'Lord Eon, I am the royal physician,' the sfnall man said, his bow a jerky dip from the waist.
'His Imperial Majesty sends you a precious tonic to assist in your recovery' He waved the eunuch with the tray forwards. 'It was presented as a gift to our Gracious Highness from those foreign devils he allows into our city'
The eunuch dropped to one knee and offered the goblet. His face was puffy with an unhealthy darkness under the eyes. I could smell a faint sourness about him.
I took the goblet and peered inside. The liquid looked like glossy mud.
'It is called coco/at,' the physician said. 'His Majesty takes it every morning.'
T just drink it? Like tea?'
'Yes, my lord. It will be most beneficial after your long fast. For the time being, you must be cautious in your food and drink. We do not want to startle your body I will have the kitchens prepare some dishes that will enhance your recovery' He looked closely at me, his dry lips set in a pucker of thought. A little bamboo and fish first, I think. Now, drink up.'
I raised the goblet. A smell, like the aftertaste of Ari's strange coffee, filled my nose just before the coco/at slicked my mouth with oily sweet velvet. I swallowed and tasted a strange bitterness at the back of my tongue. Then my jaw muscles locked in a mouth-twisting spasm.
I clenched my teeth, waiting for the ache to pass. The drink was sweeter than honey and strangely soothing. I took a larger sip. This time the bitterness was hardly noticeable in the creaminess that coated my mouth and throat. When I had drained the cup, it felt as though I had eaten a whole meal of sweetings. I belched. Even the return was delicious.
The physician took the empty goblet and nodded approvingly 'I have been informed that your skin is no longer dangerous to the touch. Therefore I shall examine you.' He grabbed the edge of the sheet.
'No!' I tightened my hold on the cover. 'I don't want to be examined.' I ducked away from his hands, but he caught my wrist in a bony grip.
'But you must,' he said. 'I have to make my report to His Majesty'
'Lord Eon is well,' my master said from the doorway 'That is your report, Physician.'
'Master!' I wanted to run to him, but the physician was still holding my wrist. I pulled it out of his grasp. ''You're here.' I couldn't stop the tremble of relief in my voice.
'Of course I am here, Lord Eon,' my master said, emphasising the title with a brief smile. His face was flushed with an inner excitement that was barely controlled. He walked over to the bed, crowding the physician until the smaller man took a reluctant step back.
'Who are you?' the physician demanded.
My master stared at him for a moment then turned to me. 'I came as soon as I could, my lord,'
he said. 'How do you feel?'
'I feel…' I faltered. My master was bowing to me. I pulled the sheet up higher. 'I feel well, Heuris Brannon,' I finally said, stumbling over his name.
'There you are, Physician,' my master said. 'Lord Eon is well. He gives you his permission to leave. Don't you, Lord Eon?'
'Yes,' I said hurriedly 'Go. Thank you.'
The physician glared at my master. 'I shall make my report to the Emperor.' He stalked out of the room, the eunuchs breaking into a shuffling trot behind him.
Rilla started to shut the door, but my master stopped her with a raised hand.
'Make sure all our guests have left the apartment, Rilla. Then go and organise Lord Eon's bath and clothing. There is much to do before we attend the banquet.'
She bowed and pulled the door closed behind her.
We were alone.
'How do you really feel?' my master asked softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. 'This has not been an easy road for you.' He leaned over and examined the lump on my temple, his cool fingers gently pressing my skin. The smell of rice wine was on his breath.
'I am well, Master,' I said earnestly. 'Truly, I am well.'
'Good. I am glad to hear it.' He drew back, his eyes bright with triumph. 'The return of the Mirror Dragon! By the gods I knew you were special, but I never imagined such glory.' His face seemed younger, as though the fierce joy had stripped away years. 'Ido is furious, of course,' he continued. 'Not only did his dragon choose Dillon over Baret, but now he must share his Ascendancy with my candidate. I thought he would explode with rage.'
'There was a court lady here — Lady Dela — she said I was Co-Ascendant, but how can there be two Ascendant dragons?' I asked. 'I don't understand.'
My master shook his head. 'There are so many questions. The Council is in uproar. They don't know why the Mirror Dragon has suddenly returned, nor why he has returned out of his own year. The Emperor's augurs are casting for the answers, but it cannot be denied that all the other beasts bowed to your dragon during the ceremony Such unusual behaviour must mean he is Ascendant too, and that makes you co-leader of the Council. Ido does not like it, but even he cannot gainsay the Emperor and the Council majority.'
'Do you know why the Mirror Dragon has returned, Master?' I asked. 'Why he chose me?'
'No one knows, Eon,' he said. 'I think it must be your dragon sight. Your raw power brought him back. To be able to see all of the dragons is as rare as a dragon egg, itself. And for the time being, it is how the Council is explaining your ascension.'
Hesitantly, I touched his arm, needing his reassurance. 'Will it be all right, Master?'
He looked down at my hand then finally covered it with his own. 'It will be better than all right. You have done so well. We will be more powerful than even I had hoped. And if things go to plan, I will be back on the Council and finally able to hobble Ido's ambitions.' He smiled. 'No more hard times for us, Eon.'
I answered his smile, feeling my own exultation finally breaking through my fear. 'We can have sweet buns everyday' I said, delighted to see him smiling.
'Sweet buns? We can have shark fin everyday if we want it.' He grabbed my hands and stood up, swinging me off the bed. 'I am very proud of you, Eon.'
After Ranne hit me, I thought I had failed you, Master.' I returned the squeeze of his fingers. 'I thought we had lost.'
'Yes, I thought so too. But like I said, no one knows how a dragon chooses. That's why I sent you out again for the final bow. It was hard, I know, but I had to send you.'
'I didn't think I could do it. But I did.'
I felt the smock slip from my shoulder as he pulled me against his body. 'Yes, you did,' he murmured against my hair. I pressed into him, my body blindly moulding itself into his approval. His breath against my ear was like the soft press of lips. 'You've done well.'
I rested my head on his shoulder as his hands stroked my hair, my neck, the dip of my collarbone. A sharp spark of energy snapped between us, breast to hand, leaving a sickening smell like singed flesh.
And then I was standing alone, my arms still holding the moment before.
He stood a few paces back. Cradling his hand. His eyes fixed on my bared skin.
'The dragon is still in you,' he said. He lifted his fingers to his mouth, sucking away the pain.
I hugged my arms across my chest, the sting of our contact already fading. 'I'm sorry, Master.'
He shook his head. 'You will have no control over your power yet.'
'I can't really feel his presence in my mind. Is that normal?'
'It will take time to know his energy'
I nodded.
'I'll get wine,' he said, turning away 'We can make an offering to the gods.'
'I think there's wine on the bureau.' I drew up the smock. 'I'll pour some.'
'I will,' he said, striding across the room.
He was eager to move away from me. I felt for the bed and sat down, my back to the sound of him pouring wine.
'Of course, your union with the Mirror Dragon is just the beginning,' he said. 'We have much to plan. I have already laid the foundation in the Council, but you must confirm the arrangements.'
His muffled footsteps crossed the carpet towards me. I quickly stood up, moving away from the bed. He
