Page 3 of The Dragon's Promise

A what?

The jellyfish loomed over Kiki, scrutinizing her intently.

My bird covered her head with a wing. Oh gods, she moaned. Let me faint again.

To Kiki’s relief, the jellyfish deemed her unworthy of its attention and returned to my satchel. Its tentacles tugged hard at the straps, but I held on as tight as I could.

“Sting me all you like,” I said. “You are not taking this.”

The jellyfish hissed and bared its poisonous barbs.

“Away!” Seryu barked. His tail lashed back and forth, creating innumerable ripples, like tiny tempests. With a swipe of his claw, there came a fierce rip in the water.

While the jellyfish struggled against the sudden current, Seryu slung me onto his back and dove into a jungle of coral, swimming for the crystal spires ahead. He tossed my knife onto my lap. “Really, Shiori? This is what you bring to Ai’long?”

I gave a careless shrug. “Did you think I’d come unarmed?”

“You’ve met my grandfather before. This little dagger of yours would hardly be a splinter.”

“Splinters can still hurt” was all I said, tucking the blade back into my sash. “What were those jellyfish?”

“Patrols.”

“For what?”

“Trespassers and assassins.”

He didn’t elaborate, a signal to let it go. But I was too curious. “There was magic about them.”

“Most of Grandfather’s subjects have…a certain ability. It helps fend off those who try to enter Ai’long without an invitation.”

“But why search me? I have an invitation.”

“They were looking for your stepmother’s pearl, obviously,” said Seryu testily. “The jellyfish have a taste for dark magic. They also specialize in sensing deception.”

A wave of unease fell over me. “Deception?”

“Yes, like that steel needle you didn’t deign to tell me you brought.” Seryu’s voice hardened. “Worry not. Your time in Ai’long will be short; you won’t have to experience our court.”

That wasn’t what worried me, but I kept silent and glanced at Kiki.

She’d swooned on my palm, and her wings were wilted into a dejected lump. Thankfully, she hadn’t been paying attention to my conversation with Seryu. I loved her dearly, but keeping secrets wasn’t one of her gifts.

Are we nearly there? she moaned. I should have stayed on land. I feel seasick.

“No one gets seasick underwater.”

Kiki wrinkled her beak, letting out a theatrical sigh. Can’t you tell the dragon to swim with more care? Even whales move more daintily than he does.

“You tell him. He’s been surly all day.”

Why? Her brow crinkled. Is he upset with you?

“Of course not.”

Is it the jellyfish? Gods, Shiori—do you think they know? Maybe you should tell him you plan on keeping Raikama’s p—

My eyes went wide, and I stuffed her into my sleeve before Seryu heard.

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