Puren tiptoed down the hall and stopped at the closed door. The palace of the dragon lord was as still and silent as a tomb. Even the birds had seemingly abandoned the gardens as though they sensed something amiss.

  There was no sound from the other side, a fact which made the servant’s heart fall. Puren took a deep breath and put on a smile that had no warmth. He puffed up his chest and strolled into the room as if nothing was wrong. The servant carried a tray in both hands upon which was a bowl of cooked oats and a glass of water. His gaze couldn’t help but fall on the still figure that lay on the bed, clad in white with a face nearly as pale as the sheets.

  Puren set the tray on the nightstand beside the bed and turned his face toward the occupant of the bed. His heart lifted when he saw Eastwei’s bright red eyes staring at him. The dragon lord appeared to have been waiting for his presence.

  “Good morning, My Lord,” he greeted his master with a bow of his head. “Would you like some food?”

  Eastwei’s gaze turned away from the tray and to something past the foot of the bed. Puren followed his line of sight and searched the room before his eyes fell on a basket tucked beneath the short breakfast table.

  The servant furrowed his brow and returned his attention to his master. “Would you like me to fetch the basket?”

  Eastwei nodded. The servant was only too glad to do something for his ailing lord, and so he retrieved the basket and returned to the bedside. Puren set the basket on the floor and removed the blanket. His eyes widened when he discovered the cat chocolate lying atop the others.

  He whipped his head up. “Did Lady Shian craft this chocolate for you, My Lord?” Eastwei managed to lift a hand and wave in the direction of the bedroom door. Puren’s face fell. “You wish for me to leave?” Eastwei dropped his arm to his side and nodded. The servant’s heart dropped into his stomach, but he stepped back and bowed low to the lord. “Then I will return in an hour to retrieve the tray.”

  Puren turned away and strolled from the room. He reluctantly closed the door behind him but didn’t leave. Instead, he leaned close to the door and listened.

  Eastwei waited a few moments before he turned his head to face the basket. He dragged his arm across the covers and wrapped his hand around the basket handle. The lord clenched his teeth but managed to lift the basket onto the bed. The container caught on the edge and spilled its contents onto the sheets. The sweet aroma of chocolate filled the room and surrounded him.

  But only one of the brown treats interested him.

  Eastwei clenched his teeth and rolled over onto his side. He paused to catch his breath. His body felt as heavy as all the realms. He forced one hand to worm through the treats until his fingers found what he was searching for.

  Eastwei drew out his hand and revealed the cat-shaped chocolate clasped in his shaky grip. The cat smiled back at him and he could almost imagine its tail flicking to and fro. He pulled the cat up to his lips and inhaled the sweet, tempting scent. It reminded him so much of her.

  Eastwei opened his mouth and forced his teeth down into the soft treat. The sweet chocolate flowed into his mouth and down his throat. He was filled with a gentle warmth. The soothing heat was not unlike his own magic but with a potent shimmer like a wave. The glow soothed his aching body and he slipped into a dreamless sleep.

  The chocolate fell from his lips and dropped back onto the pile, now with a discernable bite mark in it.

  Puren waited for one tense hour and the clocks were striking the hour as he hurried back to the room. He paused long enough to compose himself at the door before he stepped inside. “My Lord, have you-” He froze, one hand still on the door handle and his eyes bulging out of his head.

  The bed lay empty.

  Puren’s heart skipped a beat before he lunged forward. He grabbed the covers and tossed them about searching for his master. His efforts sent the chocolates flying and the cat-shaped one was n exception. It flew through the air and landed upside down on the floor where it glided across the smooth floor and under a low dresser.

  Puren stumbled back with the bed drawn and quartered before him. His master had completely vanished.

  That’s when the front doorbell rang.

  Puren shot out of the room and careened down the main hall. His arms flailed about on either side of him as he raced through the arch and down the long path to the main entrance. Prince Yushir stood calmly on the other side with a soft smile on his face. That is until he saw the frantic figure of Puren sprinting toward him.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “What in all the realms has happened to you?” Yushir questioned the lad as the younger god straggled up to him.

  Puren doubled over and set his hands on his bent knees. He managed to shake his head. “A. . .a most horrible thing has happened, Your Highness! Lord Eastwei has disappeared!”

