Free The Silver Moon Elm by MaryJanice Davidson

through it. Anyway, it’s not like you had to hold your breath. The ring was protecting you.”
    “Thanks for explaining it all so clearly. Are you going to fly us anywhere now, or do we just soak here for a while?”
    Jennifer imitated her mother’s voice. “Watch your tone, young lady, or you’ll be swimming to shore.”
    “Hmmph.”
    They were on shore shortly, and under the gently swaying moon elms Elizabeth changed into dry jeans, a sweater, and a suede jacket.
    “I guess it’s a pretty casual outfit for a diplomatic mission,” Jennifer apologized as her mother rummaged for a scarf and gloves.
    “It’ll work fine, honey. Where’s your dad?”
    “I imagine he’s been watching the moon for the signal from the venerables. He should be here soon.”
    He was indeed, and watching him put his wings around her mom as she stared at the wonderful world around her was a sight Jennifer knew she’d never forget.
    “Hey, Liz.”
    “So this is the place.”
    “This is the place.”
    Jennifer felt awkward standing there. She took a short walk to give them some privacy, and by the time she came back, Elizabeth was wiping her face with the back of a glove. But they seemed ready to go.
    “You need a ride?” she offered her mother again.
    “Is it far? I’d rather walk.” Elizabeth turned up the collar of her suede jacket and walked over to a moon elm touched with traces of lichen. The cerulean glow lit up her glove as she softly touched the flakes and looked up at the vast network of slender branches. When she turned to her husband, her inscrutable expression was back in place.
    “Have you ever seen the silver one here?”
    He stepped up to his wife and held her hand. “No. I’ve never seen the silver one in this world.”
    Jennifer cocked her head at the exchange. Silver?
    “These are beautiful anyway,” Elizabeth said. “Come on, let’s walk.”
    It was a little awkward for Jonathan—creeper dragons were not made for long walks. But they both agreed it was important for Elizabeth to feel as comfortable as possible—and she certainly felt more comfortable with both feet on the ground.
    “I’ve ridden your father exactly three times,” she pointed out to Jennifer. “Always more his idea than mine.”
    “Uh—”
    “I enjoyed myself every time, but it was a relief when he let me get off.”
    Jennifer shook her head as if warding off a bad odor. “Please don’t say things like that. It stings my eyes.”
    The buzzing of fire hornets grew fainter as they went farther west.
    “It’s just so—so—” Her mother groped for the right word. “Stunning. The sky and the grass and the air is so clear, it’s like wine you can breathe. I wonder if our earth used to smell like this? Before people screwed it up.”
    “I’m glad you—”
    “And the ground! It’s like walking on a mattress that goes on forever. And you know the very best, most wonderful thing?”
    Jennifer cocked her head in amazement. Her mother, at this moment, the stern Dr. Georges-Scales, was glowing like a teen on prom night. “What, Mom?”
    “That you and your father have finally shared it with me.” Impulsively, she hugged Jennifer and her husband.
    Jonathan looked at Jennifer with the simple gratitude you showed for a person who pleased the love of your life. Of course, Jennifer realized, Mom would never have been allowed here, if it hadn’t been for me.
    They rounded the edge of a grove and Jennifer said, “We should be there in a few more minutes. Now, Mom, there’s something you should know about some of these dragons. There’s this old dasher who—”
    Suddenly she stopped.
    “Oh,” Jonathan said. Then he coughed. Jennifer couldn’t even manage a cough.
    There were two adult dashers there, drinking at a slow-moving stream. One, Jennifer had never seen before. Her scales were nearly black, with peach accents under the wings. Her tail had two prongs, like Jennifer’s, but it also had spikes running down both branches.