The Dragon Saga Box Set

by Nicolette Andrews

  Whatever his motives, she'd have to leave the main palace to reach the prison where Hikaru was being kept. She strode confidently up to the gates which were guarded by a pair of soldiers. They stood with their backs against the arches, staring outward. As Suzume attempted to walk through however, they jutted out their spears, stopping her in her tracks.

  "Let me through. I have business outside the main palace."

  "It is the emperor's orders, princess. You are not to leave the main palace building."

  Suzume frowned at them and considered arguing even though she knew it was pointless. "I will have to speak to the emperor then." She turned in a faux huff, pretending to be storming off to speak with the emperor. But she knew her boundaries now, and her suspicion was confirmed. Her friends were outside the palace walls.

  When she was out of sight of the guards, she looped back toward one of the gardens that dominated the western side of the main palace. She'd played here often as a child, and she remembered a tree her oldest brother had pointed out to her when she was small. He claimed its branches could be climbed to escape the main palace. Her eldest brother, the heir to the throne, had never seen the outside of the main palace, she was sure of it. But he had liked to brag about adventures he'd had outside its walls just the same.

  With winter looming over the fringes of fall, the garden was deserted. Getting to the garden was harder than she thought it would be. The heavy layers of her kimono pressed on her chest, making breathing difficult and almost as soon as she arrived, she had to sit down. Sweat beaded her brow. The kimono was not meant for moving around. As a princess she'd spent most of her time reclining, listening to poetry, and gossiping.

  There was a stone bench under a cherry tree, which had lost almost all of its leaves. A few last remnants still clung desperately to its branches. A cold wind blew through the garden.

  "My lady, it's very cold. Perhaps we should return inside," the servant said.

  Suzume resisted the urge to wrap her arms around her shoulders. "I think it's refreshing," she said as her breath came out in clouds of vapor.

  The wind’s icy fingers pierced through the multiple layers of her kimono. "But an overcoat would be welcome," Suzume amended—she needed to shake the maid anyway.

  The servant bowed and scurried away. Suzume watched her go and once she was certain she was gone she got up to search the garden. If she remembered correctly, the tree shouldn't be far from here. Finding it took longer than she thought it would, but after several panicked minutes of searching she stumbled on the tree almost by accident. It was not as tall as she remembered and the branches seemed hardly strong enough to hold her weight.

  Suzume glanced around to make sure the maid wasn't back yet. Once she confirmed the coast was clear, she reached for the lowest branch. Pulling herself onto it was more difficult than she anticipated and the long billowing sleeves of her kimono kept getting in her way. The multiple layers also made maneuvers difficult. She had just gotten onto the bottom branch when she felt the outer most layer rip.

  Suzume sighed and tore off several of the layers, leaving them in a pile on the ground until she was only in her hakama and one single inner layer. The cold made her teeth chatter, but climbing the tree was much easier this way. The highest branch extended almost all the way to wall except for a small gap between. She stared at that gap for a moment, convincing herself that she was making the right decision and not preparing to fall and break her neck. She took the leap and made it onto the wall. Once on the wall, there was nothing beyond but a large fall. She eased herself over the side, and before she lost her nerve, she dropped down onto the ground below.

  She landed hard on her ankle and felt the pain ripple through her leg. For a moment she feared she had broken it. A quick test showed that she could put some weight on it, but not much. She half hobbled across the palace grounds, keeping a watchful eye out for guards. The maid would likely be returning to find her discarded clothes at any moment.

  Her progress was slow, hindered by her injury and by the need for stealth. She hadn't made it far beyond the main palace building when she heard voices coming from the opposite direction. The only thing to hide behind was a pagoda that overlooked a small pond. Suzume dove behind it and prayed whoever was coming from the other direction did not see her.

  "To think he would turn against the emperor," said a man in a rumbling voice.

  Suzume's ears pricked up. That voice sounded familiar. She chanced a peek around the corner of the building she was hiding behind. Three men stood beside the gloomy pool. Two of the men she recognized as counselors to the emperor. Her mother had often entertained the two of them. The third man was younger, and a head taller than both of them. His back was to her.

  The first counselor said, "Now that house of Kaedemori has fallen, we may all tumble along with it."

  That was her mother's family. They were one of the most powerful in the kingdom, second only to the royal family. They could trace their roots back to the birth of the kingdom. Several generations of women in her family had married past emperors and there had even been a few empresses. Had their star really fallen as Daiki had said? She'd assumed it had been vicious lies.

  "Are you so entwined with your master you cannot save yourself from his sinking ship?" said the faceless speaker, though his voice did sound familiar as well.

  The men both blustered.

  "We've done nothing wrong!" the second counselor said.

  "And I make no accusations," the younger man replied.

  "You will protect us, won't you, Ryuu?" asked the second counselor. Suzume cringed, remembered what a wheedling worm he was. I'm not surprised. As soon as his protectors are gone he goes looking for someone new.

  "Perhaps, if you can tell me where Izume is."

  "No one knows where she fled to."

  Suzume had to clamp a hand over her mouth to stifle her gasp. She thought her mother had been exiled by the emperor but these men made it sound as if she had run away.

