Chapter 292 - Soulgazing (2/2)

”Of course,” said Li. ”I am sorry I have been gone so long.”

”No, no,” said Tia. ”I just worried because big pumpkin run away. Then I sense and hear big explosion. Everyone else scared, but I worry for papa. Broke through pumpkin to see you.”

”Tia, I appreciate the concern, I do,” said Li as he patted Tia's head. ”But breaking the Vukanovi puts the others in danger. They may not handle the fog as well as I do. Or you do, apparently.”

”Snake lady cover hole with sand,” said Tia. ”She told me to go if I worry, so I did.”

”Ah, well then, I suppose that is fine,” said Li. It would appear that in Li's absence, Asala took the role closest to being second in command, though likely, she made decisions with Old Thane.

”Papa?” said Lira. She narrowed her eyes at Li not in enmity this time, but more in curiosity. She looked to Tia. ”Little dragon, you say that he, that abomination, is your father?”

Tia broke off from hugging Li and swaggered up to Lira with fangs bared and c.h.e.s.t puffed out. ”Papa is not a…a…whatever that is! Not mean word.” Tia's expression changed into wonder as she quickly settled her gaze on Lira's one remaining horn. ”You are dragon? Like me?”

”Like you,” nodded Lira as she knelt down to Tia's height. Her rainbow eyes looked over Tia, and then stared off to Li. ”What are you playing at with her?”

”I am not playing at anything,” said Li, a little bit annoyed now. Then he got an idea.

He came up to Tia's side and shifted back to his human form before taking her hand. ”Tia, it looks like papa and this dragon have gotten off to a bad start. We do not understand each other. Can papa ask you to see into her soul with him so that she can see ours?

If words will not work, then I know that will.”

Tia nodded and looked to Lira for permission. ”Is that okay?”

Lira nodded to Tia. ”I suppose I do not have much of a choice as I am now. Go on, then, little one.”

Tia came close to Lira, and her eyes, one pitch black and one glowing green with life, met Lira's eyes of radiant multi-colored iridescence. As the eyes met, the molten and battered landscape around them faded away, into darkness.

And it was then that Li glimpsed into the soul of Liravalennan, daughter of Val - the highest and oldest among all dragons.