by Claire Luana
The room spun around her, descending into an amalgam of shouts and voices and anger. Ozora unsheathed his sword and took a threatening step towards the throne, and a moonburner responded with a warning strike at his feet. Master Vita shook her arm insistently, whispering sounds in her ear that refused to form into words. Finally, the meaning broke through the white noise clouding her mind. “The treaty!”
“You don’t have that authority,” she said quietly, so softly that no one heard her amidst the shouting and threats. Azura drew herself up to her full height, and stepped forward, lifting the hem of her purple gown. “Stop!” she shouted, and the room fell deathly silent as all eyes turned towards her. All the sunburners had swords out now, and two of the moonburner guards had moved in front of the throne.
“You don’t have the authority,” Azura said, in a more tempered tone.
“What do you mean?” her mother asked, her voice clipped.
“You don’t have the authority to sentence him.” Azura turned to Master Vita, who nodded encouragingly.
“Master Vita found this scroll in our libraries,” Azura said. “It is an ancient treaty between Kita and Miina. It is still valid, Master Vita did the research himself.”
Azura crossed the room to where Ozora stood and unrolled the scroll before him. He read quickly, focusing on the paragraph she had revealed. The queen leaned forward, curious but unwilling to look too eager.
“It says that a ruler of Kita or Miina has the right to sentence their own subjects for crimes,” he said. “Even if the crimes are committed in foreign territory.” His voice carried a hint of triumph.
“Preposterous!” the queen said. “Let me see that.” She walked down and snatched the scroll from Azura’s grasp, glaring at her daughter.
Queen Isia read the scroll and examined its heading. Finally she sighed, rolling it up and handing it back to Azura. “Master Vita, you assure us this scroll is genuine?”
“Yes, your Majesty,” he said meekly.
“Fine,” she said. “King Ozora, you may sentence your own man to death.”
“Wait a minute now!” Ozora said. “If I get to sentence him, the sentence is my choice.”
“Your man has confessed. Rest assured,” she said, approaching him and coming to a stop dangerously close to his chest. “If you fail to adequately punish this man for his attempted assault on a member of the Miinan royal family, there will be no peace between our two nations. I will be forced to defend my daughter’s honor myself. With this man’s blood, and the blood of his brothers.”
The king’s hand returned to his sword hilt as he looked at Takeo, then Azura, realizing the predicament he was in. Takeo smiled and nodded at the king, as if to show him that it was all right. Azura wanted to slap him. Why was he being so complacent? Was he so eager to die? To be rid of her?
As the king pondered, Azura felt her anger deflate, replaced by despair. She had tried to save him. And despite his idiotic insistence on sacrificing himself, she had almost done it. They had found a loophole. But it hadn’t been enough.
But it was Ipan, the barrel-chested sunburner, who stepped forward then. He approached the king and whispered something in his ear. Ozora’s face lit up. He clapped Ipan on the shoulder and turned to the queen.
“My friend reminded me that one of the ways that a death sentence may be carried out in Kita is exile to the Tottori Desert. To let Taiyo be the ultimate executioner.”
“This sounds like a ploy,” the queen said. “Master Vita, have you heard of such a thing?”
Azura gripped Master Vita’s hand. Even if he hadn’t, she prayed the man would lie. The Tottori desert, the vast desert expanse that stretched between their two lands, was inhospitable, but men could survive for a few days. If Takeo was exiled, perhaps he could be rescued. Saved from death.
“Taiyo’s Test,” Master Vita mused. “I have heard of it. It is an ancient tradition practiced by generations of Kitan nobles.”
“See!” Ozora said. “Takeo, for your confessed crime of attempted assault on Princess Airi, I sentence you to death by way of Taiyo’s Test, in the Tottori.”
Queen Isia let out a frustrated hiss, crossing her arms before her chest. “A weak sentence,” she said. “Hardly enough.”
