Page 21 of Whispers of the Dragon
“Pretty little thing, isn’t she?”
“Yes,” Ryu agreed, sitting down across from her. “Did you know she was so close?”
“Perhaps.” The twinkle in her blind eyes sparkled. “But Eira wasn’t ready to be found yet.”
“And …” He swallowed nervously, knowing time was of the essence. “Is she now?”
The old witch cackled. “Well, you found her, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but she’s afraid to be tou—”
“I warned you she was broken,” she cut him off. “That youbothwere.”
Ryu didn’t need to be reminded of that, even though he didn’t feel broken at all.
“How am I supposed to touch her, then?”
Reaching over, she patted his hand to assure him, “In time.”
“I don’t have time,” he said in frustration, smacking his fist down on the table. “There are only a few leaves left.”
“Is that why you came here, then? To see how much time you have?”
“No.” He calmed himself. “I came because of Eira’s nightmares.”
She raised an unruly brow. “Oh?”
When she didn’t appear to know what he was talking about, he continued, “She told me she’s having nightmares that are not hers.”
Itako thought for several moments, mumbling as if she were listening to something around her, but Ryu didn’t hear anything.
Getting up, the blind lady scurried around the place as if she could see perfectly. When she opened up cabinets, it appeared she was looking for something while she continued to talk to herself.
“What is it? What does it mean?” he asked, standing to follow her around once he realized she knew something.
“You and Eira are soulmates,” she began as she carried on looking. “When you met, you must’ve sparked memories of her past life.”
Confusedly, he asked, “Why her and not me?” When she went quiet and didn’t want to answer, he growled out, “Why?”
Itako stopped, giving him her full attention. Her blind eyes met his as she told him honestly, “She must’ve experienced a painful event or death in that life.”
It felt as if he had been hit in his chest, knocking the breath out of him.
“The spirit of your dragon must’ve met her on the other side.”
His words were hoarse. “The spirit of my dragon?”
“You not only carry your soul, but the souls of all your ancestors that were dragons before you. My guess is they protected her, assuring that her soul was placed correctly to continue your lineage,” she explained.
He looked down at the creaky floor; it was bittersweet to know his ancestors had made Eira possible for him, but it bitterly hurt to know she might have suffered.
“I see.”
Itako reached for his hand, taking it in her withered ones. “Her past life doesn’t define what could happen in this one,” she assured him before placing a small bottle in his hand. “Have her take a drop of this before bed to sleep. She won’t dream, and I have reason to believe when you are mated, the dreams will stop … hopefully.”
“Thank you.” He nodded his head in understanding of the instructions. “But if our past lives don’t define us, then why are we broken in every one?”
“It is cold.” The seeress pretended to shiver. “Do you mind getting me some kindle to start a fire?”
