Shunlei let out a huff. “You’re right. Maybe short flights with you?”
“That’s probably the best approach. We can’t do long flights anyway, not right now.”
Hawes gave them a smile. “I’ll let you two work that out. I’m glad for you both.”
“Thank you,” she answered with her own smile. “So am I.”
Being back on the road was something of a relief. The people in Haslett had picked up on their courtship—easily done with how they were acting and the purchases they made—and while some of them were indulgent, others found it to be taboo. A human and a dragon had no business being together. Especially with the aftermath of a dragon’s rampage in the town, there were more than a few mixed feelings on the matter. It might have come to a more obvious tension if not for the good grace they’d all earned by putting the town back to rights.
Still, Mei Li was glad to have Haslett at her back. They rode out early in the morning, Shunlei riding double with her as usual. They capitalized on the proximity more than usual by talking constantly.
By late afternoon, they all agreed to find a good place to camp. It didn’t appear they’d arrive at a town before night fell, and this was the first patch of semi-flat land they’d seen all day. They went through the usual camp chores, including putting up tents. It smelled like rain although they didn’t see any signs of clouds yet.
Shunlei surprised her by snaking an arm around her waist and whispering against her ear, “Fly with me?”
They had barely any light left, but she didn’t want to refuse him. With a smile, she nodded.
Turning his head, Shunlei called, “Hawes! We’ll be gone an hour or so.”
Kiyo waved them on. “It’ll take me that long to make dinner, go ahead.”
Going further out, he found an open spot and shifted forms. Mei Li followed him, putting both arms around his neck as he cradled her up against his chest. The updraft sent chills along her skin but she ignored those. It might be a bit too cold still for a night flight, true, as summer was still a month away. But the heat pouring off Shunlei’s skin would keep her warm enough.
And the skies were glorious.
A smile lit her face as she looked all around her even as Shunlei gained altitude. The stars shone in full force tonight, bright spots of light against inky darkness. She enjoyed the view immensely, as well as the feeling that if she just reached out a hand, she could touch one of them.
He banked a little, the wind rustling her hair and sending it flying in multiple directions. Mei Li dragged several strands out of her mouth and asked, “Do you have a spot in mind?”
“There.” His head turned to indicate a grassy slope that overlooked the ocean.
It looked a pretty spot to relax in, certainly. And it wasn’t too far from camp, which was even better.
Shunlei slowed and carefully descended with her, setting feet to earth first. She let go so he could land a short distance away, and avoided his tail with practiced ease. Dragons were like puppies when it came to tails—they often lost all awareness of where the tail was going.
Only once he was switched to human form did she approach, sinking down onto the grass next to him and snuggling against his side. They lay there with her head pillowed on his arm, stargazing.
“It’s such a clear night,” she said, her eyes panning the heavens. “Normally you can’t see the constellations like this.”
“Really? I see them often.”
Oh. Right. The atmosphere changed in the future. Mei Li cursed her tongue and rephrased, “At least, I’m usually in an area that normally has a lot of cloud cover.”
“Ah, I see. Then it’s even better I chose tonight to fly with you. It’s the perfect night for it.”
“It really is.” They lay like that for several minutes, content in each other’s company. It felt intimate to her, a moment just for them, and Mei Li almost didn’t ask some of the questions burning on the tip of her tongue. But there were so many basic things she didn’t know about him. It seemed a shame to not try and learn more. “Shunlei…as long as I’ve known you, I’ve never heard you mention your parents.”
“My parents, eh?”
“You’ve mentioned a broodmother, but no one else.”
“Ah, I can see how you’d question it, then. Well, our society is a little different from human culture. Typically, we have our own territories, and we only really cross those lines to either hunt or mate, but there’s one exception. Broodmothers. These are older dragons, ones who have had younglings of their own, and they can cross territories freely. It’s understood that if a broodmother is nearby, and you have a youngling you can’t care for easily, you can go to her for help. Or if you find a young one, for instance, you can track down a broodmother. They’ll take any and all children.”
