Free Legend of the Great Dragon by J. F. Jenkins Page B

Ichi had been talking with the Lady Oceina. He couldn't figure out if Mikko was happy or sad to see him leave. Her emotions were so difficult to read and she had so many curious scents coming off of her: lavender, plumb, salt, wine. They were all emotional smells he wasn't familiar with, nor been instructed on.
    He continued to keep the smile on his face, wanting Mikko to see his optimistic side. “Try not to miss me too much, okay? I won't be gone for too long and I would hate for your world to be shattered over only a few days.”
    Mikko rolled her eyes, and the Lady Oceina giggled.
    â€œYou are your father's son,” the Lady mused.
    â€œI suppose I'll have to find a way to see you again soon,” Mikko added. “We're going back home to Terran at the end of the week.”
    â€œMaybe that'll be the first place I go to visit on my journey around the world.” He met her gaze with his own and soaked in the beauty of her amethyst eyes.
    She nodded. “Until then, I'll walk you back to your hotel. There's something I need to do in town today.”
    â€œLike?” her grandmother asked.
    Mikko shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “There's a park I'm searching for. It was in one of my dreams. I'm not sure where it is, but I think I'll know it when I see it.”
    â€œThere's a park near here,” Ichi said. “Maybe you were dreaming about a familiar place. Sometimes being in certain locations sparks memories, and we dream about those things in our subconscious.”
    â€œI've never been to the park by here,” she whispered.
    The Lady Oceina placed one of her hands on Mikko's arm and rubbed it gently. “Because that was the place where your great-grandfather was murdered.”
    Both of Ichi's eyebrows rose at that news. He'd never been told much about anything pertaining to the Great War. Only that his father had helped resolved it and that there had been a lot of unnecessary violence and drama between the Oceina and Inero. He watched as Mikko's skin seemed to pale about three shades.
    â€œMurdered by Grandpa Matthias.” Mikko held herself. “I understand now. Excuse me.” She exited the room briskly, leaving nothing more than a breeze as she passed Ichi.
    â€œShe loved Matthias,” the Lady said softly. “That truth has always been a difficult one for her to accept. She has not had an easy life.”
    â€œIt doesn't seem like it,” Ichi said.
    â€œIt'll only get harder.”
    â€œGotcha.” What could he say to such a statement? He couldn't flat out agree with her. Ichi hated the idea of anyone, least of all Mikko, only living a rough life full of pain and turmoil. At the same time, he knew first hand that life wasn't easy. Nobody got a break, ever. It was easier to come to terms with the fact that life would probably be more pain than pleasure earlier on. Of all the people he'd met in his fairly short life span, he wanted Mikko to be the exception to that cruel rule more than anyone else.
    The Lady patted his back. “Please take care of yourself. I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm worried.”
    â€œI promise to do my best.” He gave her a hug. “I'll make sure to send word to you that I made it back okay.”
    â€œThank you.”
    With slight hesitation, he pulled away from her and went further down the hall to his guestroom. He didn't like leaving her, which was strange because Ichi tended to not care much for anyone he barely knew. I need to go back. I completely forgot that it's been so much longer than it should have been. The human expansion could already be upon my doorstep. I need to clean house.
    Waiting inside of his guestroom, sitting on his bed, was Mikko. Ichi stopped in the doorway, startled to find her. Even more so when he noticed she was crying.
    â€œAre you okay?” he asked.
    â€œYes, these are happy tears.” She scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm . Mikko shook