‘Oh, a little rooster told me that there are some tensions between you and some of the ladies of the court.’
‘Ah yes. Misunderstandings, you know. Nothing for you to worry about.’ I scan the cave but the only opening is in the ceiling above me, far too high for me to jump.
Lord Black watches me. ‘As I said, I have something for you.’
I fake laugh into my hand. ‘Oh, I’m sure you say that to all the ladies. But really, I must go. Abundant gratitude to the Dragon King of the North, this humble one requests you send me back to the Cathay Hotel.’
I walk with purpose towards one of the walls, hoping he’ll dip his chin again and send me off. I stop with my nose to the cavern wall, waiting for that sucking sensation. It doesn’t come. Slowly, I turn. He’s watching me with that same expression he had in the water. With his human face, I can tell he’s amused.
‘Why am I here? And where is here?’ I pitch my tone between warning and demand.
‘Apologies for whisking you away, Lady Jing. Niang Niang was approaching, and it’s better if she doesn’t catch me with one of her court. Especially when she’s in a snit.’ He glances at my stance. ‘I am not going to hurt you. Lord Ma and Lord Nioh would not stand for it, and I would never disrespect my old friend Big Wang by harming his ward.’
I weigh his words. He does not smell like a liar or a coward. I nod, but even so, I don’t let down my guard. I stroll over to the desk, placing it between us. In his dragon form, I have no chance. But in his human guise? Maybe.
He waves a hand in the air. A robe of deepest purple appears, draped across the back of the chair. ‘That should fit you,’ he says.
‘I’m happy as I am.’
Lord Black’s eyes twinkle. ‘Well, between you and me, clothes are overrated. We are all naked beneath them, are we not?’
It’s the first time I’ve heard another deity express such a progressive attitude. Expose so much as a knee and the whole town is a titter. But shove my chest in everyone’s face? Well, that’s de rigueur. I will never understand the double-standard.
‘However,’ he continues, interrupting my silent shock, ‘Lord Ma would likely not be quite so understanding to find I entertained a decidedly underdressed Lady Jing in my home. For the sake of my future welfare, please.’
I reconsider Lord Black. Maybe he’s not dangerous. Maybe he is. At any rate, putting on clothes won’t put me at a disadvantage. Better to play along. It might get me out faster.
The robe glides over my arms in a heavy swish of embroidered silk, soft, smooth, and comfy. I pull the sash tight around my waist. ‘Abundant gratitude, honourable Lord of the North Seas.’
He bows slightly. ‘May sherrr. Come,’ he says, leading me to an alcove in the wall with two seats and an outcrop of stone to serve as a small table.
‘Do you live here?’
Apart from the writing desk and chair, and this sitting niche, there’s not much else.
‘I am sorry for the lack of furnishing. I normally keep to my true form when I am here.’
‘I didn’t know you had a home in the Turquoise Hills.’
‘I don’t, at least, not officially.’ He smiles, though there’s a touch of sadness. ‘I don’t think I am to the Hulijing Court’s taste.’
‘Too scaly? Too large? Too reptilian?’ I press my lips together, too late. The words are out before I remember to filter them.
Lord Black is silent for a beat, then bursts out laughing. ‘I have heard of your famed directness.’ He chuckles again, running a finger over his fine moustache. ‘The ladies of the Hulijing Court prefer mortals.’
‘To eat, yes.’ I know what hulijing do with yang. If they are kind, they let the mortal live, and thus continue to take nourishment from them. If they are not... well, empty husk is a generous description of what hulijing leave of their mortal quarry. Having come upon those husks as a child, I don’t blame Mr Lee for his fear of hulijing. ‘But you’re the Dragon King of the North.’
He shrugs, but he doesn’t seem at all bothered. ‘You are more mature than Lord Ma led me to believe.’
‘Nice to know Lord Ma thinks so highly of me.’ I can’t help the archness of my tone.
Lord Black crosses his legs and leans back against the cavern wall. ‘He does. You should hear him boast about you.’
My face scrunches up. ‘You are talking of Lord Ma – long face, big teeth?’
‘The one you call Horsey?’ He smiles at my reaction. ‘Yes. The very one. At seven you had mastered all five Confucian classics. At twelve your mastery of brush control was second to none. At sixteen you committed the entire Ming poetry canon to memory.’
‘How do you—?’