Mei Li had been aware of about half of that. “Which were you?”
“My mother took me to a broodmother for help. At least, at first. I never knew my father, and she wouldn’t speak of him, so I’m not sure why she was alone. The broodmother helped look after me while my mother hunted for all of us. That’s typically how the arrangement works. But one day, my mother just didn’t come back. I assumed her lost for several weeks until we finally got word she’d been caught in a bad storm and didn’t make it through.”
Mei Li turned, putting her forehead against the side of his face. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s an old scar on the heart now.” His arms around her waist squeezed for a moment in silent thanks. “I was very young then. I barely remember her at all. My broodmother is really the only mother I remember. I still see her whenever I pass through the right area. She’s more or less claimed territory and has no intention of moving.”
“Well, if she’s comfortable and safe, why move?”
“Her sentiments exactly. Come to think of it, you’ve not mentioned parents?”
“I was given to the temple when I was very young. I barely remember my parents as well. My master came and adopted me when I was six. I was with him until the shipwreck.”
“So, he’s your family.”
“Yes. My absent-minded father figure who can, and has, nearly burned the house down on several memorable occasions.” Mei Li snorted at the memory. Then sighed, as of course she still had no idea if he was alright.
“You’re worried for him.”
“He’s just such a careless man when it comes to taking care of himself. I took on so much of the household chores even as a child because he was inept with them. It’s easy to get lost in this world—it’s so vast, after all—so it’s understandable I haven’t found him yet. I’m just worried about what state he’s in now.”
“I’ll help you,” he promised in a low voice.
“I know you will.” Now and in the future. A spark caught her eye and she gasped. “Shooting star! Quick, make a wish!”
“Does making a wish on a falling star really come true?”
“It will as—too late.” She sighed, aggravated. Mei Li rarely saw shooting stars. She really should have made a wish and then tried to explain it to Shunlei. Oh well. “You have to make your wish before it disappears.”
“Hmm. I have a feeling I can realize my own wish, though.” Turning his head, he caught her chin and lifted up enough to press a chaste kiss against her mouth.
Mei Li blinked, not expecting this. She’d never been kissed before, but that was a pleasant sensation. She smiled against his mouth, and that was the only encouragement he needed to do it again.
Then once more, with sweet heat.
They parted with a soft sigh. Mei Li’s hand brushed up his chest slowly, and she relished the way his eyes darkened. “Shunlei, dearest. I think we’re going to be late getting back to camp.”
“Are we?” he murmured, already leaning back down.
“Very, very late.”
They were, indeed, very late. By about three hours. Mei Li’s hair was a scattered mess any bird would love to nest in—and that was only partially due to the w
indy conditions of the sky. Neither of their clothing was precisely straight or tidy. It was rather obvious in a glance what they had been doing.
The only one still up was Melchior, and he gave them an indulgent smile as they strolled back into camp. “How was your flight?”
“Lovely,” Mei Li answered forthrightly. “I take it you have first watch?”
“I do.”
“I can turn dragon and sleep near the camp, keep predators at bay,” Shunlei offered. “There’s no need for people to lose sleep.”
Melchior bit the inside of his cheek and looked sorely tempted. “Will you be comfortable out here? I think it’ll rain.”
Shunlei shrugged, not at all bothered by the possibility. “Rain won’t bother me any. It doesn’t smell like it’ll hit anytime soon. I think we’re going to be riding in it tomorrow.”
“Oh, now doesn’t that sound pleasant,” Mei Li grumbled. Then sighed. There was no way to avoid weather while traveling. “On that lovely note, let’s eat. Someone saved dinner for us?”
“We did. Tempting though it was to not.” Melchior gave her a wink before nodding to the soup pot resting near the fire. “Should still be warm.”
“Thank you.” Mei Li dished up some for Shunlei, then herself, and sat with the men companionably as she ate. Then it was a quick wash of the dishes in a nearby brook before kissing Shunlei goodnight and turning in.