  "Then I have no need of you," Ryuu said coldly and it sounded like his footsteps were heading in her direction. Suzume's heart leaped into her throat. She could run but if she did she would be spotted for sure.

  "Wait!" the counselor shouted and the footsteps halted.

  "There are rumors that she went back to the Kaedemori's clan house. Perhaps she is there."

  "Did you know her at all?" Ryuu said scorn in his tone.

  He spoke as if he knew her mother, though Suzume was certain she'd never seen that man before in her life. As she was considering the implications she did not notice the footsteps that were approaching her until it was too late.

  Suzume pressed herself flat against the back of the building, hoping that he would pass by without seeing her.

  "She has written to me," said the first counselor. Ryuu stopped right beside her. Suzume fought the urge to look at him, fearing even turning her head would catch his attention.

  "What did her letter say?" Ryuu asked.

  "She asked for word on the emperor's army. She wanted to know where they were headed."

  "You're both wasting my time, be gone with the both of you." Ryuu turned his back to her, presumably to watch the counselors go. Suzume waited a heartbeat and then started to inch away, hoping he would miss seeing her hiding in her underclothes behind the building.

  "Were you spying on me?" Ryuu asked without turning to face her.

  14

  She had two options—admit she'd been listening to his conversation or run. She chose the latter. Suzume bolted behind the building, where a narrow stretch of land separated the structure from the pool. She ran along that edge, hoping he would not pursue her. But she was wrong. He caught up with her in a few strides, grabbing her by the forearm and yanking her backward and into the pagoda.

  She spun around to face him. She was no expert at hand to hand combat but maybe if she assumed the pose she could trick him into thinking she was.

  "Why were you spying on me?" he aske
d at the same time Suzume said, "What do you want with my mother?" Their voices overlapped.

  Suzume glared at him while Ryuu assessed her.

  "Do you know where Izume is?" he asked after a few minutes of silent posturing.

  "What is your relationship with my mother?"

  "I think that's between Izume and me."

  With arms crossed over her chest, she narrowed her eyes at him. It couldn't be mere coincidence that she'd met him at the inn, and now he was at the White Palace working for the emperor of all people. He had to be Hisato in disguise.

  "I know it's you, Hisato. I'm not going to fall for your disguise this time."

  His brows furrowed. "Is this your way of distracting me?"

  She knew all his tricks and she wasn't going to fall for it this time. She threw her head back in mock laughter. "Let’s not play this game. What is your plan for the White Palace?"

  "I think you have the wrong idea about me."

  Suzume scoffed and placed her hands on her hips. "Do you think I'm going to fall for that?"

  "I have no idea what you're talking about, honestly."

  But now was her chance. If only she had her staff. If she could stop him now before the war started, then all of this would be over and she could go back to her old life. But what if she tried using her power and lost control again? Though she was hesitant to use her power, this was her chance to end things for good. A ball of flame formed in her hand, coming easier than ever before.

  "Pretend all you want, but I'm ending this here." She lunged for him, arching her arm backward, determined to drive the ball of flame straight into him.

  As she thrust forward for her attack however, he stepped out of the way. Her flame only caught the edge of the sleeve. Fueled by her spiritual energy, the fire burned fast and hot, traveling up his sleeve. Suzume braced herself for the recoil of pain in her own body, but felt none. She watched in horror as he stamped out the flames with his bare hand, a faint glimmering barrier surrounding his hand as he did so.

  She held up her hands as if that would do anything to protect her. "How did you do that? You couldn't do that before."

  He came toward her, hand raised as if he would strike her, and Suzume backed away. But getting to the exit meant going through him. Her back collided with the wall and he struck her hard in her right shoulder. Her arm fell limp to her side, the flames on it flickering and dying.

  "I'm not Hisato."

  She bared her teeth in a show of defiance. "Sure you're not." With her left hand she ignited enough fire to cover her hands. She reached up and slapped him across the face. She closed her eyes and waited for the pain to be reflected in her body. But once more she felt nothing.

  Suzume waited a few moments before peeking out from beneath her eyelids to see a bright red mark on his face. He had not blocked her attack but she still had not felt it. As realization dawned upon her, Suzume felt a hot blush burning her cheeks.

  He leaned forward so he was close to her but not touching. "Are you trying to make me angry?" he breathed.

  His spiritual power uncoiled from him, revealing the depth of his power and strength which until now he'd kept hidden. This wasn't Hisato, but he was someone perhaps equally as powerful. Not one to be trapped, she used the emergency move Tsuki had taught her. She brought her knee up toward his groin, but he anticipated her move and leaped out of the way before she could land the blow.

  They stood facing one another, Suzume’s right arm dangling and the man's face already healing itself of the fiery slap.

  "Did Izume send you here to torment me or are you just particularly frustrating," he asked between gritted teeth.

  "I don't know where my mother is."

  He shook his head. "I should have known."

  "What do you want with her?"

  "It's time we take you back to the palace." He grabbed her by the wrist but she yanked her hand away.

  "Maybe I should just ask the emperor myself. Perhaps he knows." She stared up at him defiantly.

