Page 186 of Tiger's Dream
“We hadn’t filled it yet.”
“Perhaps Kadam healed her?” Ana suggested.
“No.” I shook my head. “She healed quickly on her own, like she did in Shangri-La.”
“She healed there? Interesting. And yet she needed the kamandal to heal from the bite of the shark?”
I nodded. “And Fanindra healed her from the Kappa bite in Kishkindha.”
Ana said, “Shangri-La is a special place indeed, but I did not create it to be a place of healing, nor did I fashion Kishkindha to be such. And this is a place where dragons rule. They created it themselves. I wonder if, like me, Kelsey draws upon the power of her connection to her tiger to heal. It is stronger between us, since our bond is permanent and the elixir enhances this power. But Kelsey and Ren also have this ability, albeit in a more limited fashion.”
“I suppose that makes sense. Her injuries were less severe in this case and her bond was stronger. Well, if we aren’t here to heal Kells, then why are we here? Is Ren’s memory block failing?”
“It is. But this time we want it to fail.”
“Ah. Then tonight is my first date with Kelsey.”
The door cracked open and Kelsey emerged from the bathroom wearing her beautiful dress. “Kishan?” she called and we immediately fell quiet. “Guess not,” Kells said. “Apparently, I’m hearing things now too.” Kelsey paced nervously back and forth, checking her appearance in the mirror.
Ana closed her eyes.She is praying.
To you? I asked, surprised.
No.To her mother.She…she wishes her mother were here to guide her and…Ana cocked her head.
What is it? I asked, urging her to go on.
She wants you to feel happy.That you belong to this world.She wants to love you as she does Ren.
She doesn’t though.
Her feelings for you are strong.They still are.Kelsey loves you but—
But she loves Ren more.
Turning toward me, Ana touched my arm.
It’s okay, I said.A part of me always knew.It’s why I agreed to stay behind with you.
There was a knock on the door and Ana leaned closer to catch a glimpse of my old self.You looked very handsome, she said.
I offered my hand and the two of us followed Kelsey and her date up to the deck, where I’d worked to arrange a romantic dinner.
You went to a lot of trouble, Ana said, admiring the table.
Yeah. I scrubbed the back of my neck, feeling guilty that I’d never done anything like that for Ana.I was pretty desperate to win her affection, I said.
She replied,Any affection won in such a way is fleeting.A woman should love a man for his character, not because he showers her with beautiful gifts and finery.
That’s true, I said, wrapping my arms around her waist from behind. I leaned down to speak softly in her ear.But a man should be courteous and thoughtful when wooing a woman. With Ana’s weight resting against me, we began to sway to the music.Will you dance with me, Ana?
She nodded and I turned her in my arms and pulled her close. The feel of her body, moving with mine, was intoxicating. Her hand stroked my chest and I captured it, pressing it over my heart. We were soon lost in a world of our own and I became so focused I nearly bumped arms with my old self as he began dancing with Kelsey. Instead of yanking me away, Ana froze time and we danced to a music of our own making.
Sliding her arms up around my neck, she drew closer and our lips met. My hands roved her back and the dip of her waist. I captured the length of her hair and tugged gently, so her face tilted up and I could kiss the soft skin of her neck. The world around us ignited and we finally broke apart when we heard a crash.
It seems time started without our help, Ana said.
Ren must have done it. We should learn never to underestimate a desperate tiger, I said.
