit. I wasn’t supposed to be so affected by the moods of one completely unimportant dragon.

I caught sight of Ari again. He was holding a dialogue with a group of T’Wanu elders, his hands clasped cleanly behind his back.

How poised.

One of the old men said something, and Ari smiled warmly and bowed. The others laughed and patted Ari’s arm.

So, hewascapable of niceties.

We drank with Kai and Visir, and our cheers drew Shen, Enry, Eli, and Theo into the circle. The cups were drained and refilled, then Sam and Jonathan wanted to join. Jonathan had a big jug of the island firewater and topped up everyone’s cups to the point of overflowing.

“And extra for you, Enry,” he said. “It’ll make your baby growstrong.”

Enry’s skin was flushed from the dragon draught, and he grinned. “Thank you,” he said, waving his cup in the air and spilling some on Shen’s shoulder. “I just…I just wish Layne and Frel were here to celebrate and meet all of you.”

Theo threw an arm around Enry’s shoulder and gave him a gentle, fatherly shake.

“We all do, Enry. And I can’t express enough gratitude for all the effort and hard work you and Shen are putting into opening that drakengate. It’s a huge task, especially in your condition, and I can certainly speak for Eli and myself when I say we couldn’t be more thankful.”

“Yes, indeed,” said Eli. “As wonderful and needed as our travels have been for us, we very much miss seeing everyone.”

“This gate will be a connection of friendship,” Kai added. “I’m excited for our families, flights, and pods to meet.”

“Cheers to Enry and Shen,” said Leo.

“Aw, stop, you guys,” Shen said. “Actually, don’t. More praise, more praise. We deserve it.”

“May we join?” a voice said over my shoulder.

I turned and was startled to see Ari’s big dumb face intruding into my space. Had Pan and Lance not been with him I probably wouldn’t have moved aside to let him in. I frowned at him, but he paid me no attention and raised his cup.

“Congratulations, and may the sea bring fortune to your union,” Ari said to Kai and Visir. “I’m very pleased for you two.”

“We were acknowledging Enry and Shen, actually,” I said.

“Oh. My apologies. A salute to you both.”

A piercing hoot like an owl’s cry cut the air, and the rhythm of the drums made a sharp change, building in speed and energy.

“Yes!” Makoa shouted. “The fire dance is starting. I’m getting on the drums! Kai? You and Visir gonna dance?”

Visir gave Kai no choice. He grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the ring of sand around the big bonfire. A cheer sounded throughout the party. Makoa tipped back his cup, tossed it aside, and dashed to take over an empty drum.

The luyu ran hot through my body. It was damn good stuff, and drinking another cupful wouldn’t hurt—it was helping to get me back into the moment.

Others joined Kai and Visir around the fire, moving their bodies to the beat while kicking up the sand. I smiled and started over to them, then found myself jolted back as a big hand grabbed my elbow. I spun around.

“Istil,” Ari said.

He towered over me. Had he always been this tall, or was it the drink messing with my eyes?

“What?” I answered, flustered and on the defense.

“I was trying to get your attention.”

“Well, you have it. What is it?”

---