Matching Dragons Chinese Zodiac Romance Series Book 6 by Rachael Slate Page B

wife.” She laughed. “And the binding isn’t quite so literal.” She wrinkled her nose at his makeshift ring, grinning. “But yes. A thousand times, yes, Lok.” She wrapped her hands around his neck, bringing their lips together. “You don’t have to claim my heart because you’ve already won it. I’ll always be yours.”
    He nipped at her lips, teasing them open. Her flaming hair flowed around her lovely face, violet eyes sparkling with love. Such a vision of beauty, she’d entranced him from his very first glimpse. And he wouldn’t have it any other way. “Oh, I know you will, little one.” He framed her face in his hands, feeling like the luckiest dragon on earth, to have met his perfect match. “Because I’m never letting you out of my sight.”
    *****
     

nĭn hăo – formal greeting in Mandarin
    nĭ hăo – informal greeting in Mandarin
    shūshu – “uncle” (father’s younger brother) in Mandarin
    zhínǚ – “niece” (brother’s daughter) in Mandarin
    xiānshēng – “Mr.” in Mandarin
    Nonya – a traditional blend of Chinese and Malay cuisine
    chī fàn – traditional words spoken for elders to eat first
    xiǎo tùzi guāi guāi – nursery rhyme “Well-behaved Little Rabbit”
    tùzi – “rabbit” in Mandarin
    Lái Zhīdé – Neo-Confucian philosopher who introduced the yin-yang symbol
    sayang – “love” in Malay, used as a term of endearment
    yin-yang – complementary, opposing forces that when in sync, result in the balance of the Earth. When out of sync, the Earth falls into imbalance. Yin is dark, cold, water, death, female, moon, etc. Yang is light, hot, fire, life, male, sun, etc.
    jīng – one of the Three Treasures; sexual energy
    qì – one of the Three Treasures; life-force energy
    shén – one of the Three Treasures; spiritual energy
    qìgōng – a practice involving coordinated breathing, movement, and awareness, traditionally viewed as a practice to cultivate and balance qì
    Iron Crutch Li – Li Tieguai, Sheng’s ancestor and the hero of REMATCH . One of the Eight Immortals
    Hé Qióng – The Immortal Woman, one of the Eight Immortals. Mei and Lucy’s ancestor
    Zhongli Quan – one of the Eight Immortals. Natalie’s ancestor
    Zhang Guolao – one of the Eight Immortals. Kassian’s ancestor
    Péng lái, Fāngzhàng, Yíngzhōu – the islands of the Eight Immortals
    Áo – a large marine turtle in Chinese mythology that carries the islands of the Eight Immortals upon his back
    yāoguài – demons who live in Dìyù and sometimes break free
    Dìyù – Hell. It contains eighteen layers.
    batik – a traditional Malaysian fabric
    wǔshù – a form of martial arts
    Kongsi – a clan association; a secret society
    Hai San – Sheng’s Kongsi
    Ghee Hin – the enemy of the Hai San
    Wen Shen – The Plague God responsible for the Red Death
    Báijiǔ – an Asian liquor similar to vodka
    Shèhúnzéi – “Spirit Thief”
    Néih hóu – a Cantonese greeting
    Yum cha – to “drink tea” in Cantonese
    M goi – “thank you” in Cantonese
    M̀h'sái haak-hei –“you’re welcome” in Cantonese
    Suanmeitang – a traditional cooling tea
    húli jīng – a fox spirit
    shuǐ guǐ – a water ghost
    nǎinai – “grandmother” in Mandarin
    Nüwa – the goddess of the fox spirits
    Yuánjiāo Island - one of the islands of the Eight Immortals
    Kun Peng – a mythological creature that can transform into both a bird and a fish
    Bahasa – language of the fox spirits
    saat saum – “pretty please” in Bahasa
    arkoun – “thank you” in Bahasa
    sthananorok – “hell” in Bahasa
    semangat – Malay for “passion”
    Aschar Mteay – “Great Mother” in Bahasa
    phaem – “sweet” in Bahasa
    sapha – “mine” in Bahasa
    Kar Svakom – greeting in Bahasa
    Jiaolong dragons – crocodile-like green dragons that rule the seas
    Huanglong dragons – yellow dragons; representatives of the Jade Emperor
    jadie – slang for a human who seeks out