‘You should have been carried here,’ he whispered.
She shook her head. She looked over the men before her and wondered if everyone else had really disappeared from the island. Would they ever return?
They moved between the rows of soldiers and up the steps to the waiting emperor, Wei-Song and Yang behind them. The emperor looked uncertainly at Wei-Song for a moment and then cleared his throat.
Lis bowed low to the emperor and empress, then turned back to face the rows of soldiers and bowed low towards them. The world was still and quiet. Remi bowed to the soldiers and then to his parents. They repeated the ritual, and then he came to stand beside her and took her hand.
The emperor stepped forward. ‘I present to you my daughter, the crown princess, Lisabet of Rei-Een.’
Lis bowed again to the soldiers as they cheered. She looked back at Remi then, and he beamed.
‘Now we shall send you to visit the Empire.’
Lis only then realised that not all of the men lined up were soldiers. At the front of the group were most of the ministers. Advisor Gan, grumbling, was also present, standing a little to the side.
‘Prepare the fleet,’ the little man bellowed, and Lis looked back to Remi. What might this man try to do once they were away from the emperor? But then, she would have the hunter and soldiers with her.
‘Come,’ the empress said, directing them inside the throne room while the men started to move away from the steps.
‘That didn’t seem too bad,’ Remi said. And she realised that she still held his hand very tightly.
‘When will we sail?’ Lis asked.
‘In the morning,’ the empress said, leading them through the secret door behind the throne.
‘The emperor had said we were to leave before dark,’ Lis said, following the empress through the silent narrow walkway. ‘Where are we going?’
‘There is something you must do before you go.’
Remi pulled Lis to a stop. ‘Mother,’ he chastised. ‘This is hardly the time.’
‘There are some traditions that must be followed,’ the empress said, opening a door in the wall.
A long room stretched out before them, and Lis was momentarily reminded of the room she had been assessed in during the Choosing. The walls were covered with screens, and a large bed sat in the middle of the room. Lis froze in the doorway. She could sense others in the room, behind the screens.
‘No.’ Lis said simply, refusing to enter the room. ‘We have broken enough tradition. What is one more?’
The Imperial Healer stepped out from behind a screen, and Lis wondered how anyone could watch such an event.
‘Sit down, Your Highness.’
She reluctantly followed the man to the bed, and as she sat down, he knelt at her feet.
‘I have heard that you share covers with the prince already.’
She nodded once.
‘Provide your wrist,’ he said, and she looked back at Remi as she held out her arm.
He carefully placed his fingers to the skin and closed his eyes.
‘What have you been doing?’ the empress whispered angrily.
Remi only looked at Lis, and the heat of his gaze covered her skin. She wasn’t quite sure what they wanted from her, but she was sure this was not something she wanted them involved with.
‘She is not with child yet. We shall stay,’ the Imperial Healer announced.
A level of excitement rose from behind the screens, and she was sure she would be sick.
‘Not today,’ Remi said.
‘This is not for negotiation,’ the empress responded, moving towards a screen.
‘Then all you do is delay our departure,’ Remi said, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Lis glanced at him, but he stared straight ahead, his hands clasped in his lap. She tried to keep her back straight, but the uneasiness in the room made her shiver.
After too long sitting in silence, the empress sighed.
‘The crown princess is not with child,’ the Imperial Healer announced. ‘We might assume any child she does bear to be his…’ His confident voice petered out, and he sighed.
With a disappointed murmur, several other healers appeared from behind the screens and filed from the room. Lis breathed a sigh of relief. The empress gave Remi a scowl and then followed after them, locking the door behind her.
Lis leapt up at the sound of the bolt. ‘They can’t leave us here. There is much to do.’
Remi clenched his hands together, a nervousness she hadn’t noticed until then radiating from him.
‘What is it?’ she asked.
‘You told them we have lain together already,’ he said, looking awkward.
‘No, I said…’ She stopped. ‘Oh.’
‘Oh indeed.’ His nervousness shifted, and he grinned at her.
‘We need to be planning,’ she whispered. ‘What are we to do once we reach Second? Are we only to parade through the streets? Can we talk to the people? Are we to stay for days?’
He reached out and took her hand. She flinched, unsure why, and took a step back. He stood and stepped with her. He pulled her back towards the bed, sitting quickly, and she sat heavily beside him. He appeared to be blushing just as much as she was.
‘I can understand this is difficult,’ he said. ‘That you are not ready. But she is not going to let us out anytime soon.’
‘But we did this so we could have a reason to get to the other islands. We need to consider what we will do. Or are we to land on each dock and try to recreate the phoenix?’
He shook his head.
‘It is not that I don’t want to be your wife,’ she whispered. ‘I chose to be here,’ she added, looking around the room, thankful that her abilities allowed her to sense anyone who might have tried to continue hiding, or his mother standing by the door. She sighed. ‘This isn’t quite what I imagined,’ she said.
‘What did you imagine?’ he asked kindly.
