Vows of Gold and Laughter (The Immortal Beings Book 1)

by Edith Pawlicki

  Nanami blanched and chewed on her lips.

  “You should all teleport away,” Jin suggested.

  “We can’t,” Bai told her. “At least Nanami and I can’t – Ao is holding us here, and the sea is his territory. If you gave me Kunjee, perhaps you and Xiao–”

  “No,” Jin and Xiao said together, and Xiao wondered if Jin’s flat refusal was for Kunjee or for their companions.

  “If I transform into an orca again–” Xiao suggested.

  “You’ll be putting yourself directly in his element,” Bai shook his head. “It’s not a good idea.” He hesitated. “I will summon a cloud. We can all ride it, at least to the Crescent Moon.”

  “Do it.” Xiao said. Then he looked at Nanami, worried by her silence. Her lips looked bloodless. Taking a step closer to her, he clasped her elbow. “What is it, Nanami?”

  “It’s me. He told me never to contaminate his seas again. There’s never been any reason too. I – I guess I thought it didn’t matter anymore. It was thirteen millennia ago!”

  “You can’t be sure,” Xiao argued, “You said he must be supporting Salaana. Perhaps he wishes to capture Jin–”

  “No, it’s me.” She closed her eyes. “I’m so sick of this. Why – why does he get to have any say over my life? If he wants that then – then–” She swallowed.

  Xiao’s hand tightened convulsively on Nanami’s arm, but she didn’t seem to notice. He looked down at her stump. She wouldn’t have lost her hand if not for her sister’s betrayal. Xiao felt abruptly angry. So angry that his voice shook when he spoke.

  “I can teleport in and out of the Sea Dragon’s Palace. I could break Bai’s hold on me, so I can break the Dragon’s too.” Xiao didn’t even bother checking with Bai for confirmation. He was sure of what he said. “If you want to confront him, Nanami, I will go with you. I won’t let them hurt you. I’ll take you out of there if need be.”

  Nanami met his eyes. Xiao wasn’t sure what she saw, but the defeated look faded from her face, leaving the confident, pragmatic thief who had stolen her way into his heart.

  “Yes. Yes, that’s what I want to do. Thank you.” Then, in full view of Jin and Bai, she went on her tiptoes and kissed him on the lips.

  Xiao was so startled that he blushed – he hadn’t known he still could – and glared at Jin, who was smiling slightly, and Bai, whose brow was raised. Those two really were perfect for each other, they were both so predictable.

  “Then we should come with you,” Jin suggested. “Then perhaps we could rebuild Nanami’s hand...”

  “Her hand?” Xiao echoed.

  “That’s what we were discussing when you interrupted–”

  “No,” said Nanami. “It might not even work, and since you cannot teleport Kunjee, nothing short of an all-out fight would free it from my father’s hands once he has it under his power. And they may not consider themselves my family, but I have no desire to see the First slaughter them all, if it comes to that. You and Bai should go on without us.”

  Xiao looked at Jin. Her duties as a friend and as a daughter sparred on her face.

  “I agree,” said Bai, and Jin immediately looked at him. It didn’t even sting when her face cleared, and she nodded.

  “Very well.” She took a deep breath then stepped forward to hug both Xiao and Nanami. “May fate smile on you both.”

  Xiao caught her hand as she pulled away and kissed her forehead. Despite the weeks of travel, her hair smelled of citrus and honey, and Xiao had to smile. “And also on you,” he returned her benediction.

  Jin smiled back and said, “I’ll fetch our things.”

  As she walked away, Bai clasped Xiao’s arm. “Thank you.”

  “You’ll be stuck on a cloud together for a few hours,” Xiao told him. “Could be a good time to talk.”

  Brow arch. Then Bai focused skyward, and wisps of white began to collect around him. Xiao stepped back startled, and Nanami pressed against his side with a wink. By the time Jin returned, Bai was half-engulfed in dense fog – a cloud. Bai mounted the cloud as if it were as solid as rock. Jin handed him two bags and tried to do the same, but it remained insubstantial beneath her foot. Xiao didn’t miss Bai’s nonplused expression before he pulled her up and settled her in his lap. Bai murmured an apology as Jin blushed. And then they were flying away.

