WangXian Forever Book 8

Chapter 42 Separation

Hui Gai was glad he had returned to the children. Wei Ying’s ducklings had disappeared and he had a feeling he knew what they were going to do, because his arrival was exactly when the three baby dragons had snuck off, quietly hooting and squealing among themselves.

Since no one else had seen them go, he figured they were safe.

But here, Li XiWang was very upset and Rumi was trying to comfort her.

He went and hugged them both. Hui Gai could feel their little bodies trembling and it was heartbreaking for him. He sensed Zago watching him, but in this, he didn't care.

Zago had to learn that it was okay to show your feelings to the ones you cared about, regardless on how they would react.

"It is time." Suanni said, his voice deep and ringing inside the minds of all present.

Shen Ling and Shen Qing grasped two corners of the bedsheet each, stretching out their wings fully.

One golden dragon with yellow eyes, his mate with the same but her body a rippling mass of silver scales. One nodded to the other and then they took off.

There was a gasp from the crowd as the sun began to rise and their scales shone blindingly at the first light. All the crowd watched as the dragons flew far away until they were nothing but a speck in the distance.

Li XiWang felt as if her heart was breaking all over again. These were two people who had shown her love in abundance, looked after her needs and wellbeing, made sure she was alright. But now they were gone and their future, hers and theirs, looked uncertain.

Would they be alright?

She prayed with all of herself, promising all of her good karma to go towards that goal.

And now she was in charge of Rumi, the little boy and her beloved younger brother, his purple eyes staring at deeply into her own ones as if he knew everything she was feeling.

So she wiped her eyes and held his face in her hands.

"We're going to be alright, okay Rumi? We have to be. So that when-" her voice broke. She tried again, ignoring the steady stream of persistent hot tears. "So that when they come back, they'll be proud of how we coped." She kissed his little forehead.

Hui Gai teleported both of them back to the Jingshi. Together they sat on their parents' bed, holding hands.

"Time makes separation easier." Hui Gai said. "Losing people we love happens at any time...but both of you are lucky in that your parents will come back." He promised.

"I keep trying to bring Bai Hua back." Li XiWang admitted. "But it's like she's not listening any more. Why can't I do it?" She turned her face to Hui Gai.

This Demon had always been here for her, no matter what happened. Ever since her Father Wei had given her the necklace, Hui Gai had made sure she was safer than safe. She trusted him more than anyone, alongside her fathers.

"Bai Hua may not be able to cure them. No one knows yet what is happening to your parents, little one. You have to trust in the universe, especially when you don't know what to do, when nothing seems certain and it feels like you're floundering in the dark." Hui Gai told her. "I know it's hard. But if there's one thing your father taught me through his example, it is that nothing is written in stone."

"Four thousand rules are." She said.

It was so unexpected that they laughed.

This laughter mended their tears and suddenly everything didn't feel so bad after all.

Even Rumi giggled.

The normally quiet child had produced a surprising noise and startled himself.

"We're going to be fine." Hui Gai repeated her words. "I'm already missing him, and the other one."

"Why don't you say his name?" Li XiWang wondered aloud.

"I'm scared to. Him and your grandmother..." He visibly shuddered.

"Scared?" Li XiWang didn't believe him.

"Yeah...one time, he yelled at me. I've never forgotten it."

"Oh...well, that father is a bit like that but that's just on the outside. Inside he's really sweet. Father Wei says his heart is just like mochi inside." She smiled sadly. "When they come back, I'm going to hug them forever."

Rumi reached over with his tiny hands and linked their pinky fingers together, shaking it three times.

"But what about your grandmother? You can't say that about her." Hui Gai replied.

"I think she's warming up to you." Li XiWang confided. "It's just that old people find it hard to change what they've been told. You have to try harder to make her like you." She sounded way too confident that it was going to work.

"No thanks." Hui Gai made a face. "And you two should sleep now. Your night was disturbed...and I bet they'll carry on with your school. Rest children." He led them to their room where their beds still had sheets.

"Will you tell us a story, Hui Gai?" Li XiWang asked and then she yawned.

This night had emotionally drained her.

Rumi walked to his bed but then decided Li XiWang's bed looked more comfortable.

He crawled in next to her and lay down, wrapping his arm across her waist. She kissed the top of his head and sighed, closing her eyes.

Hui Gai was still thinking, tapping his nose.

The children were so tired, they wouldn't last more than just the beginning.

So he grinned looking at their little faces, already half asleep.

"Once upon a time, there was a little girl...."

And they were out.

Hui Gai smiled and vanished, because he had to face the grandmother now.