“Brother,” Hikaru said.
Hotaru bowed low, much lower than was required. For the sake of appearances he was treating Hikaru like a proper priest.
What does he want? She stood at Hikaru’s side, glaring at the unaware Hotaru.
“We’ve come to leave our offerings and ask the Kami for their blessing for the new year,” Hotaru said. There was none of his usual haughty arrogance. His voice seem tempered. There were bags beneath his eyes and a certain weight to his expression that was not there before.
Rin recognized the members of the Kaedemori clan that joined him, all those that were close to Hotaru and surprisingly no guards. They could not see her, so she was free to scrutinize them at her leisure. She wondered what brought them this far out. They could have performed the new year’s rituals at the family temple just as easily.
Hikaru approached his brother, his hands folded in front of him.
“I suspect you seek more than the blessing of the Kami,” Hikaru said. His voice was not angry, nor cold, more like curious.
Rin’s chest swelled with pride. Hikaru was more generous than she would have been with his forgiveness. His brother had betrayed him and would have had him killed, given the chance. If Hikaru was willing to listen to him, however, then Rin would be patient. One wrong move, and she would strike without mercy.
Hotaru knelt down on the ground, and his household followed. The people of the Kaedemori clan one by one fell to their knees and bowed before Hikaru, their heads nearly brushing the ground. Rin gasped and covered her hand with her mouth.
“I have betrayed you, brother, I conspired against you, but you have received the blessing of the Kami. I have learned the error of my deeds and I seek your forgiveness.”
Hikaru bent down and placed his hand on his brother’s head. “I forgive you. Because I was never the right man to lead the clan and you knew it. This is where I belong.”
Hotaru looked up at his brother. It may have been Rin’s imagination, but it looked like there were tears in his eyes. He stood up and embraced Hikaru. Rin wiped away an errant tear that escaped from her eye. It was good to know they could live here in peace without the interference of the human world. While the witch remained at large, they would never be truly safe. She took a step in their direction, intent on revealing herself to the humans, when a voice called out to her.
“Wait a moment, Rin.”
She spun in place to see the Dragon leaning against the shrine building, with the careless smirk that she loved. Today was a day for surprises.
“Master.” She fell to the ground at his feet in a bow. He came. Why now when I no longer need his help?
He waved his hand. “There is no need for that. Stand, please.”
She got to her feet, her stomach in knots. “Master, why have you come?”
“Why are you so formal, Rin? I have told you thousands of times to address me as your equal.”
She laced her fingers in front of her. “This feels more natural; I am your servant.” I never thought myself worthy of you, so I put myself beneath you. Even when we were lovers I thought myself beneath you.
He shook his head. “I suppose there has been little to serve, which has led you and the others to distraction.” It was not a chastisement, not really. It wasn’t an apology either. She had no doubt that no matter how humble he pretended to be or how human he acted, he was still a proud creature.
He did not move closer and Rin felt more comfortable at a distance. She had not forgotten the fear she’d felt when he tried to kill her. But he seemed unaware. When they had last parted, it had been as lovers, and now their lives had changed drastically. She never thought her life would have taken this path and she was sure the Dragon felt much the same. She still could not believe he had taken a human lover.
“I have heard rumors that you and Shin are serving Akio now.” He frowned. “Akio is rather proud of his acquisition of Shin.” He crossed his arms and Rin knew it was taking all of his self-control to not go stomping back to Akio’s palace and demand the release of his right-hand man.
“Yes,” she said, not daring to say more. Lying to the Dragon would keep him safe until she could stop Akio and get Shin his happy ending after all.
The Dragon shook his head. “I’d say I’m disappointed, but…” He sighed. “I cannot blame you. I should have shielded you from the others. I knew rumors would start, but I let you suffer alone.”
She bowed her head. “Do not blame yourself; it was my choice as well.”
“You’ve done well for yourself, it seems. You have chosen this Hanyou?”
“Yes, Hikaru and I are wed, and we are caretakers to this shrine.”
“You love him, this Hikaru?” the Dragon asked.
She looked at him without answering. Even now, after everything they had been through, she found it difficult to express her feelings to the Dragon.
The dragon petted her on top of her head. She lowered her eyes. “They have a way of creeping into your heart, do they not?”
“This one did,” she replied.
The Dragon sighed. “We live so long, Rin, and they live only a moment. It is difficult to love them, they are fragile, but they love more fiercely because of it.” He looked down at her. “If you have found someone who makes you happy, I want you to stay here with him.”
“Are you sure? I swore fealty to you…”
“And I release you from your promises. I have made my own decisions, and I will not bind you to me as I chase what makes me happy.”
“Then I suppose this is goodbye?” Rin ventured.
He smiled at her. “For now. I am sure we shall see one another again. We do live long lives.”
She bowed to him again as he transformed into his dragon form. His body filled the small space between the buildings and his back end coiled around the top of the shrine. He grinned down at her, revealing his long white teeth.
“Goodbye, Dragon,” Rin said.
He bowed his head before taking off into the sky. She watched him go, closing that chapter of her life.
Hikaru came running around the corner. He craned his head back. “Who was that?” His question was more curious than accusatory.
