“I tried to explain this outside,” I said. “We are from the Kingdom of Brethnach, and we are on our way to see Advisor Yonge. He invited us here.”
“What proof do you have?”
I held out my wrist with the bracelet. “He told us through his avatar that he could remove these.”
The man gave it a dismissive glance. “I’m sorry, but you are not allowed to pass until you remove your curses. The law is quite clear.”
Fumiko sighed and turned her back to the man. She took off her cloak and loosened her shirt. Then, slipping it down her shoulder, she revealed her butterfly tattoo.
His eyes went wide. “Come with me.” There was a sudden tremor to his voice.
The man quickly led us outside and up a set of stairs. He knocked on a door at their top, eyeing Fumiko nervously as he pulled out a kerchief to wipe his sweaty brow. There was a muffled reply from the other side, and we were ushered in.
A man in a fine robe, holding a paper and writing brush, stood in front of a large window overlooking the gate. He turned at our entry, clearly displeased at the interruption. Our escort spoke with the official for a bit in their language before quickly leaving the room.
The official cleared his voice and spoke something to Fumiko. She turned and once more exposed her shoulder to reveal her tattoo.
He sighed. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small piece of carved jade about as big as his thumb. My eyes went up in surprise. It was a beautifully done butterfly from a dark green stone. He then placed the carving in the center of his extended palm and blew on it.
Nothing happened at first, but a heartbeat later, the butterfly began to softly glow and gently pulse. The man licked his lips nervously.
“Hello Administrator,” came a rich, male voice from the orb in near-perfect Ellish. “I take it our visitors are with you?” I instantly recognized the voice.
The administrator immediately gave a short bow. He likewise replied in Ellish. “Imperial Advisor Yonge. It is my honor to speak with you. These people match the description you gave me.”
“Excellent. Please admit them at once. I will have a portal to the palace opened for them on the other side.”
The man’s face drew up in horror. “But Advisor, they have curses.”
“I’m aware of that. I will take responsibility for them.”
“Advisor....”
The voice from the orb took a darker tone. “Administrator, do I need to have the emperor speak with you directly. He will not be pleased with you impeding his guests.”
The man’s face went white. “No Advisor. I will admit them immediately.”
“Good.” And the jewel went dark.
The administrator tucked the butterfly away in a pocket. He then led us from the room back down to the gate, where he personally escorted us through.
On the other side, we waited only a few minutes before a long-range portal opened. It was vertical and man-high. A knight, outfitted in the traditional heavy armor of the region, emerged from it and motioned us forward.
I turned and gave the administrator a bow. “We thank you for allowing us through.”
He waved it off and eyed the knight nervously. “Enjoy your visit to the palace,” he said flatly. “Yonge makes sure you never want to leave.” And with that, he turned away.
What was that about? I shook my head. Perhaps it was an expression that didn’t translate well into Ellish.
Impatiently, the knight motioned us forward.
My companions looked at me, yet I hesitated. This was it—our final portal. Soon, we would get the charm off Zofie, and we could return home. I swore after this, I was never going to travel again.
Unbidden, young Haahleefah’s prophesy came to my mind. “One of your party is going to die.”
I clenched my fists. But what choice did I have? Forward was the only path.
I glanced one more time at my companions and couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of pride. We made a good team. And I loved each one of them in my own way. I could not afford to lose any of them. I would just have to do my best to make sure it didn’t happen.
With renewed determination, I took Zofie’s hand and led my party into the gate.
The trip through the portal was uneventful, and it snapped shut behind us the moment we were clear. We found ourselves in a beautiful garden. Lush green shrubs and carefully manicured foliage lined the wide stone path before us. I was surprised to see the occasional flower despite the chill air and the winter season.
Two rows of brightly dressed servants, about a dozen total men and women, stood on either side of the path before us. Their smiles were as bright as their clothes. At some signal, the servants bowed in unison and said something together in their native language. I started to bow back, but Fumiko caught my arm and leaned close.
“Dignitaries don’t bow to servants,” she whispered.
I nodded in understanding, glancing her way. I couldn’t help but notice how tense she looked. Her expression was so hard, I thought it might crack.
One of the older servants came forward. She spoke in heavily accented Ellish. “My name is Yanmei. And I welcome you to Jianhu Palace.” She bowed deeply. “Please follow me. We have prepared special rooms for you while you are visiting with us.”
“What about Imperial Advisor Yonge?” I asked, eager to get my Zofie back.
Yanmei smiled warmly. “He is busy at the moment but will be calling for you shortly.”
Accompanied by the entire troop of servants, Yanmei led us to a magnificent set of chambers just off from the garden. There was a common room with heavily stuffed couches and chairs. Leading off from it were five individual bedrooms and an equally large bath. However, my eyes were instantly drawn to a table under a large window overlooking the garden and heavily laden with all sorts of unfamiliar dishes and beverages.
Unfortunately, before I could reach it, the servants redirected us toward the bath. Fumiko pulled me aside and explained it was customary to bathe before visiting with an important official.
I reluctantly went along with them. I was surprised to see the baths divided with movable screens. The females in our group were led to one side, while Spraggel and I were led to the other.
