Tears slid silently down her cheeks. She knew that, if not for that ferocious black figure, she would already have died at the bottom of the River. No one would have come to save her. Moments ago, she had nearly surrendered to her fate and given up.
She had never expected that terrifying black shadow to save someone. She did not know whether he was a snake, a flood dragon, or a dragon, but that hardly mattered. He had lifted her out of the icy darkness, and even while fighting, he had not forgotten to buoy her up again and again.
She did not want to go back. Returning would be a fate worse than death. Better to keep company with a demon.
The wind off the River pressed her wedding robes against her body, and she shivered all over.
Black Snake turned those words over in his mind several times.
She had asked him to take her away. He recalled River Ash, the old otter he had known, who liked delivering goods by water and carrying passengers along the way. But he had never been in that line of work. Besides, he felt that was not quite what the girl meant. What she wanted was to leave.
He flicked out his forked tongue. His brain ached a little.
Human language was so complicated. One word could have several meanings, and one sentence could conceal several intentions. Even after studying it for more than five hundred years, he still often failed to understand. He was only good at fighting for his life. He knew nothing of the ways of the world.
Black Snake considered how to refuse. He was no good at this to begin with, and he could not be bothered to invite complications.
Just as he was about