“An old friend,” she said as she threaded her fingers with his.
They held onto one another for a moment, staring up at the blue sky, not even a cloud to mar its perfection. The dragon’s serpentine body was like a smudge of paint against a blue canvas, growing smaller as he flew into the distance.
She leaned her head against his shoulder and he put his arm around her, bringing her closer. “You know I will live forever,” she said.
He pressed his lips to her hair. “I’ve been thinking about that, actually. I know I will not live forever as you will, but I swear I will always find you. No matter how many lifetimes it takes.”
The fear of his death was real and palpable. It clutched at her heart for a moment. She tightened her grip on his hand. She saw their years stretched out in front of them. For her endless and for him, in the scope of her existence, it was finite. True, he would have a much longer lifespan than most humans. If they were lucky, they would have centuries, but not forever. I have to believe we will find one another again. I know because he was meant for me. She turned and kissed him. “I know you will, and I will be waiting for you each time.”
If you enjoyed this retelling check out the next book in the series, Yuki: A Snow White Retelling. This story follows Hotaru and a head strong young woman named Yuki. Get it here or read on for an excerpt from Yuki.
Run and Hikaru’s story doesn’t end here. Find out what happens in The Priestess and the Dragon. Get your copy here.
Excerpt Yuki
Banners snapped in the wind. Thundering hooves raced down the road. The raucous laughter of soldiers filled the air. In times of war, stealth was necessary. But being in neutral territory, and compared to their recent missions, it didn't hurt to let the men ease some of the tension. It was good to see them smile again. It had been too
long since they'd had a reason to smile. Hotaru wished he could join them in their revelry, but his thoughts were preoccupied. He scanned the horizon, ever vigilant. Just because they were in friendly territory didn't mean they were completely without risk.
"Ease up, my lord. It's a wife, not a death sentence," his second-in-command said as he pulled up next to Hotaru.
"It is to all the heartbroken girls at the clan!" shouted one of his men.
"At least they have their bastard children to remind them of you," said another.
The others joined in their playful teasing of him and Hotaru forced a smile. If only he were in search of just a wife. It would have been much simpler, and he wouldn't have left their territory. There were plenty of eligible women who would have been more than happy to be his bride. They all knew; they wouldn't have followed him this far if they hadn't. His men were worried, just as he was. This alliance was critical. He couldn't let his fear show. He wanted them to continue to smile.
"I can't waste all my charm on you lot," Hotaru called to his men.
They roared with approval.
The cheers soon died away as the forest came into view. It was as if the air had been sucked out of them. The trees were dense, and growing so close together the trunks were tangled around one another. Their skeletal branches were like clawed hands reaching toward them. Thick, white fog twisted around the bases of barren trees, seeping through the gnarled trunks. Everyone knew these sorts of wild places were the domain of the yokai. Before he had thought those stories were all just peasant's superstition. But he knew better now, and he had learned to show proper respect. If there were any other way around, he would have taken it. But their destination was at the center of this forest.
Their group slowed to a crawl as they delayed the inevitable. Hotaru turned in his saddle to face his men. They all shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
"Keep your eyes open, weapons at hand, and stay on the path," he said.
The road was wide enough for them to travel in twos, and so they lined up as they entered. Hotaru and his second took the lead. The horses nickered with anxiety. Hotaru's had his ears flattened against his skull. They could sense as he could, the otherness of this place. Hotaru surveyed the road ahead, which ended in a thick wall of mist. Everywhere they looked there were long shadows. It was bitingly cold; the spring thaw had only just begun and the road was mired in mud.
Then to his left the bushes rustled, followed by the hasty jostling of men drawing their weapons. Hotaru held up his hand. A fat tanuki waddled out from within the bushes. The raccoon dog turned its masked face toward them. There was an almost human intelligence in its eyes. Of course the creatures were known troublemakers, but legends said they could take the form of humans and delighted in deceiving humans. Hotaru shook his head, this could only be a regular forest creature.
After their brief staring contest, the tanuki disappeared into the forest on the other side of the road and he gave the signal for his men to move on.
It was not long before another tanuki appeared in the pathway.
"This forest is full of tanuki," Hotaru commented as the second one stared at him with clever eyes. This one held his gaze even longer than the first.
The men eyed the surrounding forest, as if they expected a horde of the raccoon dogs to burst out of the shadows and tear the meat from their bones. Hotaru laughed away their fears, more to keep them moving forward than anything. There was a tingling sensation at the back of his mind that told him to keep a look out.
Further down the road, a third tanuki stepped in front of them.
One of his soldiers, fueled by fear and recklessness, shot an arrow at it. Instead of striking it as it should, the tanuki leaped out of the way at just the right moment. And for a split second, Hotaru thought he had seen a straw hat on the creature’s head. Before he had time to even process that thought, a woman leaped out of the nearby bushes.
"You're not going to get away from me!" She shouted as she ran past. It seemed she did not notice them at all. And perhaps that was for the best, she looked like a wild creature herself. Her long ebony hair had at one point been tied in a braid, but had mostly come undone, and her feet were bare and caked in mud. Her kimono was splattered and torn and hiked up over her knees.
