Fathers heart to heart

Shiro takes Seo Jun to a spot overlooking the sea. The cool breeze off the crashing waves below sets Seo Jun's nerves on edge. Wondering if Shiro is going to send him over the side of the cliff.

"No need to worry. I'm not about to push you." Shiro tells Seo Jun.

"That is a relief. I'm sure you have a lot of questions." Seo Jun looks at Shiro, waiting for him to speak.

"That I do, but for tonight I just need you to watch and listen." Shiro turns to Seo Jun and shifts his appearance into Kitori his nine-tail fox form. Seo Jun gasps as he watches Shito change. His hair grows longer and turns silver in the moonlight softly glowing like the moon. His eyes take on a different shape a more rounded one the grey becoming more silver. His silver tails float up behind him framing his human form like a halo around him.

"This is my cultivated form; I live primarily as a human. My kind was hunted and enslaved for many centuries. I lived most of my life hiding my true self waiting for my destined love to appear. For centuries only trusted a select few to reveal me to. I was given the chance to live as Shiro when helping a sick boy. As a reward, I got to keep his form and later he was reborn as my sibling. Lilli, Jasmine's mother, is a light bearer. Essentially she is the equivalent of a silver dragon. Lilli was my destined mate, and I was taken to her in my purest form when she was an infant. It was later when she guided the spirit of Shiro that we were able to start our journey in truth together. I always feared revealing myself before she was of age because it could harm her. She would have none of it. She stayed with me through everything. I'm telling you all of this because Jasmine has her mother's stubbornness, kindness, and ability to love completely unconditionally. Jasmine will do whatever she feels is needed to be by your side. I believe her when she says this is the only way, but she is not the type to do anything rash. Jasmine must feel a deep connection to you for her to be willing to take this step. Jasmine is one of the few to not have any gifts to manifest. With that being said, it is not impossible for her to have them later. Her grandmother did not get her full gifts till she met her soulmate. There will only be celestials at the ceremony tomorrow. We do not know what to expect so we cannot let anyone without gifts be there. We will have a proper wedding when everything is finished. There are some things you will not have a say in. Jasmine is my child, and until I see that you can properly protect her, I will still have a say in her life. She is not yet of adult age so on this you must agree. Once she turns twenty-one, then she can decide on her own. I only ask that you do not treat her coldly, I know dragons, much like my kind, are not affectionate. Trust me that will change once you get to know my wife's family. Humans need affection and warmth. All I ask is that you be honest with her and don't let her walk blindly into danger. To stand up for her against anyone who would hurt her. " Shiro shifts back to human form, watching Seo Jun process what he just saw and heard.

"Jasmine already told me you were a nine tail and I have met a few of her celestial family. I was ready to kill Lucian as soon as she called him my love. I cannot promise I even have a clue what is going to happen. I only promise that I will do my best. You are right that we dragons are not affectionate. We do, however, do love. When I first saw Jasmine in a vision, I felt her essence's warmth. I knew immediately that she was my destined one. I set out immediately to find her. When I saw her, the only thing I wanted was to hold her close to my heart. I can't properly explain what I am feeling. I can only tell you that if what I am feeling is love, then I do love Jasmine." Seo Jun tells Shiro. Suddenly Seo Jun holds his head and falls to his knees. His ears are ringing, causing pain in his head.

"Seo Jun what is wrong?" Shiro asks, but Seo Jun can't hear him through the pain. Shiro opens the connection to Lilli.

"Lilli, Seo Jun is in agonizing pain right now; what can I do?" Shiro telepathically asks Lilli.

"It's the same here for Jasmine, Marbas has taken her to find the cause. The ringing was coming from the mountain. Bring Seo Jun here to our home. This way, we can protect him from his father while he cannot protect himself. " Lilli tells Shiro as she continues to prepare for the next day. Shiro agrees with Lilli that he cannot leave Seo Jun like this alone. Shiro shifts back to Kitori, wrapping his tails around Seo Jun. They appear again in the garden of his home. Luxe is surprised that her father has appeared in his fox form with a stranger. A chill of foreboding runs through her. She seems frozen in place, just staring at Seo Jun and Shiro. Lilli notices and walks to her daughter.

"Luxe don't worry, that is Jasmine's groom. We are not sure what is happening, but we need them to be in a safe place. Why don't you go make tea? I will go help your father." Lilli tells luxe soothingly. Lilli feels the disturbance in Luxe. Not sure if it worries over her father or if it is the dragon that is causing it. Luxe reluctantly goes to the kitchen. Lucian is inside, his brow furrowed when he sees Luxe.

"What is it?" Lucian asks Luxe.

"I just saw Dad; he was in Kitori form with a dragon masked as a man. Is Jasmine's groom a dragon?" Luxe asks Lucian. Lucian is troubled by Luxe's expression. Needing an explanation, Lucian opens his mind to all of the celestials, including Inari.

"Why would Luxe be so troubled by Seo Jun ?" Lucian asks. Inari hears his question, her mind goes back to when she was pregnant with Shiro. She had a daughter with her, hidden from the dragons. The fox spirit that is inside of Luxe is that daughter. Inari shimmers instantly to Luxe's side.

"Luxe dearest, there is nothing to be frightened about. Do you remember when we explained how your soul and the soul of one of my other children were molded together at conception? That child was with me when I was hiding among the dragons. We were treated kindly by them, in fact, I am good friends with Seo Jun's mother. She is the one we stayed with. What you are feeling is the fear of that child. She was always frightened by the dragons, all but Seo Shin. Seo Shin was her friend, and he always kept her safe. The thing is, this child saw Seo Jun's sister when she died. After that, she even became frightened of Seo Shin. You are feeling that child's fears. When you were little you would dream of her life, and I asked you if you wanted those memories taken away. You have always refused because you felt that would take her away. I'm asking you again do you want these memories taken away?" Inari asks Luxe. Luxe looks into her grandmother's eyes, tears welling up.

"Can you show me, Seo Shin, show me her happy memories just like before? If she was happy with the dragons, I could sort these feelings myself." Luxe asks her grandmother.

"Of course, come, we will go to the pool room. " Inari takes Luxe by the hand, taking her to a cavern in the mountain. There is a pool of memories. Inari places some crystals and lays them around the pool. Sitting Luxe in the pool, she slips beneath the water. Her mind wonders back into the past.

Meanwhile, Jasmine is standing in a cavern holding a new pearl shard. A pain fills her head as she feels Seo Jun's pain. She sees him in the garden with her father standing beside him.

"Seo Jun seems to be in a lot of pain. Dad has brought him here; let's go back." Jasmine holds her hand out to Marbas to take her back. Marbas nods and shimmers Jasmine to Seo Jun's side.

Jasmine kneels beside Seo Jun taking his head in her hand. Leaning forward, she places her lips against the feverish skin. The pearl shard begins to glow brightly and flies from her hand to meld with the one around Seo Jun's neck. The two are surrounded by a blue barrier as the pearl fuses together. Seo Jun is asleep once the barrier is down. Jasmine looks up at her father; her eyes have become more blue-green now than green. Her hair now has lighter highlights through it. This further proves to Shiro that Jasmine is truly Seo Jun's mate. Shiro lifts Seo Jun and shimmers with him to the room beside Jasmine's. Lilli has already fixed the room for him. Shiro looks down at the man that is to become his son.

"I wonder how we can keep you safe from your father if this is how you react every time a piece is found. " Shiro thinks to himself. Lilli comes in to tell Shiro about Luxe's reaction to Seo Jun.