The Dragon Republic

Aratsha spent most of his time in the water, spiriting the Cike’s ships along to wherever they needed to go, and when he wasn’t calling down his god he preferred to rest in his barrel. Nezha could see the crest of the dragon embroidered in silver thread against the rich cerulean-blue dye that only members of the House of Yin were permitted to wear. He was looking down at Nezha with a genuine concern that Rin had never seen on his face. “It’s a god,” she told him. She felt the god’s presence in the back of her mind—eager, delighted, and at last perfectly aligned with her intentions.