‘Somewhere quiet and alone and comfortable, like we are of a night. There is a lot of pressure here.’
‘It is quiet, and there is no one around now.’
‘But everyone knows what we are doing.’
‘Our lives are never going to be our own again. Yours hasn’t been since you arrived here.’
She nodded. ‘What if I’m not enough? What if I can’t make you happy? Or can’t give you the sons that you need?’
‘Is that your concern? That you won’t be what I need you to be?’
She nodded once, and he surprised her by taking her face in his hands.
‘You are already far more than I ever hoped for. You keep me grounded.’
He pressed his lips to hers, and she allowed him to lay her back across the bed.
The next morning, they boarded the largest ship of the Empire, both dressed in navy blue with silver trim. It had appeared she had come full circle when they dressed, for they were in the same colours the royals had worn the day she had been chosen as the hidden princess. She longed for her hair to be free, but it was neatly pulled back with pins gifted to her by the empress. Elaborate and expensive, all with blossoms. A small silver crown was nestled into her own hair amidst the pins, and despite Wei-Song’s assurances, she wasn’t sure they would be able to recreate the look. She watched Remi’s back, his hair smoothed into a bun beneath his own silver crown.
She remembered Remi from the afternoon before, his hair loose and free around his face, and she smiled. She wondered if they would have the chance to be so relaxed with each other again. Despite her happiness to see their friends again, she knew they would always be surrounded by people. She was grateful in some small way that the empress had provided them the time together, and she was even more grateful that the healer had been confused and not watched over them to ensure the act occurred.
‘Lis,’ Yang called, coming to stand beside her, and she blinked herself back to the reality from her dream of the day before. ‘I apologise, Your Highness, for my informality.’
>
‘Don’t you dare,’ she whispered loudly. She noticed Remi turned just slightly, to listen more closely to what was said. ‘You have always called me Lis. If you change now, I might have to create a title for you.’
He grinned and bowed a little. ‘What plan do you have to win the hearts of the people?’
‘I’m not sure it is a plan. Maybe trying to show that things are as they should be.’
He raised his eyebrows.
‘Provide some normalcy,’ she said.
‘Where does the magic come into it?’ he asked.
‘Let’s just see what kind of reception we receive. The Palace Isle has been so quiet; I can only hope there are more people on the other islands of the Empire.’ Remi said, turning to join the conversation.
Advisor Gan made himself comfortable at the front of the boat. Lis was sure he wasn’t the best person to have on this trip. He wanted both of them in cuffs, but perhaps it was a risk the emperor took so he could have some discussion with the ministers away from the little man.
Lis wondered just what the advisor might say when he reached the people. She looked across to find him watching her. Stepping forward, she slipped her arm through Remi’s. It wouldn’t take them very long to reach Second in a ship this size. She tried not to sigh. They could be zigzagging across the Empire for weeks.
Tradition dictated that the islands of the Empire were visited in a particular order for the wedding parade. Second, Third, Fourth and then Fifth; then the Sacred Isle, and then other outliers. That included her own family island. She longed to see her father again. She was worried for Ting and Peng. She was not as keen to visit the Sacred Isle. The priestesses might already be aware of what had happened to their high priestess, and she didn’t know whether they continued to have visions. If the high priestess had been working with the magics, it might well be that they all were and this visit may not be able to sway them as they hoped.
As they neared the main dock of Second, Lis realised there were far more people waiting to look at them than she had expected.
‘In my parents’ time,’ Remi said, ‘They would have sailed past and waved. Are you sure you are ready to face the people?’
She nodded, but her heart thumped in her chest. This wasn’t just about her. The people knew what Remi had become and what he had done in the main square of the Palace Isle, so she feared him in greater danger. Particularly as the ministers were so sure the people wouldn’t support him as their crown prince.
As the boat touched against the dock and the gangplank was pushed out, a cheer went up from the crowd. After a moment too long hesitating, Advisor Gan rushed forward and out before the people. A strange hush moved over the crowd, and Lis could feel the tension.
As he straightened his coat, Remi took Lis by the hand and led her forward.
‘You should wait,’ the general said, standing by the gangplank, his hand on his sword.
Remi shook his head and led Lis down to the people, just as the advisor announced them. Remi squeezed her hand, and they both bowed to the crowd.
There was a moment of stillness, and then the crowd, as one, dropped to their knees before them.
‘We thank you for your kind welcome,’ Lis said, stepping forward.
A murmur spread through the crowd, and a small child broke free, racing towards Lis. She could hear the soldiers running down behind her, but she stepped forward and took the child by the hands. A hush fell on the people, and Lis smiled at the girl.
‘Is it true that you have magic?’ she asked. The awe in her voice made Lis smile, and although Remi stood straight like a rod, she nodded once.
Advisor Gan grumbled loudly, and Lis looked towards him just as the general elbowed him sharply.
Lis held out her hand, and a small stalk grew up from her palm. A bud formed on the end, and a little leaf sprouted from the side. Then a bright yellow flower bloomed. The child squealed with delight and clapped her hands.