She thought Kiyo asleep in their tent and tried to be quiet as she got ready for bed, but the woman turned over, eyes open.
“How was your flight?”
“Entirely romantic.” Mei Li sat on the bedroll and took a comb to her hair. She’d get out the worst of the knots for tonight and plait her hair, then have Shunlei finish the job in the morning. He pouted now if he didn’t get to arrange her hair.
Kiyo only hummed thoughtfully.
Not sure what that reaction meant, Mei Li looked at her askance. “What?”
“I’ve been thinking about it, why Shunlei fell for you. Really, it might have been inevitable. From the beginning you’ve accepted him fully, with absolutely no doubts. You’re confident in whatever goal he sets. I suppose that level of adoration is impossible to resist.”
Mei Li certainly reacted that way to him, she couldn’t deny that. “I’m not disagreeing, but…I’m not sure if that explains why he’s attracted to me, though.”
“Oh, I’m not saying that’s all it is. I just think that’s why he grew close enough to you for this attachment to form. I can’t imagine he’d pay close attention to most human women on a day to day basis. It was your reaction to him that encouraged him to take a closer look.” Kiyo seemed quite confident in her theory. Also tired, as she ended her declaration with a soft sigh. “I don’t think this was his intention, either. When he originally set the goal for humanity and dragons to be friends, I mean.”
Snorting, Mei Li agreed dryly, “Likely not.”
“I bet you’re glad he came up with that goal.”
“I am. For entirely selfish reasons.”
Curious, Kiyo pried open an eyelid to regard her. “Do you really think the two of you will marry, then?”
“Oh, of that I’m quite sure.”
Riding, riding, riding. Laborde seemed peaceful still, at least. Mei Li was grateful for small favors. The only thing that broke up the monotony of traveling was her talks with Shunlei.
At night, he often took her on short flights so they could spend a little time alone with each other. Mei Li loved those stolen moments more than words could express. Having his undivided attention wasn’t precisely new to her, but knowing she carried part of this man’s heart with her somehow made it new. His patience and affection were quelling her fears and slowly giving her confidence. He really had thought this through. The best she could do was to be with him now and make their time worth it.
They exchanged the second piece of the wedding outfit—the shoes—and Mei Li did it with complete confidence. Seeing her confidence overjoyed Shunlei. She had no idea where or when they’d be able to buy the next piece, but she looked forward to the moment they could exchange the next garment.
The long days of riding and the short, sweet moments eventually carried them through the main leg of their journey. They passed through the rolling, golden foothills north of the Summer Wind Mountains, continuing along the coastal highway that bordered on the East Sea. When they crossed into the flat plains south of the foothills, Mei Li knew they’d just crossed into the border of Bader.
Which meant they were, at least, finally in the right country. Now that they were in Bader, they stood a far better chance of finding and stopping Ghost General’s Sword—and whoever was unlucky enough to wield it.
They were in sight of Bader’s border when a dragon flew overhead. It caught all of their attention, and they stilled, waiting to see what it would do. This one was a Green, quite dark in tone, so heading for Blue stage shortly. It spied them, banked, and did a lazy circle around the group before calling down in Long-go, “I seek Shunlei the Red!”
Shunlei immediately called back, “I am he!”
“I would speak words with you!”
“Then come down, we will speak as friends.”
This seemed amiable to Green, as he (she?) turned and found a good stretch of road to land in. Shunlei hopped off as the other dragon landed, loping ahead several paces and changing forms until he was in dragon mode as well. Mei Li assumed some sort of etiquette was in place and didn’t ask.
Green turned, settling down with wings tucked in along the sides. With a duck of the head, the dragon greeted them all. “I am Kalei the Green.”
“Well met, Kalei. You’ve words you wish to tell me?” Shunlei settled down opposite of her, also relaxed on the road, for all the world as if they had oodles of time.
“Yes. I have heard of you, and your goals. Many that I met have spoken of you. Enlai is such a one. He said you brokered a deal for him so he may claim human territory as his own?”