I then had a brief moment with a servant when he tried to remove my clothes. Language did prove to be a barrier, but I managed to get him to leave me to my own bathing.
We all emerged awhile later in fine robes and slippers. Zofie, Fumiko, and Cabrina’s hair had been done up with combs, and their faces dabbed with some kind of red coloring on their lips and black highlighting their eyes.
I sighed when I saw Zofie. She looked so beautiful. But while Zofie was beautiful, Fumiko looked every bit the eastern princess. The clothes, combs, and face coloring seemed so natural on her. It made her look... breath-taking. Any man would fall for her.
I quickly turned away, chiding myself for even thinking of her that way. I had Zofie. I took my princess’s hand and kissed it, glad I wouldn’t have much longer until she was back to her normal smiling self. I had already prepared a quote for her to complete.
Feeling the surprising weight of a stare, I looked up and directly into Fumiko’s eyes. She blinked at being caught and immediately turned away, saying something to Spraggel.
With Fumiko, it was hard to tell since she guarded her emotions so carefully. But I believe there had been an unexpected emotion in her gaze. Longing perhaps? I wasn’t sure, but I prayed to the Creator that I was wrong.
So, we waited. All the servants except Yanmei retreated, and we were left to our own devices. We nibbled on food left for us, talked about what we had been through, and what we intended to do when we got back. Normal stuff. We even quizzed Yanmei on the empire about this and that, and the rumors we had heard. But the sun, easily visible from the garden window, traced toward the horizon with every moment that passed. And I grew increasingly impatient.
I asked Yanmei frequently when we would see the advisor and was told each ti
me that he was busy and would call for us. I couldn’t help feeling we were being purposely delayed. Subtly told, we were here at his pleasure, and he was not beholding to us for anything.
I tried to keep myself calm and not show my agitation. But I must not have been doing so well. At one point, Spraggel put a hand on my arm and asked if I would please stop my pacing.
Fumiko was as closed and guarded as a merchant’s purse. She sat quietly to one side with a clear view of the room. I tried to engage her in conversation about the advisor, but she simply touched her ear and shook her head—indicating we were being listened to. Disappointed, I went back to look out the window.
And still, we waited. The sun sank below the horizon, and our host lighted several myst lanterns. What remained of the food was swapped out for a few platters of hot regional fare and steamed rice. It was tasty, but I was too agitated to eat.
And we waited some more! I was getting irritated. Spraggel went to sleep in his chair, and to keep me from pacing, Cabrina managed to persuade me to play some kind of strategy game. She beat me quite soundly.
It was late in the evening when a servant came and whispered in Yanmei’s ear. She nodded and then turned to us. “Imperial Advisor Yonge has retired for the evening,” she said. “There will be no further audiences, so I suggest you likewise retire.”
I hung my head. I so badly wanted to have my Zofie back that I could barely resist the urge to kick and scream in frustration. Instead, I took my beloved’s hand and pulled her up so we could make our preparations for bed.
After putting Zofie down for the night, I went back to the common room to check on the rest of my party. The lights had already been dimmed, and Yanmei had left, but I sincerely doubted we were unobserved. Both Spraggel and Cabrina were fast asleep in their beds. But when I checked on Fumiko, I found her bed undisturbed. I scratched my head, thinking she might be in the bath.
I jumped at the hand on my shoulder.
“Sorry I startled you,” Fumiko whispered as she stepped in front of me. Her hand trailed down my arm and around to my chest. She paused to pull out the combs from her hair, and giving her head a shake, allowed her tresses to fall to her shoulders. She smiled at me seductively.
I stared at her wide-eyed and started to tell her I needed to get back to Zofie when she silenced me with a single finger to my lips. She leaned against me and slid her arms around my neck, pulling me close. She then stood on tiptoe to reach my ear.
“Follow along,” she breathed. She took my hand and led me over to her bed, drawing back the blanket and pulling me underneath along with her. We lay down facing each other.
Shifting close, she threw her leg over mine and draped her arm around me. She settled with her face mere inches from mine. I couldn’t help but notice how nice she smelled.
I fidgeted, not exactly sure what to do with my hands. For that matter, not exactly sure what to do with me. Fumiko’s proximity made me extremely uncomfortable. I was a man after all, and she was an extremely beautiful woman.
And I was in bed with her.
She leaned close. I could feel her breath. “We can talk now,” she whispered. “I’ve covered us with a tiny myst working, just enough to hide our voices. That’s why we have to be so close.”
“Wouldn’t they notice?”
She nodded. “I’m sure they already have. They will assume I am secretly sleeping with you, and I am merely using the charm to hide the sounds of our passion from the others.”
“I would never...” I stammered.
She gave me a sad smile and pushed my hair out of my eyes. “I know.”
“Is this why you couldn’t answer my questions on Yonge earlier today? Because they’re listening?” My voice squeaked.
Fumiko nodded and settled in closer next to me. “They watch too. There are spy charms all around the rooms. Even in the bath. You wouldn’t notice them unless you had...” She trailed off.
