A scrape of scales against canvas made Aleledai freeze in place, a scant length past the last round of the outer tents. Tentative fingers brushed his elbow, heavy pressure on his hide where another body moved past his tail. The fingers were blunt and square, familiar. Aleledai was already smiling when he twisted around and faced Selati. There was something obscured by Selati’s fingers curled loose over a bright splash of color in his palm.
“My All, I’m happy to see you,” Aleledai said, fingers tangling with the hand Selati still held out to him.
“I brought you something I found at the hilltop next to the pond.” Selati revealed his gift, fingers flattening out careful, deliberate. He offered it with an extended hand.
A flower. The numerous petals were neon crimson, fading down toward the
