“Temple Suwa,” I repeated. The name meant nothing to me.
“It is a monastery in a valley to the south, as beautiful as it is remote,” Esumi explained. “Where nobles send their sons to learn discipline and martial skills.”
“And to get them out of their homes,” Haru chided.
Esumi shrugged. “That, too.”
“I had hoped,” Haru said, “to find some pretext, perhaps claiming I wish to purchase you as a personal attendant for my journey. The mistress might accept that if the price is rightand the story is convincing enough.” He met my eyes. “I cannot promise success, but I will try.”
“Why?” The question escaped before I could stop it. “Why would you do this for me?”
“You must ask that? After . . .” Haru smiled sadly. “Because I told you once not to wait for permission to love, and then the world stole your chance before you could act on that advice. I cannot undo what was done to you, but perhaps I can give you another chance, another opportunity to find what you lost.”
“Thank you,” I said, because I did not know what else to say.
“For tonight,” Haru said, “you need only rest. We will remain here until morning to maintain the illusion, but nothing will happen. You are safe with us, Kaneko. Always.”
Esumi rose, moved to the door, and locked it, then began extinguishing some of the lanterns, dimming the room to something more comfortable for sleep. Haru arranged the cushions on the bed.
“Come,” Esumi said gently. “Lie with us. Not for . . . not for what you were sold for, but to feel the warmth of those who care for you, who will protect you. You need not be alone this night.”
That offer broke something inside me, some last piece of armor I hadn’t realized I’d been holding on to. I nodded, not trusting my voice, and Esumi helped me stand and guided me to the center of the bed. I lay down hesitantly, still wearing the sheerkimono, still uncertain despite their assurances.
Haru moved closer, positioning himself so I could rest against him, then he guided my head onto his chest. His arm came around me, solid and safe.
“Is this all right?” he asked quietly.
A prince seeking permission? Where had reality gone?
“Yes,” I whispered, afraid words any louder might shatter the illusion.
I felt Esumi lay on my other side. I was cradled between them, between the Prince and his warrior lover who only wanted me to feel safe in their embrace.
“Sleep,” Haru murmured. “None will touch you. I swear it.”
I felt the steady rise and fall of Haru’s breathing, felt Esumi’s body firm against my back. They asked nothing of me but to rest, offered protection without price, treated me like a person rather than property. For the first time since being stolen from Tooi, I felt safe.
My eyes grew heavy. My body, exhausted from terror and tears, began to surrender.
In Haru’s arms, with Esumi at my back, I finally let go.
Chapter 24
Yoshi
Son of the Goddess?
The words repeated in my mind like a chant, like a prayer I didn’t know how to finish.
Son of the Goddess.
I lay on my mat. The presence that had filled my chamber—that voice, that power, that overwhelming sense of beingseen—was gone now. It had vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. Leaving only questions. So many questions.
“You must awaken,”she had said.
What did that mean? Awaken what?Towhat? How?
I turned onto my side, wincing as my abused ribs protested. Every part of my body ached from the day’s training, from so many months of training that had pushed me beyond what I thought I could endure.
