Page 59 of Tiger's Destiny
Ren helped me to my feet. “He still thinks you’re dead.”
I rushed around the nest to face Kishan—who only had eyes for the Phoenix. Kishan tried unsuccessfully to wring its neck and tear its wings from its body but the Phoenix was unbreakable.
“Kishan, please stop,” I said softly.
Kishan froze and then dashed tears from his eyes and looked up. “Kelsey?”
I nodded and held out a hand. He let go of the Phoenix, who moved away a few paces and shook itself vigorously. Sunrise flapped its wings several times and then flew to an overhead ledge beyond our reach.
“You’re alive?” Kishan took my hand and yanked me into a tight embrace, stroking my hair as his body shook with relief. “I thought . . . I thought I’d never see you again. That I wouldn’t even be able to find your body and take it home.”
“I tried to tell you she wasn’t dead,” Ren said quietly but matter of factly.
“How did you know I was alive?” I asked, still crushed to Kishan’s chest. “I was pretty badly burned.”
Ren’s blue eyes pierced mine as he admitted softly. “I didn’t at first, but then I realized I’d know. I’d feel it if you were gone.” He broke eye contact and picked up an egg. “I didn’t know you’d be healed, however.”
I gave Kishan a final squeeze, cleared my throat, and announced, “Ren, Kishan, I’d like you to meet Sunrise.”
“And what a memorable greeting it was,” the Phoenix hissed sulkily.
“Are you injured?” I asked.
“Would it matter to you if I was?”
“Of course it would.”
I heard a musical sigh. “No, I am not injured. No thanks to the brute standing at your side.”
Kishan, still angry, threatened, “I held you responsible for her death.”
“She is very much alive. And even better than she was before, in fact.”
“What do you mean better?” I asked.
“The scars on your legs are gone.”
“What?”
Ren crouched down and examined my calves for the scars from the shark and the Kraken. I turned my leg back and forth and only found healthy pink skin as soft as a fawn’s.
The Phoenix eyed our group shrewdly. “I congratulate the two of you on successfully scaling my mountain. As is your right for such a feat, I will grant you passage to the other side as promised and will even give each of you a boon. You may each take something from my mountain with you to the other world. Make your choice when you’re ready. And to show what a magnanimous creature I am, the black tiger may begin.”
Kishan grunted and went for a Phoenix egg. I bit my lip, knowing he’d have to give it back because the eggs were so rare. He chose an egg that was creamy ivory with golden-orange striations running through it. I was about to say something when the Phoenix spoke.
“Have you made your choice then, black tiger?”
Kishan nodded.
“You know not what you have taken, but I will give you this egg on the condition that you guard it all of your days and that it will remain in your family. When you take it from this place, it will change from an egg into a truth stone, and it will never grow to become a Phoenix. When held, you will recognize if those around you speak the truth and you will be able to see into their hearts. It will grant you wisdom if you seek it to be of aid to others, but if you use it to manipulate or exploit, the heart of the Phoenix will destroy you. This is a very precious gift.”
Kishan inclined his head. “Thank you and I . . . apologize for trying to kill you.”
“Protect the egg, and I will accept your apology . . . eventually.” The Phoenix shifted on its talons and settled on the ledge. “And now you, white tiger.”
Ren replied, “I would ask to take Kelsey with me.”
The bird laughed musically while Kishan frowned. “You are wise to ask for the girl, for I was sorely tempted to keep her with me. I would have enjoyed having a companion as would the other Phoenixes, but a promise is a promise. You may take her with you. It is now your turn, my dear. What would you like for your prize?”
