Blue Dragon

‘Don’t leave me.’
    ‘I’m not going anywhere.’
    ‘Find a couple of oven mitts,’ John said.
    I scrabbled through the cupboards until Ah Yat shoved a pair of mitts into my hand. I accepted them with a smile. She was the only one who knew where anything was in the kitchen.
    ‘Gold, if I take you out now, do you think you could make it to Hawaii with Amy?’ John said.
    Gold didn’t make a sound.
    ‘Gold. No,’ Amy said, almost moving to touch him in the fire.
    ‘I think I can do it,’ Gold whispered.
    ‘Okay,’ John said. ‘Emma, is the window still open?’
    ‘Yep.’
    ‘Amy, put the mitts on and change.’
    Amy transformed, the mitts looking very strange on her black dragon form.
    ‘Okay,’ John said. ‘I’ll turn off the flame, you grab Gold, and go. Go as fast as you can.’
    Amy nodded.
    John turned off the burner. Amy grabbed Gold and ran for it. She flew through the living room, out the window, and disappeared quickly.
    ‘They’ll make it,’ I said softly.
    ‘I know they will,’ John said.
    ‘How long will he be gone?’
    ‘If she can get him into the volcano before he expires, then he should be back in a couple of days.’
    ‘That soon?’
    ‘Yep.’ John smiled. ‘I don’t think I can go back to sleep now. Too much excitement.’
    ‘Well, if you’re not going back to sleep then put some clothes on,’ I said. ‘I was doing a set in the training room. How about some long sword?’
    ‘Sounds good to me,’ he said as he headed down the hall back to his room. He retied his hair again, the muscles moving under the smooth skin of his back.
    ‘I changed my mind,’ I said loudly.
    He stopped and turned. ‘Hm?’
    ‘Don’t bother putting any clothes on. I think I like you like that.’
    He smiled and shrugged. ‘Okay. Whatever. Long sword.’
    I followed him into the training room. ‘“Whatever”? You’ve been around Michael too much.’
    ‘Whatever. Long sword.’

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
    T he next Saturday the Tiger met us at the outdoor arena and all of us leaned on the fence to watch Michael take Star over the jumps.
    ‘You’ve taught him well,’ John said.
    ‘Natural talent,’ the Tiger said. ‘One of the best. His mother can ride too.’ He glanced at me. ‘You still don’t want one for yourself? A new crop of Arabs is coming through. I could give you one, keep you occupied after Ah Wu’s gone.’
    ‘I think I’ll have enough to worry about,’ I said without looking away from Michael. ‘When the Celestials come back I’ll have a lot to do.’
    There was a clatter behind us and we turned. Some riders were passing us on the concrete path and their horses had spooked at the Tiger. The riders battled for control as the horses danced sideways, trying to get away.
    The Tiger concentrated and the horses immediately calmed and walked past placidly. We turned back to the arena.
    Star refused one of the jumps and Michael went forward over his head, crashing into the sand. Star pulled back, but Michael still had the reins, and hehopped up, brushed himself off, and waved to us. He vaulted back onto Star and turned him to take the jump again.
    The Tiger concentrated on Michael. Michael waved his hand over his shoulder, then turned the horse and took him easily over the jump.
    ‘He is extremely insubordinate sometimes,’ the Tiger said with amusement.
    ‘Can I have a pony?’ Simone said. ‘Can we try again?’
    ‘That’s a good idea,’ I said. ‘John? She doesn’t have school right now, a pony would keep her busy.’
    ‘I’ll bring a few to choose from next time I come,’ the Tiger said.
    ‘After,’ John said.
    ‘Okay,’ the Tiger said.
    We were all silent for a while.
    Michael finished. He dropped the reins and Star lowered his head, blowing heavily. Michael rode him back to us at a walk.
    ‘Take him up and get the mafoo to hose him down and give him a roll in the sand,’ the Tiger said. ‘Then have a shower and meet us up at the terrace.’
    ‘My Lord,’ Michael said.
    ‘You’re not hurt?’ I said.
    ‘Nah, just a few bruises. Nothing serious. Already healed them.’
    ‘Meet us up at the terrace. Battle plans,’ John said.
    Michael nodded and turned the horse to the gate. We went to the restaurant at the top of the country club. Leo waited for us in the shade. We sat around the table he had reserved, Simone with us. Everybody was a part of this.
    We waited until the waiter had taken our orders and moved away.
    ‘When is the Lady