“Father will be in enough anguish as it is,” I added. I swallowed hard, imagining his reaction to Raikama’s death. “I’ll be back soon enough.”
As soon as the words left my lips, I wished I could take them back. I hadn’t even told Seryu that I wasn’t giving the pearl to his grandfather. The Dragon King wouldn’t be pleased, that was for certain. Well, with or without Seryu’s help, I’d keep my promise to Raikama. I’d find the pearl’s true owner.
Kiki hovered above me as I slipped off my shoes, leaving them on the shore.Do you think I’ll be able to swim as well as I fly?she asked.Maybe Seryu can give me fins.
I didn’t reply. The sand under my feet was moist and cold, and I shivered as the sea washed up against my ankles.
There was one last thing to do before I went in. Hasho brought me a box made of teak, a wood native to Tambu, wrapped in one of Raikama’s brocade gowns. Each of us seven had placed a little piece of ourselves into the box—Andahai a jewel from one of his crowns, Benkai an arrow, Reiji a chess piece, Wandei his favorite book, Yotan a paintbrush, Hasho a feather, and me, seven paper birds.
Raikama wouldn’t be alone when she returned to the Tambu Isles.
Carefully I wrapped the box with a strand of the red thread my stepmother had always used to find her way home.
“Reunite her with her sister,” I whispered to the box before setting it on a gentle current. In silence, I watched it float away until it disappeared beyond my sight.
One after another, my brothers embraced me. Hasho held on the longest, and he whispered, “Don’t stay away too long, Sister. We’ll miss you.”
Last came Takkan.
There was sand all over his robes, and his hair kept whipping at his cheeks, but I’d never thought him more dignified—or dear to me—than at this moment. He bowed, keeping a respectful distance.
“My brothers aren’t going to put you in the dungeon for giving me a hug,” I teased.
“I know,” he said quietly. “I only worry that I won’t want to let you go.”
I threw myself into his arms then, burying my head under his chin.
He stroked my hair. “I want to come with you.”
“You can’t.” I looked up, knowing from his tightly pursed lips that he wished for a different answer. “I wish you could. Don’t worry, I’ll be in good hands.”
“If the legends I’ve heard about dragons are true, I have reason to doubt that.” Takkan met my eyes, his own unwavering. “But I know you can take care of yourself, Shiori. Better than anyone. I’ll wait for you.”
I took his hands. I wasn’t sure when I’d see him again. It was said that time passed differently in the underwater kingdom than it did in this world. It could very well be years before I saw him again. Would things be the same between us when I returned?
IfI returned?
I pushed the thought from my mind and mustered a smile. “Keep my brothers out of trouble.”
“I seem to recall you were the troublemaker, Shiori. Not them.”
My smile became real, and I started to turn for the sea, but Takkan wasn’t finished. “Take this with you.” He passed me his sketchbook. It was the same one he’d carried at Sparrow Inn, the pages stained with charcoal and what smelled like soup.
“More letters?”
“Better,” he promised. “So you don’t forget me.”
I touched my forehead to his and pressed my lips to his cheek, not caring if my brothers saw. “Our fates are linked,” I said tenderly. “How could I forget you?”
The tides gathered in strength. A green tail gleamed out of the sea-foam, and Seryu emerged in his human form.
I whispered a goodbye to Takkan and broke from his side. As I stepped into the water, my feet sinking into the sand, Kiki rushed after me. She fluttered in front of my nose.Don’t tell me you’re not taking me with you, either!she cried, sounding betrayed.
“Of course I am,” I replied. “Where I go, you go, remember?”
Slightly mollified, Kiki hopped onto my shoulder.Well, say so next time.
My brothers were greeting the dragon. They acknowledged each other with nods, and Takkan, too, bowed his head.