Hotaru stared after her, mouth slack long after she had disappeared into the forest chasing the tanuki. Perhaps it was a mistake coming here. I heard these people were strange... He didn't have a choice. Perhaps the clan leaders were more civilized.
"Let's move out. And do not fire unless I give the order." He looked at the man who had.
The soldier bowed his head in penance. After that there were no more strange encounters and they arrived at the hidden palace. It emerged from the forest and fog like something out of a fairy tale. Large trees flanked it on all sides, and the green tops of the buildings peaked out from behind a wall made of spikes of wood. In the fog it was easy to miss if you did not know what you were looking for.
Hotaru gave the signal for his men to stand down and approached the gate.
"I am Lord Kaedemori, come to see the lord of the clan," he called up.
A guard's head peeked out from over the top of the wall.
"Stand back, the gates are opening."
Hotaru backed away as the massive gate was rolled open and he and his men marched inside. They had announced their visit in advance, and as expected they were greeted by the elders of the clan. At the forefront, a frail man who was swimming in his finely embroidered haori greeted them. He must be the lord's son. Just behind him was a beautiful woman in a bright kimono embroidered with flowers. She could be none other than the lord's daughter and the woman he'd come to marry. Hotaru looked around, expecting the lord of the clan to greet them. But seeing as he wasn't there, Hotaru could only take it as an insult. Negotiations were not going to go as smoothly as he hoped.
He dismounted with a flourish, making sure to give his most charming smile to the onlookers. The lord's daughter hid her smile behind her sleeve. Wooing the lady would be no trouble at all. It was the leader whose respect he'd have to earn.
Hotaru bowed to his hosts. "Thank you for welcoming me here, cousin. I have brought gifts for your father, Lord Fujimori." He gestured to the trunks of treasures and gifts they had brought. The soldiers unloaded them, placing them in front of the young lord while Hotaru smiled up at them.
The young man's skin was nearly translucent, stretched over his jutting cheekbones and dark circles ringed his eyes. He turned his head to cough.
"It is good to meet you, cousin. But I fear my father is no longer with us."
Hotaru had to keep the surprise from his face. He had not heard that Lord Fujimori had died. It was a small mistake, one that he could quickly rectify.
"I am sorry to hear that. I share your pain; my own father has recently left this world. It is good that we are meeting now, at the beginnings of our individual rule." He addressed the young Lord Fujimori, but it was the young woman who caught his eye. Lady Yuki was just as beautiful as he had been told.
That wasn't always the case for these kinds of rumors. Often times a woman's beauty would be exaggerated as to not scare away potential suitors. Not that it mattered much in this instance. This marriage was a strategic one. He was just fortunate she was so attractive. "It is lovely to meet you and your lovely sister," Hotaru said, bowing his head at the young woman.
"This is not my sister. Yuki should have been here to greet you as well but she is..." He paused to cough violently once more.
"My lord you should rest." The beautiful woman put her hand at his elbow as his body was wracked with coughs. She must be the new Lady Fujimori then. Pity. Though he supposed he couldn't be too disappointed. If the real Yuki were half as beautiful as this woman, he'd have no qualms.
Hotaru bowed. "I look forward to meeting her."
Lord Fujimori frowned, not bothering to disguise his displeasure. He'd only just arrived and he was stepping on toes. But even if th
is man was a recent lord, he knew the dance. What other reason would an unmarried lord come than to make a marital alliance? Especially in times of war.
"You and your men must be tired—" Lord Fujimori said.
Someone shouted behind him, and Hotaru turned just as a woman collided with him, knocking him onto the ground. Hotaru looked up at the woman who straddled him. Her hair was frizzy and there was dirt smeared on her cheek. Despite her filthy appearance, she was rather pretty, with large eyes and a rosebud mouth.
She leaped off him without so much as a 'sorry' and hurried up the steps toward the young lord. No one moved to stop her. It was the same wild woman he'd seen in the forest. She bowed low to Lord Fujimori, her braid falling over her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, brother. I'll get washed up before our guests arrive."
Lord Fujimori sighed, before gesturing toward Hotaru. "Lord Kaedemori, I'd like to introduce you to my sister, Yuki."
The story continues get your copy of Yuki: A Snow White Retelling today.
Also By Nicolette Andrews
World of Akatsuki
Tales of Akatsuki
Kitsune: A Little Mermaid Retelling
Yuki: A Snow White Retelling
The Dragon Saga:
The Priestess and the Dragon
The Sea Stone
The Song of the Wind
Diviner’s World
Duchess
Sorcerer (newsletter exclusive)
Diviner’s Prophecy
Diviner’s Curse
Diviner’s Fate
Princess
Thornwood Series
Fairy Ring
Heart of Thorns
About the Author
Nicolette is a native San Diegan with a passion for the world of make believe. From a young age, Nicolette was telling stories whether it be writing plays for her friends to act out or making a series of children's books that her mother still likes drag out to embarrass her with in front of company. She still lives in her imagination but in reality she resides in San Diego with her husband, children and a couple cats. She loves reading, attempting arts and crafts, and cooking.
Kitsune: A Little Mermaid Retelling Page 24