Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Ryu stared up at the barren Sakura tree. The pit in his stomach at seeing it this wilted frightened him for his village’s future.
I haven’t been gone that long, have I?
When he’d left, a quarter of the pink leaves had remained. But now, only nine petals remained, hanging on for dear life. He was frightened to even breathe, afraid it would cause some more to fall.
The connection the two beings shared was almost gone. He was able to feel the tether between them stronger when he placed his calloused hand on the trunk of the tree. He felt as if he not only let the magical sapling down, but his father and the whole village.
His pride of letting Eira choose was costing him everything, but he couldn’t imagine going back to her and breaking his promise, either.
With footsteps approaching behind him, he could practically hear the disappointment before he even spoke. “You’re back, and without a fated mate.”
Ryu cleared his throat before looking back at his father, facing him, knowing nothing he was about to say would go well.
“I found her.”
“You did?” Relief flooded his older features before revelation finally dawned. “Ryu, why is the tree still dying, then?”
“I—” He didn’t know what to say, knowing his father would never understand. “She’s special, Father. I can’t …”
“Touch her?” he asked, like it was hard. The disappointment in his voice wasn’t because of his son but in himself, as he felt responsible for not letting Ryu leave the village. Now all the blame was put on his son’s shoulders. “You simply touch the girl, son. I would have thought that would be easy for you. What does her being special have anything to do with that?”
“It’s not that easy,” he stated, his fear that his father would never understand confirmed. “She’s been hurt in the past. I don’t want to be the cause of any more pain.”
Tatsu knew exactly what he meant. “No, your pride wants you to talk her into bed, which I’m sure you need time to do with a girl like that. But time is a luxury you don’t have—none of us have.”
Ryu stood there, unable to find the words. His father’s disappointment was not only valid but harsh to take.
As if on cue, a precious bloom began to fall, dancing in the wind to the ground.
“I wondered why the cherry blossoms suddenly started to fall so fast. It’s because you found her and are practically mocking the gifts we receive.” A displeased Tatsu couldn’t even look at his son anymore as he started to walk away. “Is your pride worth the village? Or maybe it’s your pride wanting you to be the last Tei so the songs that will be sung of dragons all mention your name.”
He violently shook his head, unbelieving his father would even say something so blasphemous. “That isn’t true—”
“Prove it …” his father hissed as another cherry blossom fell.
Alone, Ryu stood, looking up at the dying tree in defeat.
Seven remained.
“Come in,” he heard her say when he approached the open door.
Entering, he found the old seeress sitting at the small table with a smile on her face.
“Pretty little thing, isn’t she?”
“Yes,” Ryu agreed, sitting down across from her. “Did you know she was so close?”
“Perhaps.” The twinkle in her blind eyes sparkled. “But Eira wasn’t ready to be found yet.”
“And …” He swallowed nervously, knowing time was of the essence. “Is she now?”
The old witch cackled. “Well, you found her, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but she’s afraid to be tou—”
“I warned you she was broken,” she cut him off. “That you both were.”
Ryu didn’t need to be reminded of that, even though he didn’t feel broken at all.
“How am I supposed to touch her, then?”
Reaching over, she patted his hand to assure him, “In time.”
“I don’t have time,” he said in frustration, smacking his fist down on the table. “There are only a few leaves left.”
“Is that why you came here, then? To see how much time you have?”
“No.” He calmed himself. “I came because of Eira’s nightmares.”
She raised an unruly brow. “Oh?”
When she didn’t appear to know what he was talking about, he continued, “She told me she’s having nightmares that are not hers.”
Itako thought for several moments, mumbling as if she were listening to something around her, but Ryu didn’t hear anything.
Getting up, the blind lady scurried around the place as if she could see perfectly. When she opened up cabinets, it appeared she was looking for something while she continued to talk to herself.
“What is it? What does it mean?” he asked, standing to follow her around once he realized she knew something.
“You and Eira are soulmates,” she began as she carried on looking. “When you met, you must’ve sparked memories of her past life.”
Confusedly, he asked, “Why her and not me?” When she went quiet and didn’t want to answer, he growled out, “Why?”