I made no promise. “IfIwin, you take me toyourpalace and throw a banquet in my honor. Same rules.”
His grin faded, and he swept a hand through his long green hair. “I don’t know if Grandfather would approve of that.”
“It’s only fair. Do you think my father would approve of me bringing a dragon boy to dinner?”
“Approve? He should be honored.”
Honored?I drew a sharp breath. “No one speaks about the emperor that way.”
“It’s true,” said the dragon with a shrug. “Humans revere dragons, but it’s not the same the other way around. It’d be like I brought a pig to dinner.”
“A pig!” I shot up to my feet. “I am not a pig.”
He laughed. “All right, all right. Calm down, Shiori. It’s a deal.” He pulled on my arm until I sat again.
“And this is Kiata, not A’landi—my father wouldnotrevere a dragon,” I huffed. “He despises magic—” I stopped midsentence. “How did you know my name?”
“That boy at the festival said it. Right before I trippedhim.”
“That was my brother!”
“Yes, and he seemed like a spoilsport. Aren’t you glad you chased after me instead?”
I glared at him. “Tell me your name.”
The dragon smiled, showing his pointed teeth. “I am Seryu, Prince of the Easterly Seas and most favored grandson of the Dragon King, Nazayun, Ruler of the Four Seas and Heavenly Waters.”
I rolled my eyes at how conceited he sounded. Two could play at that game.
“Shiori’anma,” I said haughtily, though he already knew it. “First daughter of Emperor Hanriyu, and most favored Princess of Kiata—Kingdom of the Nine Eternal Courts and the Holy Mountains of Fortitude.”
Seryu looked amused. “So your father despises magic, eh? What will he think ofyou?”
I shifted sideways, uncomfortable. “What about me? I…I have no magic. Thereisno magic in Kiata.”
“Magic israrein Kiata,” Seryu corrected. “Except for gods and dragons, of course. Oh, its sources may be dried up, but it’s an element natural to the world, and even the gods can’t eraseeverytrace. That’s why once in a rare moon, a Kiatan is born able to wield what is left. A human—like you. Don’t deny it. I saw that paper bird of yours.”
I swallowed hard. “Kiki is gone. My stepmother…destroyed her.”
Seryu gestured at the pocket where I kept Kiki’s pieces. “You can bring her back.”
He stated it so matter-of-factly—the way I’d tell a cook that his shrimps were perfectly fried or his yams were well baked—that I blinked, my lips parting with surprise. “I can? No.No.” I shook my head. “I’m done with magic.”
“What, don’t you want to become an all-powerful enchanter?” He lowered his voice. “Or are you afraid your powers will corrupt you, and turn you into a demon?”
“No,” I retorted. I sighed, reciting, “Without magic, Kiata is safe. Without magic, there are no demons.”
“You do know what’s in the Holy Mountains of Fortitude, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.” The mountains were right behind the palace; I saw them every day.
“Thousands and thousands of demons,” Seryu replied conspiratorially, “and all the magic that your gods asked us dragons to help them seal up. Your emperor shouldreverethe beings who helped to make his kingdom safe. Whokeephis kingdom safe.”
“The gods and the sentinels keep Kiata safe,” I said. “Dragons are too busy gambling—and hoarding their pearls.”
Seryu cackled. “Is that what they tell you now? Don’t teach a dragon history, Princess, especially not magic history.”
“Don’t teach a human about our gods,” I countered. “Are you even supposed to be here? The gods promised to keep to heaven after they took magic away from Kiata. Didn’t the dragons say they’d keep to their lakes?”