‘It is yours,’ Lis said with a nod. The girl reached forward carefully and closed her hand around the stalk. She then turned back to the people and held it up.
They stood in silence and then, without warning, the girl took Lis by the hand and dragged her closer to the crowd. She glanced back at Remi, who looked a little uncertain, but he stayed where he was. The general followed her without hesitation.
Lis gave him a shake of her head, and he stopped. She was sure Wei-Song called out cake from the ship, but she did nothing other than let the child guide her. She looked down to see the girl still held the flower tight in her hand.
‘This is my mother,’ she said.
Lis bowed to the woman before her, who appeared confused as she looked between her child, the flower and Lis, then back again.
‘This is the princess,’ the child said, as though her mother didn’t know.
‘The royal family never gets off the boat,’ she stammered.
‘We wanted to meet with people, to see how the Empire is faring after so much turmoil.’
‘You have married earlier than expected,’ a man in the crowd said. ‘Traditions seem to be lost.’
‘The empress would agree with you,’ Lis said, realising that she was surrounded, and she looked back through the crowd for Remi.
‘You are both so young,’ another voice said.
‘Is the prince really returned?’ someone else asked.
Lis nodded, and then he was standing behind her.
‘We wanted you to see that we are united,’ he said, his voice clear and loud, and many people nodded. ‘I was lost for a time, but the crown princess saved me.’
‘She fought against you,’ a male voice called out.
‘And now we fight together.’
‘My grandmother had magic,’ the little girl said, and the crowd dropped to silence again. ‘But we aren’t allowed to talk about it.’
Lis dropped to her knees beside the child. ‘We would like a world where magic can live in harmony with everyone.’
The little girl nodded, and a spark jumped in her hand. The anger in the crowd pushed at Lis, and she pushed the girl behind her. ‘She is not to be feared,’ Lis said.
Her mother burst into tears, and another woman wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
‘I am sure there are others out there with various forms of magic,’ Remi said, and Lis could see the uncertainty in the crowd. ‘We worked together once.’
‘Can we again?’ someone else asked. ‘Is it really possible, or is this a plan to flush out those with magic, to start another war?’
Lis felt the heat before it flashed across Remi’s skin, and she moved the child quickly from between them, although she reached for the flames. Lis put her back to him and reached out for him. As soon as she touched him, she felt the phoenix clear around them, and then she realised the child was still pulled against the front of her.
With panic, she looked down, and the child grinned up at her. She released Remi and the fire dissipated, and she wrapped her arms around the child in front of her. ‘Are you hurt?’ she whispered.
The child shook her head. ‘I like fire,’ she said.
‘Just don’t burn anything down.’ Lis looked back at Remi, smiling down at her, and he nodded once.
She then realised that the people were kneeling before them, giving them a space although the mother of the child in Lis’s arms was inching forward. Lis gave the child a nudge, and she ran to her mother. Lis looked back at the soldiers lined on the dock, also on their knees. The only other one standing was Advisor Gan, and he stood with his mouth agape.
Chapter 18
As they stepped aboard the boat that night, Lis wondered how long it would be before news of their visit reached the other islands. The people had looked with awe at the two of them and listened to what they had to say, but the people of Second were not very forthcoming.
The little girl might have admitted that her grandmother had magic, and she had raised a spark, but no one else was admitting such a thing. Many o
f the families they had seen would have had husbands or siblings who worked on the Palace Isle. They would have heard a lot of what had happened during the fight and were possibly keen to remove the prince from his position.
But they hadn’t shown the fear that Lis had expected, and she could only hope their visits to the other islands would be just as friendly. It would only take an hour or so to reach Third from where they were, yet it was decided they would spend the night on the ship. Someone had suggested their staying on the island, but the general thought they could be better protected on board the ship. The soldiers camped on the dock and, despite her concerns, the people brought them a range of dishes to keep them well fed.
Advisor Gan didn’t touch what was offered by the people. He was sure they weren’t as accepting as the princess thought they were and would try to poison them. He only ate from the supplies on board the ship.
Their planned travel was going to take them away from the Palace Isle for some time, and Lis wondered what might happen while they were away. It could be the perfect opportunity for those waiting to take it.
‘Is it worth us stopping back at the Palace Isle as we sail to Fourth?’ she asked Remi that night. She felt that so far, this journey had been far easier than either of them had thought possible. ‘Might the magics try something with us away from the Palace Isle for so long? Could they see this as a chance to take control? Should we have left the general? And who is watching over the emperor while we are gone?’
He nodded slowly.
‘Remi? Are you listening?’
‘I am. But I’m thinking at the same time. Do we really think this will bring the people to our side?’
‘You are questioning it now. They saw the phoenix,’ she added.
‘They nearly saw a prince lose control.’
‘But you didn’t lose control.’
‘Because you were there. What if something happens—what if you are busy and I can’t keep my frustrations or anger in?’
The Magics of Rei-Een Box Set Page 65