Could civil war really be brewing, Xiao wondered, when Gang commands the Sun Guard? How could even Salaana expect to defeat him in a bid for the throne?
Xiao felt very cold. For the first time he realized that he did not expect Jin to succeed in her quest. Surely there would be a new emperor within the year. He reviewed Jin’s three older siblings. He could not like the idea of any of them on the throne for they were all ruthless. It should be Jin, he thought. Of all of them, she is the most reasonable, the kindest...
It occurred to him that if Jin were empress, he would be her consort. Xiao felt panic and abruptly walked on.
He found Ichimi training with a group of women, probably Light Hands. They were fighting with tessen, the deceptively beautiful fans that Jin favored, rather than their usual swords. Xiao grinned. He was best against a tessen, having practiced with Jin more than anyone else over the years. Ichimi might defeat him, but surely it wouldn’t be as humiliating as his defeat at Bai’s hands.
“Excuse me, ladies,” Xiao called into the group. “I don’t suppose any of you would care to give me some practice this morning?”
Ichimi looked even more delicate and feminine up close – she only reached Xiao’s chest and even her smile was sweet and demure. “I would be happy to spar with you...?”
“Xiao,” he told her with a grin and a wink.
“And I am Ichimi.”
Soon they were alone in the practice ring, surrounded by the other women. Xiao held his long sword ready as he and Ichimi circled each other.
Her tessen met Xiao’s sword with a sharp clang. Then he almost tumbled in the dirt as she deflected his return strike. He soon worked up a sweat, and realized he was thoroughly enjoying himself. Despite Luye’s smirk, it seemed that he and Ichimi were evenly matched.
Finally, she did overcome his defenses – Xiao lay on the ground, the sharp edge of her tessen at his throat. She was smiling.
Xiao grinned back. “I concede, Lady Ichimi. I must thank you for a pleasant practice. Perhaps you’ll allow me to escort you to a mid-morning tea?”
One brow raised, and the lady nodded.
“Yes, divinity, I would be happy to accompany you.”
There were protests from the other women – apparently, Xiao wasn't the only one eager to befriend Ichimi, but she waved them away.
Xiao thought about her address – she knew who he was. She must want the same thing from him that he wanted from her: information. Feeling that Ichimi would respond better to polite flirting than his usual boldness, he began with small talk.
“A lovely spring morning, is it not?” Xiao asked.
“Indeed, a thrush woke me this morning with her sweet song.”
“Ah, the palace’s songbirds are truly one of its treasures.”
Ichimi nodded, her eyes smiling. “Yes, and they are so new to me.”
“Indeed?” asked Xiao. “Where did you live that didn’t have songbirds?”
“Beneath the sea,” said Ichimi.
“Beneath the sea?” Xiao had to pick his jaw up off the ground. “Are you from the Sea Dragon’s court, then?”
Ichimi nodded.
“No wonder you are so skilled with the tessen. I have heard all the ladies of that court are expected to master it.” He abruptly recalled Nanami lamenting her father’s conceit, Did you know we are numbered? That’s what our names mean – one sea, two sea, three sea. Ichimi might mean “one sea” – and now that he thought of it, hadn’t Nanami said her oldest sister was named Ichimi? Xiao’s gut knotted, even as he pointed to a tea house run by the Goddess of Patience. It was a small, wooden building that would not be out of place in the mortal world, though it was an oddity on the palace grounds.
Ichimi dipped her head in consent. Xiao stepped through the narrow door first, letting the black flaps of linen brush his shoulders.
One of the goddess’ disciples greeted them and settled them in the inner garden by a small bamboo fountain.
Xiao was politely silent as they took the time to appreciate the running water and waited for their tea. He was trying to organize his thoughts. He felt almost certain that Ichimi was the Sea Dragon’s eldest daughter – now that he looked, he could see Nanami in her features. Her very dark, narrow eyes; the small lips, the bottom just a bit plumper. Nanami was taller and projected more strength and Ichimi’s face was oval where Nanami’s was round, but they looked like sisters nonetheless. Had she seen Nanami among Salaana's aspirants? And if so, would she expose her sister to her lover’s judgement?