“Received special training?” I offered. “Fumiko, you don’t need to be ashamed of what you were.” I patted her arm. “I’ve accepted that part of your past. And I’m sure Zofie will too.”
She relaxed even more against me. “Thank you.”
“So, what haven’t you told me about Yonge? Other than not to trust him.”
I felt her stir uncomfortably beside me. “I think it best for you to see for yourself.”
“You mean the memory thing again? Can’t you just tell me?”
“Sharing the memory would be best.” She paused and gazed at me a moment. “There is also one last thing you need to know about me. It’s connected. Then everything will make sense.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know, Fumiko. That last one...” I trailed off, knowing I was a coward. Her memories were just too raw.
“It will take too long to explain.” Her hand came up to gently stroke my cheek. “Please. If not for Zofie, would you do it for me? Sharing my past with you has been painful, but it’s also been a relief. To finally unburden my soul a little.”
I sighed. “All right.”
Her hand slipped behind my neck. “Thank you.”
And then she kissed me. It didn’t last long, only a heartbeat or two. My eyes flew open in shock. “Fumiko...”
She put a hand on the side of my face and sighed contently. “Zofie is so lucky.”
I felt her myst begin to gather. And with no fanfare, she sucked me into her memories.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The
Butterfly
After my tears had been cried, kneeling on that hard floor and cradling my first love, anger took over. Why had my masters ordered this man killed? He was a good lord. His people loved him, and he was fighting the darkness in the empire. Wasn’t that what I was supposed to be doing? And why of all people had they sent Jiaying? Why had they forced me to kill my only friend?
I had to have answers.
I swapped out the ceremonial knife for Jiaying’s sword and slipped out of Lord Luoyangei’s manor, heading straight for Master Xiao’s house. As expected, I didn’t make it far. I was intercepted by others from the Emperor’s Butterflies just outside his home. Three of them. I had expected as much. Master likely already knew.
They gave me no chance for explanation—no chance to persuade them to stop. Jiaying’s borrowed blade had to do my speaking for me. We traded blows, back and forth. They were just as well trained as I, but they were not myst users. And like the dark creature I am, the shadows were my friend.
I left them wounded and confused, wondering how such a small person could wreak such havoc.
The sky was just lighting as I stormed into my master’s house, easily defeating the few defenders I encountered and sending the servants fleeing.
I found him waiting for me. He sat on a cushion before a low table drinking tea.
“You dare to come here after failing in your mission!” he shouted.
And I nearly flinched in reflex at the stern voice that had disciplined me in my training. But my anger won out.
“Why was Lord Luoyangei ordered killed? What crime against the emperor did he commit!” I demanded.
I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. I leaned back and extended my myst, slowing the dagger that came speeding at me so that I could grab it out of the air. I sent it back, flying toward the attacker, who went down silently.
I stepped forward and slammed my foot down on the table, my blade stopping a mere finger’s breadth from his throat. “Tell me! Why was he targeted?”
Master Xiao shrugged. “You’ll have to ask the emperor.”
“My father?” I asked in astonishment.
“He asked for you specifically.”
“My father doesn’t even care that I’m alive,” I spat.
A new voice entered the conversation. “Quite the contrary, my dear. He’s been following you very closely. Asks about you all the time.”
That voice. Where had I heard it before? I wheeled toward it. Only I didn’t see anyone. I glanced at my m
aster—his expression was grim.
“Show yourself!” I commanded.
“I’m right here,” said the voice. It came from the open window where a majestic butterfly rested on the window ledge. It took to the air and fluttered over to the table—its wings slowly opening and closing.
“Please excuse this form,” it continued. “But it seemed the fastest way to stop your rampage.”
“Who...?”
“I am Imperial Advisor Yonge.”
My eyes went wide. The voice of the emperor. That’s where I had heard his voice before. He was said to be the second most powerful person in the empire. And the person responsible for our group of assassins.
“Lord Luoyangei was targeted because he was disrupting the order of things.” There was a brief pause. “And those that disrupt have to be put in their place.”
“I saw a kind and just man...”
“You saw what he wanted you to see. He was going to stage a coup against the emperor. Such a threat had to be eliminated.”
“And what was wrong with that? I’ve seen it myself. The empire is rotten. And it’s the emperor that’s allowed it to happen.”
“I’m embarrassed to hear you speak of him that way. Although his eminence has been showing his age lately, he is a great man. A god almost.”
“I’ll kill him,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Come then. He’s resting in the palace garden at the moment. For someone of your abilities, it would be a simple task to get inside. I daresay you’ll have little trouble getting past the palace soldiers and even his personal bodyguards.” I could almost hear his smile. “But your mother would be dead long before you reached him.”
I tried not to show any emotion. “So what do I care? I have no love for her.”
There was a laugh from the butterfly. “Really? I think your relationship with your mother is a little stronger than you admit. Wasn’t she the one that taught you how to use your myst? Even told you never to reveal you had it. And insisted that you disparage her at every opportunity so you would not be drawn into the politics of the court. Sounds more like a concerned parent than someone evil.”
Assassin of Curses: (The Coren Hart Chronicles Book 3) Page 30