  When they were out of sight, Xiao took a breath and turned back to Nanami. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  She punched him in the gut – not hard, though Xiao bent over and groaned.

  “Are you sure you’re strong enough?” she retorted, and he grinned at her.

  “By the way, you need more practice,” he told her.

  “With punching?” Nanami’s brows knitted adorably.

  He pulled her flush against his chest and kissed her lips softly, teasing them until he felt her melt against him. He pulled back then and smiled at her. “No, kissing.”

  Chapter 13: The Sin of Destruction

  THOUGH the weather was mild and the sky blazed blue overhead, a fierce wind carried the small white cloud at a speed the Yanou could never have matched. Bai sat cross-legged, and Jin sat in his lap, her legs dangling in the cold damp of the cloud. Jin didn’t mind the damp – put it down to being half flower on her mother’s side – but the lap sitting was disconcerting. If she turned her head even slightly to the right, her face would be inches from his, and Bai’s arms were wrapped tightly about her waist, pleasant if unsettling bands of heat that secured her against his chest. Jin clutched those arms out of necessity. All that kept her from plummeting into the ocean miles below was Bai.

  Although she strived to live in the moment – and never had she better reason to do so, with the danger of falling very real – Jin’s mind darted from thought to thought like a minnow searching for food.

  When Bai had insisted they travel by boat, he had clung to the excuse that Jin wasn’t prepared for the immortal creatures of the Underworld. It had rung true, but Jin now looked for the unsaid whenever Bai spoke, and she was certain there was another reason. Why was it that he had immediately changed his mind when he thought she was in danger?

  He was very eager to keep her out of danger. She had spent the last few days on the Yanou turning over their conversations on the Kuanbai. He had said she made him want to live again and that he found her the most desirable being he had ever encountered. Jin had thought that tantamount to a confession of love, but she had realized that he might very well be talking about lust and lust only.

  If it were merely lust, why wouldn’t he kiss her? Seduce her? Fate knew she wanted to be seduced, even though she hadn’t found the courage to do the seducing.

  She had thought his reluctance to do more than touch her hand because of her betrothal signaled deeper feelings, but maybe it was simply his own moral code. She wanted to ask him, yet she was afraid of his reply.

  Finally she thought of a question whose potential answers didn’t make her gut clench.

  “Have you never given anyone a ride before?”

  “I have,” came Bai’s reply, a little strangled. At least she wasn’t the only one discomfited by their close proximity. “When Gang was my student, we frequently used clouds to survey the land and mortal conflicts.”

  Jin pictured it – even given that Gang must have been younger and probably slighter, it was absurd to imagine him squeezed onto Bai’s lap like this. She snorted, “I shall take comfort in that our ride must be far less awkward than those.”

  Bai shifted slightly, and she felt his embarrassment. “He didn’t – that is, Gang found the cloud quite solid.”

  Jin frowned. “But that would be because of you, not Gang! Why isn’t it solid for me?”

  Bai took a deep breath. “I don’t know. I’m sorry.”

  Bai’s confession rang with truth, and suddenly, Nanami’s words came back to her.

  Bai is very powerful, but not at all in touch with his feelings.

 
; Jin realized that the cloud wouldn’t support her because it gave Bai an excuse to hold her. I guess I’m not the only one who uses her powers subconsciously. Jin wanted to point that out, to bring those feelings into the open, but it was too delicate.

  Instead she asked, “Why the Crescent Moon?”

  Bai’s arms tightened about her waist, and Jin felt his surprise. “Sorry?”

  “I mean, why are you so insistent we stop there? Or is it just an arbitrary choice to slow the journey?”

  Bai blinked, his smooth face unreadable. “It is not an arbitrary choice, but it may be a fool’s errand. A long time ago, the Moon Deer had the most complete records of the immortal creatures. But if Aka was familiar with the collection, it would undoubtedly have been destroyed.”

  Jin frowned. “Why would he do that?”