When the tea arrived, Xiao went through the motions of inhaling its steam and admiring its color before he took a small sip. Then he asked, “You haven’t been at court very long, have you? Last night was the first time I saw you.”
Ichimi smiled. “You don’t have to be shy with me – someone pointed you out to me last night as well, the first being betrothed to any of the Sun Emperor’s children. Salaana and I met three thousand years ago but I was only allowed at court after your betrothal ceremony.” Despite practically declaring that the Sun Emperor’s collapse had been to her benefit, Ichimi seemed calm and secure. Xiao suddenly suspected that she had deliberately gone easy on him during their sparring earlier. Contrary to appearances, this woman was neither soft nor gentle.
“I am sorry to hear that. I daresay you and Salaana would have been happier than Jin and myself at such a ceremony.”
Ichimi nodded. “There is something particularly unjust about marriages arranged by parents without considering the principals' feelings, don’t you think?”
Was Ichimi suggesting Salaana would help him break the betrothal? In exchange for what? Xiao tried to think of a way to turn the conversation back to Nanami, but Ichimi clearly had a plan for this conversation.
“I wonder, where is the Goddess of Beauty now?”
Xiao waved a hand languorously. “I do not keep close track. She is undertaking a pilgrimage in hopes of atoning for her father’s sins and so change his fate.”
Ichimi’s mouth thinned. For the first time, she did not look pretty at all. “Then she will be a pilgrim until the end of her days.”
Xiao shook his head, “I doubt she will continue after her father passes.”
Ichimi sipped her tea and then asked so casually that her interest was painfully obvious, “And what plans does she make for such a time?”
Xiao cocked his brow. “She doesn’t. She still refuses to believe it will come to pass.”
“But you’re a realist,” Ichimi suggested.
Xiao’s mouth twisted. “If Jin is an expert on beauty, I am one on desire. Desire can be very ugly.” He cleared his throat, trying to figure out how to steer the conversation where he wanted. “What plans does the Goddess of Justice make for such a time?”
Ichimi laughed lightly, a bell-like sound. “You know exactly what plans she makes. Karana stands with her – and perhaps your young friend. Since Salaana helped him overcome the greatest injustice he knew.”
It took Xiao a moment to understand who she meant. When he did, he almost spat out the tea. Was she admitting that Salaana had cast the death curse to aid Guleum?
He realized Ichimi was waiting for his response. “And you fully support the goddess in her pursuit of justice?”
“Of course. Salaana is the family I have chosen.” Ichimi studied him.
“Justice is a popular topic lately,” Xiao noted.
“The Sun Court has lacked it for too long.”
Xiao swallowed. “There have been many aspirants for justice lately. The goddess will have more disciples soon.”
Ichimi seemed annoyed by his attempt to change the topic at hand. “Aspirants are not always what they seem. Salaana is dismissing her most recent one even now. As for Jin–”
“Dismissing? Why?” Xiao’s heart seemed to be beating in his ears.
“She is not who she claimed to be. I identified her myself.” Ichimi waved a hand impatiently. “Salaana wishe
s to speak to Jin. Can you help us contact her?”
Xiao rubbed his face. He didn’t want to squander this opportunity, but his energy for subtlety was exhausted by his worry about Nanami. “You really don’t know where she is, do you? I wonder, could your lover be keeping secrets from you? Or would Karana act on his own?”
Ichimi looked briefly angry, then intrigued. “Was Jin threatened? If so, look to the God of War. Karana is very fond of Jin, and Salaana won’t hurt her unless she has to.”
Xiao desperately wished he had Jin’s ability to know the truth. Ichimi seemed so sincere, but Jin herself had verified that Gang wanted to keep her safe. What was he missing? Did yet another enemy lurk in the shadows?
“I want to speak to Salaana myself.” Xiao suggested.
Ichimi nodded. She actually looked pleased by the idea. “Let’s go now.”
The disciples at Salaana’s gate were a little more hesitant though.
