The Dragon Egg Princess by Ellen Oh

Author:Ellen Oh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2020-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

THE REVELATIONS OF the pool were still too shocking for them to process. But Jiho worried about Koko. She hadn’t said another word and had walked away in a daze, her expression blank and troubling. Jiho and the crew followed behind her as they all headed down the path.

“So she’s a dragon?” Shane asked.

“She came out of an egg.” Frankie shook his head. “She definitely ain’t human.”

“But she looks human . . . ,” Shane said.

“Quiet,” Tess reprimanded. “She can hear you.”

“Well, I think she’s amazing,” Jay said.

Jiho was thoughtful. He still had so many questions to ask. He still didn’t understand what the true danger was. But he could see Koko was in no condition to respond.

As they walked down the trail, a large, burly figure with a long thick walking stick stood waiting for them at the bottom of the mountain. Jiho peered in rising shock as Koko let out a cry of relief.

“Teacher!”

“Princess,” the man said. “Are you all right?”

Koko nodded numbly. “I’m just tired. I need to rest.”

The man bowed as Koko passed him. When he raised his head, Jiho found himself staring into his father’s face. Shocked, Jiho nearly stumbled as he halted in his tracks. His father’s eyes widened, and then a huge smile creased his handsome face.

“Jiho, my boy! I can’t believe it’s you!”

Neither could Jiho. Anger and bitterness filled him. The princess had referred to his father as “teacher.” He finally knew the reason why his father had left his family five years ago. But the hurt and anger were overwhelming.

He was silent as his friends eyed them before following Koko. When they were alone, he glared at his father.

“What are you doing here?” Jiho asked.

“I was called here by the namushin,” his father replied. “It was my job to teach the princess all about the Kidahara, keep her safe, and help her raise a loyal army.”

“So that’s why you deserted us,” Jiho said.

His father lowered his eyes in shame. “I was not a good father, Jiho. I knew that your uncle and aunt would take better care of you and the girls than I ever could. So I had to go where I was needed.”

“You didn’t have to go, you chose to go,” Jiho said sharply. “You were our father. We needed you, and you deserted us.”

“Yes, I did,” his father said regretfully. “And for that I am so sorry. How are your sisters?”

“You lost your right to ask that question,” Jiho said bitterly.

His father winced. “Yes, I know. Living without your mother was too hard for me. So when the namushin came for me, I left without a second thought. I relied on your uncle and aunt to take care of you—I abandoned my children.”

Jiho had to work hard not to cry. Not to rage at his father. Not to beg him to return to them.

“I’m sorry that I’ve been such a terrible dad,” his father continued. “I know I don’t deserve forgiveness. But it feels so good to see you again, Jiho.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.