  “Why would he claim I died serving him?” Bai countered.

  Jin hesitated, then she tried to answer the question. “You were a threat to the legend he was constructing. I grew up believing he was the oldest living immortal. Being the oldest seems to imply a right to rule...”

  “This collection would also challenge his legend.”

  “How so?” Jin twisted slightly so that she could see his face.

  Bai looked down at her – his eyes grazed her lips and she could feel his yearning for her. But he looked ahead in the next moment, and all he said was, “What do you know about the immortal creatures?”

  “The creatures were monsters that harassed immortals and mortals alike.”

  “Calling them monsters would be like referring to all mortals as criminals. The immortal creatures were of various natures, some good, some bad, some in between, just as mortals – and immortals, for that matter – are.”

  “Then why lock them away? It seems like an awful lot of work.”

  “Ambition. Power. Worshippers. All immortal creatures lived on Earth, and many of them were worshipped by their local mortals. Many creatures were dangerous and violent, like the Xuezei that Nanami described or Olli the Spider or the Bulgae. But others were benevolent. The Golden Phoenix protected Bando from invaders and would save children from the Bulgae. The Koch-ssi made the island of Po so fertile that the air smelled like honey. And the Three-Headed Elephant taught the Jeevantians their writing. Aka locked all of them away, both beloved and feared.”

  “And once their patrons were gone, who better to fill the void than the being who had proven himself more powerful?”

  Bai’s grey eyes burned into her own. “Indeed.”

  Jin sought another safe question.

  “If the Moon Deer still has his collection, then what? I read and memorize it? How long do you intend us to stay there?”

  “Aka’s death curse still has more than ten months to go. Why not spend most of that time enhancing your magic – and yes, memorizing the immortal creatures?”

  Jin hesitated. “Won’t I need that time in the Underworld? To find the black peony?”

  Bai shook his head. “I know where they grow – I explored all of it before Aka created his gate and can teleport to the Lonely Island. A month would be ample.”

  “Why do I feel you are lying with the truth again? You do want me to look at the collection, and yes, it will have useful information, but that’s not why we are really stopping at the Crescent Moon.” She faced front and closed her eyes. “I feel so stressed because you don’t have faith in me – I want to prove myself to you so badly that it hurts. But perhaps the real question is, why do I have faith in you?”

  Bai stiffened, and Jin cringed. “I’m sorry,” she quickly recanted, “that wasn’t fair. Here you are, carrying me thousands of feet through the air to support my quest and protect me. That’s why I have faith in you. Please, pretend I didn’t say that.”

  He made no response.

  An hour later, Jin saw Ah on their right, easily recognizable because of its large lake, and then the Crescent Moon came into view. Created by volcanic activity, its steep mountains were covered by forests. The Crescent Moon had relatively few mortals, and its largest city was smaller than Liushi.

  As the cloud reached the Crescent Moon, it slowed. Jin supposed that this was the natural effect of passing over land. She soon spotted Taitou, the highest mountain on the landmass, and began scanning around it for the Moon Deer’s home, Tsuku. Jin had never been before – like the Sea Palace, Neela was not welcome – but she had heard of it.

  “I’m afraid.” Bai’s confession was so sudden that Jin did not immediately react.

  Then she twisted to look at him. “What?”

  “I’m afraid,” he repeated.

  “Why?”

  “It’s been a very long time since I’ve really cared about anything.”

  What was he referring to?

  “I just want – I just need a little more time to figure it out.”

  “And you want to figure it out before we go to the Underworld?” she guessed, still confused as to what “it” was.

  “Yes.” He cleared his throat. “Xiao is looking for a way to break your betrothal. If – well, that would make it easier.”

  Jin felt a moment of blinding clarity. “You mean you really care about me? You’re trying to figure out us?”

  Bai looked like he was choking. His head bobbed awkwardly – a nod.

  “But then – shouldn’t we figure it out together?”

  He shrugged and avoided her eyes. Neither of them spoke again until they reached Tsuku.

