Squawk!
The sound made me jump, and I quickly turned towards its direction.
Oh!
The still-squawking metallic bird had perched itself on the shoulder of...
Captain Li Shang?
Hadrian would probably kill me for coming up with another human-and-cartoon comparison, but I sword to Gaea I wasn't being fanciful here. The dark-colored military uniform that Little Iron's new friend wore might be a lot more modern, but everything else was incredibly similar. The long, slicked-back hair. The chiseled jaw. Even the way he was arching his brow at me right this very moment was very much like how Mulan's boyfriend did it, and—-
"Come forward, woman. I am not going to harm you."
The roughness of his tone was impressive (it was almost as sexy as Hadrian's!), and what was up with that lovely accent? I was getting even more Crazy Rich Asian vibes here, with his accented English reminding me of Henry Golding's Nick Young—-
"Did you hear me, woman?"
Shit.
Maybe everyone was right, and I did get distracted rather easily.
But since that was a problem to be solved on another time—-
I forced myself to start walking. Since Little Iron's loyalty wasn't to be questioned, if my pet trusted him, then I figured I could, too. And besides, any guy who looked like a Disney hero should be trustworthy.
Right?
My steps slowed to a halt as I reached Mr. Soldier. "Um...hi." I had the craziest urge to snap my heels and give him a salute or something, but when Mr. Soldier's handsome face remained unsmiling—-
Focus like a LOTUS, Saoirse!
I cleared my throat and tried again. "So, that, um, bird...it's mine—-" I broke off when I saw his lips twitch the slightest bit, and I realized too late how my words could be totally read the wrong way.
"Uh, what I mean is..."
Mr. Soldier grunted, and the sound was so familiar that it gave me pause. I could've sworn I had heard that somewhere before, and...shit, I was getting distracted again.
I gestured to Little Iron, and the magical partridge squawked in acknowledgment. "I was referring to him. That's Little Iron, and he's my, um, pet."
"I understood the first time."
Sure he did. He so sure did, but it still hadn't kept him from silently laughing at me, had it?
"Anyway, I was wondering if perhaps—-" I broke off when he tossed something into the air, and my eyes widened when I realized what it was.
"Is that my coin?" I blurted out.
"Yes."
As Mr. Soldier spoke, the coin's descent gradually slowed to a stop...and it now remained suspended in mid-air as if held by an invisible hand.
"Do you know what's written on this coin?"
I shook my head.
"The characters on it translate to die and kill in your language."
"Uh..." What was he saying here exactly? Was this his way of accusing me for some crime? Was he telling me someone wanted me dead? Or maybe he was just translating the words, and I was reading too much into nothing?
Clearing my throat, I decided to take the diplomatic route and made myself smile politely as I told him, "I'm sure that's just a coincidence."
"In our language, the words would be pronounced as Si. Er. Sha."
Suh-ur-sha?
"That sounds awfully like my name," I said uneasily.
"Do you still think it's a coincidence then?"
I grimaced. "Obviously...no."
"You are taking this quite well," Mr. Soldier noted.
"I'm kinda used to people wanting to kill me."
"Ah."
"But it's not because I'm hateful or anything like that," I added.
"I see."
"I'm not lying!"
Mr. Soldier grunted, and I told myself that was his version of saying he knew I was telling the truth. Which I was. I mean...you guys don't think I'm hateful, right? Annoying maybe, but in an adorable way, and—-
"What the hell do you think—-!"
Mr. Soldier had suddenly taken hold of my hand to press the coin into my palm.
"AAAAAAAAH!"
I couldn't help gasping in pain as the coin in my hand suddenly started burning and melting into my flesh.
Mr. Soldier's gaze locked with mine. "Tell Hades he will owe me for this."
Chapter Seven
A white-faced Hadrian was staring down at me when I opened my eyes, and behind him was the familiar ceiling of his thirteenth-floor apartment. Thank Gaea I was finally back—-oh!
Hadrian had hauled me up into his arms, and with my cheek pressed against his rock-hard chest, I could feel how frantic his heart was still beating.
"One of these days, my love..." Hadrian's tone was resigned. "You're certain to succeed at giving me a heart attack."
I started to apologize, but with my husband already cupping my cheeks and his tongue thrusting into my mouth, all I could do was kiss him back, knowing that this was the best way to let him know I was fine.
When he finally eased off, minutes had passed, and I felt dizzy and breathless for a whole different reason.
"I'm sorry," he said gruffly.
"I'm not," I said feelingly. "We can do it again, too, if you want."