Kai Drakon's Arc

Chapter 12 of 30

The morning after the proposal, Azure wanted to tell people. Kai walked with her into Mosswood and they knocked on doors. The baker heard first. Then the smith. Then the woman who bought her peppers. By noon the tavern knew, and by dusk the whole town did. Azure kept her hand out of her apron pocket now. She let the ring show. They set the wedding for the end of the week. Kai wrote one letter. He sent it east with a trained falcon to his cousin, the only family he still spoke to. He did not expect an answer in time. Three days later a reply came back tied to the same bird's leg. His cousin was already on the road with his wife and their two boys. They arrived the morning of the wedding. Kai met them at the gate. His cousin was shorter than him, with the same orange eyes and a plain human face. The two boys stared at Kai's tail. The younger one reached for it. Kai let him. "You found her," his cousin said. "I did." "Took you long enough." Kai brought them to the cavern. Azure was already dressed. She wore a pale linen dress and no shoes. Her tail moved behind her when she saw the children. She knelt down to their height without being asked. "You're the boys," she said. "You have horns," the older one said. "So does he." "His are smaller." Azure looked up at Kai. "She's right." Kai's cousin laughed. His wife handed Azure a wrapped bundle. Dried apples from their orchard. Azure took it with both hands and thanked her. They held the wedding in the pasture. Ire from the tavern spoke the words. Kael stood at Kai's shoulder. Obsidian came in a clean shirt and stood near the back with his arms folded. Victor came late, holding his daughter, Sable at his side. Half the town crowded along the fence. Kai took Azure's hands. He said what he had practiced. He said he would not leave. Azure said fewer words. She said she would keep him. Ire tied a cord around their joined wrists and cut it once. They kissed. The pasture cheered. After, the two boys chased Azure's tail through the grass while she pretended not to notice. Kai's cousin found him near the fence with a cup in his hand. "You're staying," his cousin said. "For good this time." "For good." "Mother would have liked her." Kai did not answer. He watched Azure lift the younger boy off the ground by his ankles. The boy screamed and laughed. That night the cavern was quiet again. Azure sat on the edge of the bed and turned the ring on her finger. She was not crying this time. "They leave tomorrow," she said. "They do." "I want one." Kai looked at her. She looked back, steady. "A child," she said.