“But enough,” King Ozora said, now stepping in close to the queen. “I have subjected my captain, a dear friend and ally, to your so-called moonburner justice. I have complied with your demands, and now I have sentenced him to death. Your daughter’s honor, what little of it there may be, is protected. As for our peace treaty, I think we both should take some time to allow the events of these few days to pass behind us. We will pack our things and leave tomorrow.”
“You think I’ll allow you to take Takeo with you?” the queen said. “Oh no. I insist on seeing his sentence carried out. We will journey to the desert by koumori and leave him ourselves.”
“Fine,” the king said, teeth grinding. “Tomorrow we will carry out Takeo’s sentence, and the next day, we leave.”
CHAPTER 15
Azura
Master Vita gripped Azura’s hand and squeezed as they turned to file out of the throne room. Azura’s mind spun. Nothing had gone as planned. Takeo was not getting the headsman’s axe tomorrow morning at dusk, but he was still facing a death sentence. Could he survive the desert without help? Find his way out?
“Azura,” her mother called from the throne. “Will you stay a moment?”
Azura gave Master Vita a little smile and turned back, walking up the three marble steps onto the dais. The wooden doors at the end of the room closed with a thud as the last moonburner guard trailed out.
Her mother stood and fixed her gaze on Azura. “Do not EVER pull a stunt like that again,” Isia said, her voice low and hard.
Azura was taken aback. “What?”
“You undermined my authority in front of a foreign dignitary,” her mother hissed. “I had made my pronouncement. I had sentenced the man. It was done before you stuck your nose where it didn’t belong.”
“I…I thought it was the right thing to do,” Azura said.
“You thought?” her mother shrieked. “You believe because Master Vita teaches you about ruling that you know better than I do? Your job is not to think. Your job is to do as I tell you! I am your mother and your queen.”
Azura bristled. She had always been a perfect daughter, doing everything her mother asked of her. But she wasn’t going to stand by and let Takeo be executed for something he hadn’t done.
“I don’t care if he confessed, Takeo was innocent,” Azura said. “I couldn’t stand by and let you execute an innocent man! Airi admitted to me that she lied.”
“Of course she lied!” the queen said, throwing her hands in the air. “Do you think I bought her dramatic act? Believed her when she said that man forced himself on her when it’s so obvious that the two of you are sneaking off into dark corners every chance you get?”
Her face flushed, through her mother’s words chilled Azura to the core. Had she meant… “You…you knew she was lying? That he was innocent?”
“Do you think I’ve kept this throne for the last twenty years by being ignorant of what goes on under my own roof? I’m not blind, Azura, even if that fool king is.”
“Why didn’t you say something then?” Azura’s mind was stuttering, unable to comprehend what her mother was telling her. “How could you try him? Sentence him to death?”
“Do you think I would marry you to the king knowing his captain was waiting in the wings to have a go with you every time Ozora’s back was turned? Honestly, how long do you think you could have kept it from the king? And what do you think would happen to our peace accord when he found out? I couldn’t jeopardize my political plans because you can’t keep your skirt down.”
White hot anger burned through Azura. “You sentenced the man I love to death to serve your political plans? To keep me away from him?”
“Oh really, Azura,” her mother said. “Grow up. You think
you love him because he was the first. But no doubt you will know many men over the course of your reign, and you will come to recognize this for the childish infatuation it is. Clearly I needed to step in until you learn to conduct your affairs with some discretion.”
“Takeo is the only man I will ever love!” Azura shrieked. “And now his life is forfeit. How dare you doubt my love for him! Just because you’re heartless and have never loved anyone, doesn’t mean I’m like you!”
“Of course I’ve loved someone,” Isia said. “When I was young and foolish too. Do you know what I got for it?”
“What?” Azura asked.
The queen pulled the neckline of her gown down between her breasts, revealing a pattern of puckered white scars on her chest that Azura had never seen before. “I almost got assassinated,” the queen hissed. “My love was just using me, getting close to me and gaining my trust so he could secure the throne of Miina for his master.” Isia’s voice wavered slightly. “I learned the hard way never to trust a man.”
