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With his Mate’s silent, unwavering support, Ere straightened his spine and met the ageless being’s penetrating gaze.
“Well, we’re all here, Shifu,” Ere said with more self-possession than he felt.
“What do you have in mind for us this time?”
“It is not I who have plans,” Shifu corrected. “The Jade Emperor designs your Destiny.”
“I determine my own Destiny,” Ere returned quietly.
There was no bravado in his words.
He might not know what the Jade Emperor wanted with him, and the god was likely infinitely more powerful than Ere. But he was stubborn enough in his own convictions to know that, push came to shove, he always had a choice.
Shifu’s bushy white brows gathered together ominously.
Before he could punish Ere for speaking out of turn, Divina inserted, “Where is Papa Jade sending us, Fufu? Some place warm and beachy, I hope! With all the necessary amenities.”
The old man turned toward her with a barely suppressed sigh.
“This is not a pleasure jaunt, Divina. You will go on a quest of utmost importance.”
She clapped her hands together with glee, her bangles tinkling.
“Do tell!”
“You will go to ancient Greece,” Shifu began, stroking one hand through his long beard, the other held behind his back.
“To a time before recorded history. When magic and heroes ruled the land. Before the great civilizations of man.”
Divina’s face fell dramatically.
“But therearemen, aren’t there? Oh, tell me they’re not apes and Neanderthals. There must be some erudition and culture. I insist upon it.”
She stamped her platform heel at that.
Shifu speared her with a glare of annoyance, fond though it still somehow remained.
“Yes, there are men.”
Divina’s face lit up again.
“But,” Shifu hastened to add, “I repeat, this is not a carefree escapade. You are to behave yourself, Little Feather. Am I clear?”
Little Feather?
Ere blinked rapidly with shock at the endearment coming out of the humorless being’s mouth.
Shifu cleared his throat, his cheeks tinged slightly pink, as if he hadn’t meant to let the nickname escape, and carried on.
“The three of you must retrieve the Song of Destiny. It—”
“A song?” Divina jumped in before Ere could. “How are we to retrieve a song?”
“If you would let me finish—”
“Oh, I know! Is there a magical bird who sings it?”
She gave an excited little hop, making all her curvy parts bounce and jiggle.