  BAI directed the cloud to where perhaps ten immortals congregated inside the walls of Tsuku. They watched the cloud descend and were obviously waiting for them. Bai let the cloud dissipate as he assisted Jin to her feet so that they were left standing on the ground. Bai scanned the crowd and felt disappointed. Since the Moon Deer was a friend, he had been here too many times to count, but there were more unfamiliar faces than familiar ones.

  A tall, slim man stepped out of the crowd. His full, black-painted lips were quirked in a mocking smile, and his dark eyes were made large and mysterious by kohl. His rich cinnamon skin was smooth and taut; lush raven-black hair hung loose about his shoulders, yet Bai suspected it had been carefully styled. At his wrists and throat, black underrobes peeked out from beneath red robes embroidered with white flames.

  “Salaana’s been searching for you high and low, little one. How sweet that I should encounter you without the least effort.” He spread his arms wide, and Bai was confused by the gesture until Jin flung herself against him. He wrapped her in a tight embrace and swung her around.

  “Karana!” she said. Bai barely recognized the stiff and cold woman he held in his arms during the cloud ride; sunshine filled her voice and smile.

  Bai touched the shrunken Starlight Sword in his sash before he could stop himself.

  A vaguely familiar woman with an oval face and a crown of shining hair stepped forward to greet him.

  “First,” she said and bowed. “It has been far too long since our hall was graced by your presence. To what do we owe this honor?”

  Bai managed to place her as the eldest daughter of the Moon Deer. “Lady Atsuko,” he returned the bow. “My friend and I are hoping for the privilege of using your father’s library. If it is agreeable, we would stay for some time.”

  “You and the Sun Emperor’s daughter are always most welcome here. Her brother will be delighted to have his sister’s company while he confers with my father.”

  Bai looked again at the handsome man who had set Jin down but continued to hold her hands. He should have listened more carefully when Nanami and Xiao had discussed the Sun Court. This must be the second of the Goddess of Lightning’s children. Bai vaguely recalled meeting him as a boy of two thousand years when visiting Gang at the Sun Court. He was the God of Havoc or Devastation or something like that.

  Bai stood as close to Jin as manners allowed. After a moment, Karana met his eyes over Jin’s head, his gaze frank and cynical.

  �
�Won’t you introduce me to your – friend – Jin?” There was just enough isolation around the label to denote skepticism, and Bai bridled.

  “This is Bai. The Great Warrior.” Jin looked back at Bai over her shoulder, perhaps seeking his approval for her introduction.

  “Most people call me First.”

  “Bai is fine with me,” Karana showed his white even teeth.

  Jin laughed awkwardly and Bai realized that while she regretted her brother’s rudeness, she was hoping Bai would overlook it. “And this is my brother, Karana, the God of Destruction.”

  “Her favorite sibling,” Karana added.

  Jin pulled her hands free from his and poked Karana in the ribs. “You mustn’t say such things.”

  “Don’t worry,” he said, “I wouldn’t if Gu were here – but Salaana and Gang wouldn’t care.”

  A shadow passed over Jin’s face, and Bai knew Gang’s name had reminded her that Karana was not her sibling – none of them were. They were her uncles, aunt, and father.

  “We’ve actually met before,” Bai put in, to distract Karana from Jin’s reaction. “When you were just a boy.”

  Karana smiled. “I remember. You sparred with Gang in the training yard and knocked him to the ground. I’d never seen anyone do that before – or since.”

  Bai inclined his head in acknowledgement, even as he regretted mentioning it. He should have realized that if Karana remembered Bai, he would associate him with Gang.

  “But nobody’s seen you in what, seventeen millennia? Most people said you died or slept or whatever it is you do when you grow bored of life.”

  “I don’t believe in growing bored of life,” Bai said sharply.

  “No?” Karana smiled. “I heard that your friend – Cheng was it? – did.”

  Bai frowned and his hands clenched.

  “Anyway, my apologies if I offended you.” The mocking smile didn’t seem the least bit apologetic.

  “And who was it that told you about Cheng?” Bai said.

  Karana’s brows lifted. “He hasn’t been seen almost as long as you. But I think it was the Moon Goddess who first told me.”