“Takeo’s not like that,” Azura said. “Just because your love betrayed you doesn’t mean mine will!”
“Don’t be naive. They’re all the same. They use us for their own purposes,” Isia said. “So we have to beat them at their own game—to use them first. At least with Ozora, you know why he’s marrying you. You won’t be crippled by any fantasies of romance.”
Azura opened and closed her mouth, too furious to speak. Finally, she found her voice. “I won’t marry Ozora,” she said. “I won’t be your pawn.”
The queen grabbed her by the upper arms, drawing her close. Had those hard eyes ever held warmth? Or had it been her imagination, even as a child?
“You will marry Ozora if I say you will, even if I have to drag you to the ceremony in chains.”
“No,” Azura said, sticking her chin out.
Her mother’s grip tightened painfully. “Don’t push me, child. Perhaps you think you care little for yourself, but what about Master Vita? Nanase? Or Lyra?”
Azura’s gaze flew to Lyra, who backed up a few steps, hiding behind the throne.
“What do you think will happen to them if you refuse to cooperate?”
“You wouldn’t,” Azura whispered, trying to keep the pain out of her voice. Her mother’s fingers were digging into her arms hard enough to leave bruises.
“Don’t. Push Me,” her mother said.
“You’re hurting me.”
Her mother released her and stroked Azura’s hair once, stepping back. Azura couldn’t stifle a shudder.
“I know it feels unfair, my daughter. But the role you play in our country’s future is too important to let you throw it all away for some handsome face. It is the price we pay for ruling.”
Azura nodded woodenly, wanting nothing more than to flee her mother’s presence. True, her mother had never been warm and loving like she imagined a mother should be, but that was not uncommon in the citadel. But Azura had thought at least that her mother cared for her. She had been sorely mistaken.
“I’ll never forgive you for this,” Azura whispered, after the silence became unbearable.
“I don’t need your forgiveness,” the queen said. “Just your obedience.”
“Is that all?” Azura asked.
“Yes,” the queen said. “So long as you understand.”
“I understand,” Azura said.
I understand what I have to do, she thought grimly.
CHAPTER 16
Azura
Azura couldn’t stay. That much was clear.
“Are you really going to do this?” Lyra asked, sitting on a nearby chair and watching Azura pack items into a satchel.
“I have to,” she said, tossing rejected items on the bed. She wouldn’t need pens and ink, what was she thinking? Strictly survival.
“It is a big world out there,” Lyra said.
Azura stopped and met Lyra’s silver eyes. “You don’t think I can do it? You think I’m some pampered princess like all the rest?”
“Of course you can survive on your own. That’s not it. You will be on the run. You’ll have to evade your mother’s best hunters. You heard what she said in the throne room. You’re part of her plan. She won’t rest until she has her heir back.”
Azura fought back angry tears. “I wish I’d never been born a Shigetsu. I wish I wasn’t a moonburner. I wish I was an ordinary woman, not part of anyone’s plan, or peace treaty or alliance.”
“If you really had that choice, you would take it?” Lyra asked. “Truly?”
Azura stopped for a moment, thinking. Imagining her life. She didn’t want luxury or riches or power. She wanted to be free. To choose for herself. “Yes,” she replied. “If I could give it up, I would.”
A troubled look flashed across Lyra’s furry features.
A knock sounded at her door. “Just a minute!” Azura cried, stuffing her bag and discarded items under her bed.
“Come in,” she said.
It was Master Vita. His graying hair was even wilder than usual, and he looked wary.
“Master Vita,” she said, ushering him into the room. “What brings you here?”
“I saw your expression in the throne room when Ozora sentenced Takeo. I can’t stop thinking about it. You mean to leave, don’t you? To go after Takeo. To rescue him.”
