Blue Dragon

never have a chance to be whole.’
    ‘I’ll find a way to change her back,’ Simone said fiercely.
    The King just smiled indulgently at her.
    I rose. I hesitated, watching the King.
    ‘There isn’t much of a decision to make, Emma,’ he said gently.
    ‘You are quite correct,’ I said. ‘If I were to stay with you instead of being with Simone when she needs me, then neither Xuan Wu nor I would ever forgive me. We would never put our needs before hers. There’s no decision to make at all.’
    I pulled the remaining black jade earring out of my ear and passed it to him. He held one hand above it and the diamond post floated out of the black jade coin. He returned the diamond to me without a word.
    ‘How will you get me home, sweetheart?’ I said.
    ‘Hold my hand,’ Simone said. ‘I’ll take you home.’
    ‘I can’t hold your hand, Simone. You know what I am.’
    ‘They’ve done something to you, Emma, and we’re going to take you home and fix it.’ She held out her hand. ‘It’s okay. You know we can touch things without hurting them when we want to.’
    I trusted her. I reached out and took her hand. I felt my shape dissolve, but held her hand anyway. Simone’s eyes widened. She dropped my hand and I returned to normal.
    ‘You looked like a Snake Mother, Emma.’
    ‘I know, sweetheart,’ I said. ‘If you want to leave me here I would understand.’
    ‘Bye, King,’ Simone said. ‘Don’t come and visit us. You’re not welcome.’
    ‘I’m sure I’m not, Highness,’ the King said with a wry smile. He took my hands, pulled me close and kissed me on the cheek. ‘I would forsake my kingdom for you, you know,’ he whispered into my ear.
    I pulled away and he didn’t attempt to hold me.
    ‘I have something for you,’ he said. ‘A gift.’
    He held out his hand and a braided lock of long, black hair appeared in it.
    I suddenly found it very difficult to breathe.
    ‘Take it,’ he said. ‘Remember.’
    I took the hair out of his hand. It was smooth and silken. I raised it to my face. It smelled of the sea.
    ‘Thank you,’ I whispered.
    ‘You are most welcome,’ he said. ‘Remember: any time.’ He shrugged. ‘Come and visit, I’d love to see you.Until he returns, that is. After that you probably won’t be able to come for coffee.’
    ‘Where’s Leo?’ Simone said loudly. ‘I want him to come too. I know he’s here somewhere.’
    ‘Leo is in the holding cells of Court Ten,’ the King said. ‘I have no control over the workings of the Courts, Princess. They are incredibly busy right now; they have more Immortals there than any time in recent history. The Celestial himself is managing this particular case. I suggest you take it up with him.’
    ‘The Celestial?’ Simone said.
    ‘He means the Jade Emperor, Simone,’ I said.
    ‘Oh,’ Simone said, very softly. She straightened. ‘Okay, I’ll go and talk to him.’
    ‘You do that,’ the King said.
    He picked up the sword that Wong had dropped. He moved a few paces, collected the scabbard and put the sword away. He held it out to Simone. ‘This is yours, I believe, Princess.’
    Simone didn’t move.
    The King pushed the sword towards her. ‘This is Dark Heavens. And until your father returns, my dear, it belongs to you.’
    Simone silently moved forward and accepted the blade.
    The King gestured towards me. ‘The Murasame is yours. Use it well. I won’t attempt to touch it, but you can call it when you are home and it will come to you. You are its master.’
    ‘Come on, Emma,’ Simone said, and held out her hand.
    I didn’t take her hand. ‘One thing before I go, King.’
    ‘Hmm?’ His gorgeous face lit up.
    ‘Do you know what I am?’
    The King looked at me blankly, then roared with laughter. He fell over his knees laughing. He pulledhimself up, still chuckling. He wiped his eyes. ‘Oh, my.’ He studied me, a huge grin on his face. ‘Oh, dear.’ He shook his head. ‘The answer to your question, my Lady, is: yes. I do know what you are.’ He chuckled again. ‘The irony is superb. Goodbye.’
    Simone and I were back in the living room of the Peak apartment.
    Three green and gold baby dragons gambolled on the floor, rolling Gold’s child between them, all of them squealing with delight. Jade, Gold and Amy watched them indulgently from the couches. The windows were fixed and the furniture had been restored.
    When they saw Simone and me, they rushed over and embraced me tearfully. Then they all