Page 144 of Tiger's Quest
“We just saw the Scarf create a replica when I assumed Mr. Kadam’s form. If he takes the replica version, he’ll think that he’s won.”
“But we don’t know if the replica can be removed from the person or not. Even if it could be, we don’t know how long it will last.”
Kishan shrugged and said, “We’ll test it when we get back.”
“It’s a good idea.”
I stumbled over a rock, and Kishan caught me. He held me for just a moment longer than necessary, smiled, and brushed the hair out of my face.
“We’re almost there. Can you keep going or do you need to rest?” he asked intently.
“I can keep going.”
He released me and took the backpack from my shoulders.
“Kishan, I just want to say thank you for everything you did in Shangri-la. I wouldn’t have made it without you.”
He threw the backpack over one shoulder and stopped, considering me for a minute. “You didn’t think I’d let you go alone, did you?”
“No, but I’m grateful that I had you with me.”
“Grateful is all I’m going to get, isn’t it?”
“What else were you hoping for?”
“Adoration, devotion, affection, infatuation, or just plain finding me irresistible.”
“Sorry, Don Juan. You’ll have to live with my undying gratitude.”
He sighed dramatically. “I guess that’s as good a place to start as any. How about we just call it even. I never actually thanked you for convincing me to come home. I’ve . . . found a lot of things about being home that I like.”
I smiled at him. “It’s a deal.”
He put his arm across my shoulders, and we continued our hike.
“I wonder if we’ll come across that old bear again,” Kishan mused.
“If so, I should be able to keep him away this time. I didn’t think to use my power when we first ran into him. Apparently, I’m not much of a warrior.”
“You fought the birds really well.” He grinned. “I’d ride into battle with you any time. Let me tell you about the time I left my sword at home.” He kissed my forehead and remembered happier times.
At dusk, we could see a small fire in the distance at the base of the mountain. Kishan assured me that it was Mr. Kadam’s camp. He said he could smell him on the breeze. He held my hand the last half mile because he said he could see better in the dark than I could—but I suspected that wasn’t the only reason. When we got closer, I could just make out Mr. Kadam’s shadow inside the tent.
I approached the tent and said, “Knock. Knock. Any room in there for a couple of wandering strangers?”
The shadow moved, and the tent’s zipper slid down.
“Miss Kelsey? Kishan?”
Mr. Kadam stepped outside and grabbed me in a big hug. Then he turned to clap Kishan on the back.
“You must be freezing! Come inside. I’ll make some hot tea. Let me just get a kettle to put on the fire.”
“Mr. Kadam, you don’t have to do that. We have the Golden Fruit, remember?”
“Ah, yes, I forgot.”
“And we have something else too.”
