The Dragon’s Promise (Six Crimson Cranes, #2)

by Elizabeth Lim

I didn’t believe him. He had been in a mood all day, starting with when he’d come for me onshore. He’d barely greeted my brothers, had ignored Takkan entirely….

Somebody's jealouuuus

I had promised Seryu I would bring Raikama’s pearl to his grandfather…. I just never said I’d let him keep it.

Aww is Seryu going to be our enemy

Look what you did, Kiki scolded the pearl. She sat on it, lounging in the crack between its edges with her wings spanned out. I could be back in Kiata, lolling on silk pillows and chasing fireflies. But look where we are! Shiori’s stuck in this horrible dragon dungeon—and you, you’re no closer to finding your owner.

Haha

“Yet you act as though he’s the one who gave you a piece of his heart. As if he saved you from drowning in the Sacred Lake.”

Jeaaaalousyyyy

“So,” Seryu spoke, more quietly than I’d ever heard him before. “Do you think you could try…to carve a place in your heart for me?”

AWW SERYU THEY COULD NEVER MAKE ME HATE YOU

“I thought you were my friend, Seryu. I trusted you.” Seryu’s laugh had little humor to it. “I know,” he said, and as he let go of me, a wave of water swept me off my feet and carried me deep into the Dragon King’s palace.

Poor guyyyy

I cannot say. She spun me to face the mirror. But he will desire the pearl even more than Nazayun. Present it at the ceremony, and he will come.

Seryu?

“Would it be so bad, staying with me?” he said quietly. “I’d make sure you were safe. I could do that for you. I’ve always done that for you. I deserve a fair chance, don’t I?”

YOU POOR BOY

It was too late. The potion had lodged itself into her paper throat, making her long neck gleam blue. The silvery-gold flourishes on her wings faded, like blotted ink, as she teetered on the edge of the bowl and fell back into my sleeve. Against the crook of my elbow, I felt her go still.

Wait does that mean Kiki and Seryu....?

His red eyes didn’t waver, but they slanted to the chip of pearl around my neck. The fragment of his dragon heart. He sounded tired. “Trust me.”

Seryu you deserve better :(

Without waiting for my answer, he pushed me inside the whirlpool—an instant before lightning struck him in the back.

NOT SERYU

“If only you could see how uncomfortable you look. I was joking.” He let out a breath through his nose, and his seriousness fled. “There’s only so much rejection a dragon can take. You’re lucky our hearts are stronger than human ones.”

Seryuuuu :(

“I have to know,” he said quietly. “If not for him, did I ever have a chance?”

SERYUUUUU

“Takkan and I are connected by the strands of fate.” I expected him to be jealous, but the corners of his mouth lifted. “Then I’ll have to find you when you’re reborn—before your strands have time to knot with his again.” His red eyes twinkled.

WAHHH

Hurry up and go in before you ruin the surprise. I want Radish Boy to fall off his chair when he sees you.

You and me both, Kiki

Takkan’s hand rose from his side, and he tousled the ends of my silver hair. “I’m glad you changed your mind,” he said softly. “More glad than you can know.”

This girl doesn't deserve any of the two men lol

“Don’t begin your life together with a lie,” said Hasho quietly. “Tell him what you saw. Whether or not he comes should be his decision.”

Smart brother

“My wife has no place in this conversation,” Andahai said. “She’s in a delicate state.” “A delicate state? What’s wrong with her?” “Nothing,” said my eldest brother too sharply. “My wife’s well-being is a private affair. Takkan’s involvement concerns all of us.”

She is definitely pregnant

“You love Takkan,” he said matter-of-factly, like he’d just informed me that all of us were breathing air. “We can’t always protect those we love by shutting them out. That was Raikama’s mistake.”

Another smart brother

“He told me everything,” she replied. “About the bowl on your head, the pearl Raikama left you, your journey to Ai’long. But ever since that awful dinner, he’s been withdrawn. I know he’s trying to protect me, especially since…” Her voice drifted, her hands touching her belly.

I knew it

“Incentive to actually show up this time.”

Hahaha

“I will not marry Bushi’an Takkan,” I declared in my most impudent tone.

Bruh

“Are you all right?” “Am I all right?” I eyed him in disbelief. “Are you all right? I’ve just mortally humiliated you in front of the entire court. Again. Shouldn’t you be furious with me?” “No,” said Takkan simply. “You didn’t run out on me. You ran out with me. It’s quite different.”

This girl doesn't deserve Takkan at alllll lol

“Your brothers warned me that a lifetime with you would mean plenty of jabs to my pride. But my love for you is far greater than pride, Shiori. Far greater than anything.”

But why

And if there’s any sign of Bandur, come tell me immediately, I instructed my bird. She gave a sharp nod. Oh, don’t worry. You’ll hear my shrieks from across the village.

Ily Kiki

“My memory is not untouched. But yes, as I said before, I remember more than most.”

That's awfully convenient

“He was executed yesterday,”

Wow