  "Who do you think he's going to trust, me or the daughter of the woman who betrayed him?"

  "You're just like the rest. None of you know her." She wasn't sure why she felt the need to defend her mother to this practical stranger. Gods knew she'd blamed her mother for everything that had happened to her thus far. But there was something about him that made her want to prove her mother's innocence.

  "I think you're the one who doesn't know Izume."

  Once more his words had cut her to the quick. It was as if he knew exactly what to say to wound her.

  "Wait until I tell the emperor how you've treated me." She felt like she needed to make that point clear. Not that she was certain the emperor would even care. For all she knew this man had been placed here to catch her.

  "What would he think if he found you like this?"

  "I'm free to go where I like."

  "In your undergarments?" Suzume looked down at the thin layer of inner kimono. She had completely forgotten she'd taken off her outer layers to climb the tree. Her plans to free her friends were all evaporating like smoke.

  He grabbed her wrist and dragged her behind him, as she made threats she could not follow up on. At the main gate they were greeted by two very surprised guards, who were smart enough to keep their eyes averted. As he dragged her along, her maid came running toward them carrying the layers of Suzume's discarded kimono.

  "My lady," she gasped, seeing Suzume flushed in the face, hair disheveled and being dragged by Ryuu.

  Ryuu shoved her toward the maid. "Make sure she gets into some warm clothes before she freezes."

  He turned and walked away without another word. The maid threw a kimono around Suzume. It was enough to keep her from being indecent. But if anyone saw her with so little on in the palace they would think her lowly. She needed to get back to her rooms right away. But she was more worried about Ryuu and what he was plotting. It didn't matter if there was a chill in the air, the fire in her gut was burning too hot for her to really feel the cold.

  Suzume scowled after him as she shouted, "This isn't the end of this."

  He didn't deem it necessary to respond.

  They hurried down the hallway, trying to get back to Suzume's room before she was seen. While Suzume's mind was focused on revenge, she wasn't really paying attention to where she was going.

  "My lady!" the servant gasped. A crowd of people approached from the other end of the hall. At the forefront was a woman dripping in gold and crimson, her long ebony hair dragging along almost to the floor. The empress, as always, paraded around the palace like a proud peacock.

  There was nowhere to go. Suzume stood bedraggled in the middle of the walkway.

  "My lady, you must bow," the servant whispered.

  Suzume bowed mechanically as she moved out of the way of the empress. She dipped her head and moved aside, allowing the women of higher rank to pass her by. She hoped the empress would glide on past her as if she did not exist at all. But luck was not on her side today, and as she was about to pass her one of her ladies leaned in to whisper in her ear. The empress stopped, and turned to face Suzume.

  "You're Izume's oldest daughter?" she said, as if she didn't know Izume only had one daughter.

  "Yes, your majesty," Suzume said in her most groveling tone. The empress’s temper was legendary, as was her feud with Suzume's mother, Izume.

  "I thought you were training as a priestess." She looked over Suzume, eyes narrowed as she assessed and judged every inch of Suzume's body. Her maid had only managed to get one layer on her, enough so she wasn't indecent. But even if she hadn't been under-dressed, Suzume felt her imperfections keenly. She'd gotten tanner and her hair was not as long as it had been. Her hands were calloused and chapped. She folded them close to her body to hide them.

  The one thing she had left to her was her words. "The emperor summoned me."

  "Then I suppose my husband has forgiven your mother after all," she said, not bothering to hide the scorn in her vo
ice.

  "He hasn't, majesty," Suzume countered, boldly raising her gaze to meet the empress’s.

  The empress narrowed her eyes. "Then what are you doing here, in the main palace no less?"

  "Perhaps that is something you should ask the emperor."

  The empress reeled back, and her ladies behind her whispered to one another.

  "Ask me what, wife?" The emperor approached, having come from the other end of the hall. Behind him were two rows of counselors and servants. Suzume lowered her gaze, knowing that with so many people around it would be inappropriate to look at his face.

  "I was just welcoming Izume's daughter back to the palace."

  "We are very lucky to have her. She will be staying at the main palace for the time being. I hope you will make her feel welcome," the emperor said to the empress.

  She nodded her head. "As you wish, your majesty."

  "Suzume, Ryuu has agreed to train you at the palace temple. Starting tomorrow."

  Suzume's visceral reaction was to protest, but she choked on the words and instead fell into a coughing fit.

  The empress scrunched her nose at her in disgust, while the emperor knelt down.

  "Are you unwell? Should I call for a healer?" He placed his hand on her shoulder in a tender and fatherly way. Suzume blinked at him as she caught her breath.

  "I'm fine. It's nothing serious."

  The emperor stood up again, and the empress was practically red in the face with anger. Suzume had to bite down her amusement at the sight.

  "Ah, Suzume, I almost forgot. You will be needing this." The emperor handed her a seal. Suzume took it in her cupped hands. "That gives you unfettered access to me and everywhere in the palace."

  Suzume bowed her head low. "You are too kind, your majesty."

  The emperor chuckled. "Don't thank me, you've earned it. I am very proud of you."