Page 103 of Gods of Jade and Shadow
“Same with life, and then it branches off.”
“I want to drive.”
“But now?” he asked, looking doubtful.
“Now is always the answer.”
Loray had a constant look of mischief about him, and her answer made him give her an even more mischievous smile.
“Got me there,” he admitted. “But if you drive, who is going to handle the maps?”
“Show me how to drive a bit, and I’ll show you how to read a map properly.”
He removed his cap and smirked. “After this you must call me your friend, you know?”
“We’ll see.”
He stopped the automobile, just stopped in the middle of the road and got out. She pushed her door open and they switched places. Casiopea sat very straight, contemplating the wheel. The sun had reached the highest point in the sky, and there wasn’t a single shadow in sight, the desert burning bright, the sky a canopy of blue. No other vehicles were on the road. She felt bold.
“What do I do first?” she asked.
“First,” said the raven.
Loray took a sip from his flask and mimed the turning of the automobile keys, then he explained how the vehicle worked. Casiopea chuckled as the automobile began to move. It was a long road, and she feared the automobile would get away from her and she wouldn’t know how to stop, but she smiled.