“Her divinity is dealing with the thief,” they told Ichimi.
“Thief?” the hairs on the back of Xiao's neck stood up.
“The aspirant,” Ichimi said. “I told you she wasn’t who she claimed. Don’t worry, it won’t be long.”
Xiao stared at her, then kicked open Salaana’s gate. He ran into the residence, barely noticing the shocked cries of the disciples. Fine white sand sprayed beneath his urgent feet.
Xiao took in the scene before him in a moment: Nanami, kneeling before Salaana, hands outstretched in supplication. And Salaana, her hands full of lightning.
He took it in and understood it in a moment, but even that was too long.
THE pain was so intense, so searing, that Nanami did not understand what had happened. She gaped at her hand, or where her hand should be, but there was just an angry, shiny stump. She looked past it, trying to find her hand, but there was nothing but a molten glass in the white sand.
Then Nanami finally understood that her hand was gone, burned away by Salaana’s bolt of crackling heat.
“Why...?” she asked, holding her forearm, as if it too might disappear.
“You must pay the price for your thievery. If you still wish to join my sect, you may. But know that if you steal again, I’ll take the other one.” Salaana indicated Nanami’s remaining hand.
Before Nanami could even think of a reply, strong hands caught her and swung her upwards. She blinked at Xiao’s face. He was saying something, but Nanami was having trouble listening. She clutched her handless arm and let her head fall against his chest.
Chapter 9: The Wanderer and the Willow
THE intrusion of the old woman’s voice made Bai look over his shoulder.
The immortal behind him hunched slightly with age. Her hair was almost as white as his own usually was, and deep crow’s feet stretched beside both eyes. The only thing that reminded him of the Neela he had known was her sky-blue eyes and her brilliant blue sari – even her essence had changed drastically.
“Get away from my granddaughter, you lecherous old man!” she barked at him.
Startled, he released Jin’s hand. Maybe Neela’s essence wasn’t that different.
“Jin’s been poisoned,” he explained. “It’s in her blood.”
Neela pushed past him and began to touch Jin everywhere.
It was only then that Bai realized Jin was unconscious. He fought the urge to return to her side and let Neela complete her inspection.
“I don’t know what to do,” Neela told him, a quaver he had never heard before in her voice. “The poison is in her blood, but I can only purify her veins.”
“Blood follows a cycle,” he told her. “All of it will eventually pass through the veins. So clean it in stages.”
Neela held Jin’s hands and concentrated. Bai counted to ninety-seven before Neela turned to glare at him.
“I cleaned her blood. Why hasn’t she awoken?”
Bai clenched his jaw briefly. “The clean blood will have to circulate. May I?” He indicated Jin.
After a moment, Neela reluctantly moved aside.
Bai could not read her essence, but he had spent a couple of centuries studying anatomy. Based on her breath and pulse, Bai could tell she had entered a natural sleep. He sighed, the tension leaving him. “She’ll be fine.”
“Then we need to talk.” Neela seized his arm roughly and pulled him to the prow of the ship.
Bai had to force himself not to shake her off. “I don’t know what you’re thinking–”
“You forget, I hear your thoughts!” she snarled. “My granddaughter is betrothed!”
“I know, I’ve met Xiao. I don’t intend–”
“Don’t you though?” She narrowed her eyes at him. “And what happened to, ‘A warrior must never feel deep emotion’?”
Bai crossed his arms. “I’m not the only one who’s changed.”
Neela narrowed her eyes. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
Bai, who had been referring to her aged appearance, said instead, “I heard about Aashchary. I’m sorry.”
Neela looked out over the river. “Parents shouldn’t outlive their children.”
Bai had no reply.
Neela turned back to him, her eyes guarded. “What are the two of you doing on the Kuanbai anyway? When did you leave your mountain?”
“A little over two weeks ago. Jin and Xiao came there, looking for the key to the Underworld.”
Neela’s brow furrowed and she shook her head. She opened and closed her mouth twice, as if she couldn’t even decide what to ask first.
