When he glanced back, he saw Xi wrinkle his nose.
“Don’t you trust me?”Leander asked.He tried to make his voice sound teasing, but he lacked the skill.He sounded resentful.
“I absolutely trust you.However, we are in a magical forest in a magically enlarged space with magical monsters.I would feel more comfortable if my shadow magic worked.Let’s go back to the house and return later.”His voice had a pleading note that made Leander want to agree, but he couldn’t.Their position in town was far too tenuous for him to go back on his word to present Mother Huiling with a ling basket.
“I will feel any animal that approaches, and I have enough plants to defend us.”
Xi scoffed.“So you’re giving yourself good odds against the dragon?”
Leander rested his hand against a poplar tree, absorbing the enthusiasm and endurance.“Dragons in China are more likely to have a conversation with you than eat you.Do not insult eastern dragons.”
“I would prefer my powers available before we face anything with teeth large enough to eat me, whether the creature wants to have a conversation first or not.”
“Our position is too precarious.If you want to go back, feel free.”Leander continued walking.“I need to make the basket I promised, and we are in a spotlight, so I don’t dare go back on my word.”A tree whispered about a bird passing through its leaves, and moss revealed a huge anthill with tiny feet rushing about.
“Trust me, I noticed the spotlight thing.Your lover’s family is a little more important than I thought.”
Leander snorted.He would be far happier living in the shadows.“We can’t change reality, and as a new son of the household, I need to show I can contribute to the home.”
“Then buy them something.I saw the pile of money they presented to you.”
“I have no idea what they would value, nor do I know any local craftsmen who can make something equal to their status.”Life would be so much easier if Leander had been adopted into a working-class family.“Auntie Daiyu values my baskets.”Leander was quite through indulging Xi’s ridiculous arguments, so he quickened his stride, searching for a path down to the river.Part of him hoped Xi would turn and go back to the city, but he followed, mumbling the entire way.
Leander tangled his magic with some of the great century trees.They carried a weight Leander had never felt before.Their power seemed to reach for him rather than passively accepting it.Hidden in the shadows, Leander sensed vines and flowers and tiny hidden fungi from unfamiliar species.
He found a vine that whispered of dreams and magic, and he stopped, startled at the potency of the impression.
Xi came to his side.“Did you hear something?”He was on alert, his gaze darting about the shadowed forest, clearly searching for a predator.
“No, I just identified a new species of plant.It’s fascinating.”
Xi blinked at him before shoving his shoulder as if they were still boys in middle school.“You scared the shit out of me.”
Leander lifted an eyebrow.“All I did was stop in the middle of the path.If you’re scaring yourself, that’s your problem.”Leander knew he was being unkind, especially given that Xi couldn’t access his shadow magic.If Leander could not feel the strength of the trees around him or the joy of the flowers or the tickling poison of the vines that grew in shadow, he would be homicidal.“I can do this task myself,” he said in a gentler tone.Instead of accepting that as a peace offering and retreating to town where he would be more comfortable, Xi got a defiant look in his eye and clenched his jaw.
“I’m not leaving you in a mythological forest by yourself.”
Leander spread his arms wide and gestured to the surrounding landscape.“Where would a plant mage be safer?”
Xi crossed his arms.“I’m not leaving.”
Leander sighed.“Then we need to look for the path because I won’t leave until I have woven the most beautiful basket I can for Mother Huiling.”
“Then let’s get this over with.”Xi stomped ahead, either in some imitation of a toddler tantrum or to frighten off any predators; Leander wasn’t sure which.
They walked at least a mile and perhaps two before the trees thinned and a sharp U-turn in the path led down to the banks of the river.“Finally.”Xi navigated the narrow path and shallow steps carved into the earth.
“I hate these stupid robes.”Xi grabbed the hem of his robe and lifted it all the way to his waist, showing off a pair of boots and bare legs.
“Where are your pants?”
Xi looked at Leander wide-eyed and startled.“I can wear pants?”
Leander lifted his robe to show his pants tucked into the top of his boots.
Xi’s mouth fell open.“Why don’t I have pants in my wardrobe?”he demanded.
Leander suspected it was a cruel joke, but he wasn’t sure who was playing it.“I shall ask Mother Huiling about local clothing stores or finding a tailor,” Leander said.