To Mei Li’s ears, this sounded hopeful, as if Kalei wanted the same for herself.
Carefully, Shunlei answered, “He claims it as home, yes. It still belongs to humans, but he can hunt and live there. In return, he helps them.”
Kalei nodded, as if she already knew this. “Yes, he explained how the deal was made. It was a good deal. I wanted to meet with you and ask you to help me do the same. My mate and I search for a good place to settle and have eggs. But there’s no place that offers good hunting that isn’t already taken.”
This sounded especially good to Mei Li. She approached from the side, so both dragons could easily track her, and offered a bow. “Kalei, I am Mei.”
Kalei gave her a duck of the head, a startled sort of smile on the dragon’s face. “You speak Long-go?”
“I do. I know of a place you and your mate would be welcome.”
Kalei’s tail gave a happy thump on the ground. “Where is this place? Is it good for hatchlings?”
“It is.” To Shunlei, Mei suggested, “Lady Ilona’s?”
“Ah.” Remembrance flashed through his eyes. “Yes, of course, that’s perfect. Kalei, we were visiting in Laborde not far from here. The city that is surrounded by orchards and grapes, you know of it?”
“Yes, I pass it often.”
“The lady that governs the city is keen to have dragons live there. For protection, mostly. She offers the same deal Enlai now enjoys. If you tell her I sent you, she will happily give you a home.”
Kalei thrummed, a happy, excited sound. “This is good. You’ve directed me to a good place. I thank you, Shunlei, Mei. I will find my mate, and we will go there. It is good I found you on the way. We are leaving our old territory. It is too dangerous there.”
Uh-oh. That didn’t sound good. Mei pressed, “Why, what happened there?”
“There is a sword, a magical sword, that is causing havoc. It made men fight us even when we tried to avoid them.” Kalei shook her head in disapproval. “It became too dangerous for hatchl
ings. We chose to leave and find another place. I would not go further south. It is only trouble.”
Ghost General’s Sword. Check. Mei tried not to sound too eager as she questioned. “Where was it precisely, do you know?”
“It moved often. We kept waiting, thinking it would leave our territory. But it does not, just changes hands. We grew frustrated.” Kalei canted her head, thinking. “Near the mountains was where we saw it last.”
“That gives us something of an idea. Thank you.”
“Thank you,” Shunlei echoed. “Safe journey. Ask for Lady Ilona or the Lady of the Fields.”
“I will do so.” With another duck of the head, Kalei shook her wings out and did a powerful upthrust, springing herself back into the sky.
Hawes approached, still in the saddle and asked, “What was that?”
Turning to him, Mei Li gave him the succinct version. “That was a dragon looking for Shunlei. She wanted to get the same deal Enlai now has at Crimson Lake. We told her to go to Lady Ilona’s.”
Hawes smiled, quick and pleased. “That’s wonderful. She’ll be excited to see her.”
“Them,” Shunlei corrected, changing back to human form in an easy transition. “Kalei is mated. They want to start having children, so they’ve been on the lookout for safer territory. They said they had to abandon their old territory, as there was a dangerous magical sword on the loose.”
“Dangerous magical sword, eh? And where was their old territory?”
Mei Li pointed dead behind her. “South, at the base of the mountains, is where she saw it last.”
“Well, then, sounds like we’re heading the right direction.” Hawes got that grim look on his face that suggested he was already planning ahead. “Right. You two mount up. Let’s go hunt down a sword.”
They did so, resuming their southern trek, but with a steadier purpose this time instead of a vague idea of where to go.
The Divided River was a natural barrier they had to cross in order to reach the southern coast. Fortunately, there was many a ferry set up for travelers, and since they were on a major highway, the ferry was more than just one man with a flat barge. They had a small ticket office, several flat boats, and even a holding pen for cattle and sheep off to the side.
First of Tomes (The Tomes of Kaleria Book 2) Page 22