“Perhaps I need to back up. You know that Aka is under a death curse?”
Neela didn’t look surprised. “Haraa told me.”
Of course, Bai thought wryly, the original gossips. “Jin is trying to go to the Underworld to fetch a black peony. She hopes to save him.”
Neela crossed her arms. “And you're helping? Bringing the key for her?”
Bai hesitated, not sure he wanted to tell Neela everything. But of course, with Neela, one doesn’t always have the choice.
“Jin is carrying the key? You trust her?”
And what exactly did Neela know about the key? “What’s there to trust?”
Neela snorted. “I know that you can pull power from the immortal creatures through it – Zi told me.”
Neela must be closer to Zi than she used to be. Bai wondered what else had changed. “I don’t have to trust her. She fixed it so that no one can channel the immortal creatures’ power ever again.”
Neela stared at him, but she said nothing.
Eighteen millennia ago, Bai had always felt that he, Cheng, Haraa, and Neela were of like minds. But if Neela was now close enough to Zi to learn secrets... “Why did you lie to me? You claimed Aashchary’s father was a mortal when he was in fact Cheng.”
Neela’s face froze. “No one can lie to you.”
“Cheng could,” Bai argued. “I wouldn’t have expected it to transfer, but somehow carrying his child gave you the ability as well.”
Neela barely seemed to breathe as she replied, eerily calm, “I didn’t lie. I believed her father was a mortal – then.”
“I don’t understand.”
Neela’s eyes were scanning the area around Bai – it almost seemed aimless, as if she was too embarrassed to meet his eyes, but there was a hint of desperation in it. “You know that Cheng weakens my power, as he does yours?”
Bai nodded.
“Well, then you know as much as I.”
That couldn’t be the whole of it. Why did Neela seem so upset? “Then how did you find out? Did you confront him?”
Neela sighed. “You know, just because you’re the oldest doesn’t mean you have the right to know everything. But when I couldn’t read my own daughter, I suspected.”
“What did Cheng say?”
“I got no answers from him. No one has seen him in several thousand years.”
Bai felt like someone had poured lead in
his gut. He had already heard as much from Nanami and Jin, but he had dismissed their words. When Neela said it, he knew something must have happened to his friend. “You think he’s dead?”
Neela shrugged. Bai felt like she had slapped him – she didn’t seem to care one way or another. She looked at Jin’s still form on the pallet. “You read essences – you could tell that Jin is related to Cheng?”
“As sure as I can be, without confirmation from the man.”
“Did you read anything else?” Her voice was too careful, and Bai stated his hunch as fact.
“Gang is her father.”
Neela scoffed – a harsh, angry sound. “So that’s what this is about – you’ve decided to accept Noran’s granddaughter in her place. Jin does have her eyes – but they’ve nothing else in common.”
Bai took a deep breath. He was furious – partly because he worried Neela was right. Was he still obsessed? Had that initial attraction he’d felt for Jin simply been because he saw Noran in her?
But Neela was right that they weren’t alike in personality. And he liked Jin’s personality.
Bai struggled to turn his thoughts. “If Aashchary married Aka, how did she come to bear Gang’s daughter?”
Neela rolled her eyes. “Surely even you can figure that out on your own. To answer your real question, Aka knows. Knew, perhaps I should say.” Neela grabbed his hand. Her gnarled fingers dug into his palm, clawlike. “Gang and I are the only others that know he fathered her. I am the only one who knows about Cheng. Please...”
Bai stared at her, unsure of how to respond.
“Bai, you are the one who protected Gang! So many immortals feared his potential, the combining of two Colors, that he would have been killed if you hadn’t. And he has never tried for dominion, has always been content to live in his father’s shadow. Jin doesn’t even know her own potential. Aashchary very cleverly limited her by naming her Goddess of Beauty... You won’t hurt her? Please, keep this secret! She means everything to me...” And Neela, for the first time that he had seen, cried. Fat tears caught in the crevices of her face. Snot ran from her nose.
Vows of Gold and Laughter (The Immortal Beings Book 1) Page 20
