"So, is hanging out with the dragon making you stronger or what?" Grace Zhu grinned, teasing.
Little Cutie bobbed its head, all proud.
"Alright, I'll write him another note—you're my delivery snake again!"
Little Cutie nodded and scurried off, coming back with a brush clamped in its mouth for Grace.
Grace Zhu wrote: General Evan Xiao, thanks for letting my antlered snake train with your dragon. But it's totally innocent! If you have something to say, just tell me—don't make it run errands all day. Thanks!
Evan Xiao was curled up on her shoulder, staring at her like he could read her mind.
Reading between the lines, Evan Xiao thought, why did it sound like she was even more annoyed?
After sending the letter, Little Cutie didn't show up again.
Instead, Louis Lin took over delivery duty.
He handed Grace a letter inviting her to General Evan Xiao's Manor the next afternoon.
Every time Grace Zhu remembered what Evan Xiao had pulled on her, she got steamed all over again.
But... she still needed Bianca Whitefan to yank off her aunt's talisman!
So, of course, she went anyway.
Evan Xiao was waiting for her at the Frostmoon Quarters.
"So what do you want this time?" Grace Zhu asked, her tone cool as ice.
"When Bianca Whitefan tested your aunt's blood, she already removed the sensing talisman," Evan Xiao explained.
Grace Zhu nodded. "Thanks, General Evan Xiao. Anything else you need from me?"
Evan Xiao didn't answer. He just picked up a big-bellied, narrow-necked jade bottle from the table and handed it to her.
"What's this supposed to be?" Grace Zhu asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Open it and see for yourself."
The bottle was sealed tight. Grace Zhu wrestled with the stopper until it popped out—and inside was... blood!
"Wait, is this... dragon blood?" Grace Zhu gasped.
Hmph! Since when did he get so good at giving people exactly what they want?
"It's my blood," Evan Xiao said calmly. "There are eighty-seven women in your family. This bottle holds eighty-seven drops of my blood. Consider it... payback."
Grace Zhu stared at the bottle in her hand, completely stunned.
Then she noticed the bandage on his wrist, and her face turned pale. "Evan Xiao, you can't just 'repay' with blood like this!"
Seriously, is this even allowed?
Evan Xiao frowned, honestly at a loss for what to do next.
"Are you an idiot or what?"
"I—"
Evan Xiao's words cut off when Grace Zhu suddenly threw herself into his arms.
"From now on, you're not allowed to hurt yourself! Not even half a drop of blood!" Grace Zhu hugged him tight.
Evan Xiao looked down at her, feeling the ache in her heart.
He'd thought she was upset for her family, but... she was upset for him?
He smiled and hugged her back. "As long as you're not mad at me, that's all I care about."
"And don't go stealing stuff off the dragon for me anymore! If you tick it off, we're doomed!" Grace Zhu warned.
"Don't worry, I won't," Evan Xiao promised.
"Are you really that close with the dragon? It actually let you pluck its mane?" Grace Zhu asked, curiosity bubbling up.
"Yeah. We're pretty close," Evan Xiao replied, sounding smug.
"So what's your relationship, exactly?" Grace Zhu pressed, playful.
"Good friends, I guess!"
"Good friends? How good is good?" Grace Zhu teased.
"Well... it's helped me a ton. Even took me flying way up in the sky once..." Evan Xiao bragged.
"No way! It actually took you flying?" Grace Zhu's eyes sparkled.
Evan Xiao nodded, looking totally pleased with himself.
"You know, when I was little, I heard storytellers talk about the 'Dream Dragon Chronicle,' and I used to dream about riding a dragon and soaring through the clouds!" Grace Zhu said, eyes shining. "Do you think it could take me flying, too?"
Evan Xiao grinned. "If you're not scared, it'll take you."