  The prince lifted an eyebrow. “Disappeared? Why would he do such a thing?”

  The servant furiously shook his head. “I-I do not know, Your Highness! I only know that he was bedridden after his visit to Lady Wuhel’s island and now he has vanished!”

  Yushir leaned to one side to catch a glimpse of the interior of the palace house. “Are you sure he is not merely wandering the grounds?”

  Puren shook his head. “That is impossible! He could hardly lift a hand only an hour ago! And Lady Fuhel told me he was not to be moved for a fortnight! How could he be walking the grounds only a few hours after such instructions?”

  “Let us go and see if we cannot find your master to ask him,” Yushir suggested as he slipped past the distraught young man and strode down the path.

  Puren scurried after him and together the two walked into the house. The prince led them up to the podium where he stopped and turned his head right and left. Movement to his left caught his attention and he hurried in that direction.

  “How could this happen?” Puren bemoaned at his back. “I had only turned away for a moment! Whatever has happened to him?”

  Yushir stopped so suddenly that Puren crashed into him. The prince was prepared for the sudden shock from his distracted companion and dug his toes into the stone slabs so they didn’t tip over.

  Yushir turned his head far enough to catch Puren’s eye and nodded at the way ahead of them. “He has been relaxing in the gardens.”

  Puren’s eyes widened and he shot to one side to look past the prince. He discovered Eastwei reclining on his usual couch that faced the pool. The dragon lord’s cheek was nestled against his fisted hand and his eyes were closed.

  Yushir clapped a hand on Puren’s shoulder which made the young man jump. The prince offered him a smile as he nodded at the entrance to the palace. “Perhaps you should go rest. You appear to be ready to collapse yourself. I will see to Lord Eastwei.”

  Puren bobbed his head up and down. “Y-yes. Perhaps I should do just that. Thank you, Your Highness.” He mechanically turned and shuffled off back into the house.

  Yushir turned his full attention to his friend. His smile turned into a frown and he strode forward with a stiff jaw. He arrived at the bench without so much as receiving a single eye opening at his coming. The prince’s shadow fell over the quiet lord and highlighted the extreme pallor on his face.

  Yushir waited a moment for a forthcoming welcome but the lord didn’t stir. “Would you mind telling me what has happened that upset Puren so much?”

  Eastwei didn’t open his eyes nor even move a muscle. “Yes.”

  The prince plopped himself on a nearby seat and folded his arms into his lap. “What exactly happened at Lady Wuhel that would put you in such a state? Puren informed me you could hardly move a hand not more than an hour ago.”

  “Nothing happened.”

  Yushir’s sharp eyes examined his features from his face down to his hands. “Your ‘nothing’ has made a most dramatic change in your appearance.”

  “I am fine.”

  Yushir’s eyes flickered between the stoic lord and the direction he faced, namely the pool with its storied platform. “Are you also fine about your pet having disappeared? Perhaps even killed?” The prince furrowed his brow when he noticed the corners of his old friend’s lips twitch upward. Yushir clapped his hands against his thighs. “Will you tell me what has happened or must I search all the realms to learn it? In this endeavor, I will not give up even if I should have to delve into the lands of the demons.”

  Eastwei’s eyes opened and he found himself staring into the steady and stern gaze of his old friend. They exchanged looks for a long moment before the dragon god’s gaze turned away and fell on the pedestal. “I will go with you to the Fur Festival.”

  Yushir leaned back and frowned. “That is a firm decision for you. What circumstance has made the decision for you?”

  “We shall say I had a dream,” Eastwei mused as he sat up and eased himself onto his feet.

  Yushir watched with trepidation mixed with confusion as his friend very slowly strolled over to the pool. Eastwei stared into the crystal-clear waters where his reflection met his gaze. “And what did this dream say to you?”

  A faint smile appeared on Eastwei’s lips. “That she is with friends.”

  Yushir blinked at his strange friend. “And that makes sense to you?” His reply was silence. The prince finally threw up his arms and jumped to his feet. “Very well! We shall go to the festival provided you are in good health and I hope we find your lost pet. If you will excuse me, I must prepare for the visit.” He reluctantly bowed his head and left, though his curiosity remained behind in that beautiful little garden.