Azura sat down at one of the chairs at her little table, unsure of what to say. He followed her lead and sat in the chair opposite.
“Yes,” she said, finally turning her gaze to meet his. “I’ll leave while my mother and the sunburners deliver Takeo to the desert. By the time they get back, I’ll be gone, on my way to save him.”
“How will you survive the desert?”
“I will bring enough water and food for both of us. With Lyra and Bako’s help, we will be able to find our way out before we run out of provisions.”
“I could tell your mother what you plan,” he threatened.
“If you were going to do that, you wouldn’t be here,” she said, praying she was right.
He was silent for a moment. “And what of your duties as heir?”
“I can’t stay in the citadel after what my mother has done,” she said.
“I know you are angry at your mother for sentencing Takeo, but she was just doing what she thought was right. To protect Airi.”
“No, she wasn’t,” Azura said. “She knows Airi is lying and she knows Takeo and I are in love. She sentenced him to death so he wouldn’t ruin her plan of a royal marriage.”
His bushy white eyebrows flew up. “How do you know this?”
“She told me,” Azura said. “Before she threatened to hurt everyone I care about if I don’t do exactly as she commands.”
He blew out a breath in disbelief. “I’m sorry Azura. I wish I were more surprised by this revelation. I understand why you want to leave. But…” he hesitated. “What of the kingdom? You would abandon Miina to your sister? After the poor judgment she has shown?”
“Airi is young, she’ll grow out of this phase,” Azura fiddled with a dirty teacup left abandoned on the table top from breakfast. “All I know is that the thought of staying here and following my mother’s command suffocates me. I would rather die.”
“I always knew you were too good for this life, even as a child. Running a country is a dark business. But I had hoped…that you would bring us all into the light.” Master Vita said softly. He sighed and leaned back, the chair creaking softly beneath him. He closed his eyes for a moment, and Azura held her breath, feeling her future poised on the edge of a knife.
When his eyes opened again, they were filled with resolve. “I love you like a daughter, and I cannot see you suffer. If I can’t stop you from leaving, then I can at least help you. Give you the best possible chance.”
“Thank you,” she said, grabbing his hands and squeezing, her body flooding with relief. “I’ve always been able to count on you.”
“Your plan won’t work,” he said. “As soon as they
find you gone, they’ll realize where you went, and will head back to the Tottori to retrieve you. There is nowhere to hide from their koumori in the desert, and you won’t make it to shelter in time.”
Azura’s spirits fell. He was right. They would stand out like black pieces on a white goa square. “What can I do?” she asked.
“The only way they won’t look for you—the only way you can truly be free of the citadel and your responsibilities—is if they think you’re both dead.”
“Dead?”
“Dead.”
“I don’t understand,” she admitted. “I suppose they will assume the Tottori will kill Takeo. But why would they think I am dead?”
“Because we will make it seem like you are dead.”
“I think you’re going to have to start from the beginning,” she said.
Master Vita laid out his plan. Through a tonic mixed from a powerful sedative and a small dose of nightmark poison, Azura would succumb to a sleep that mimicked death. Her heart rate, breathing, and vital signs would lower to the point of being undetectable. Master Vita would “discover” her body and raise the alarm. She would be placed in the royal crypt, which had a secret exit out the back. When all was clear, Master Vita would sneak into the crypt, free her, and she would make her escape. Master Vita knew a rancher on the outskirts of town who bred koumori and could provide Azura a mount. She would rescue Takeo, and escape into the wilds of Miina or Kita. No one would ever come looking for them.
“It’s a miracle of a plan,” Azura said when he finished.
“The only problem is that you and Takeo will be highly recognizable as sun and moonburners. You might draw unwanted attention.”
“It’s fine,” Azura said. “We will avoid towns and people, stay in the wilderness. We won’t be recognized.”
“That sounds like a lonely existence,” he said. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“It is,” she said with conviction. “It’s the only way.”