And do what?I retorted.Didn’t you see how he hacked at the wall?
Mrs. Dainan tried to cheat him because he’s rich. I would be upset too. Quick, he’s coming inside.
The door swung open, making the soup on my tray shudder. Unable to contain my curiosity, I crept outside the kitchen to see what was happening.
Into the inn the young lord strutted, kicking dirt from his boots as the guests hastily fell to their knees. His eyes were a dark, slippery lacquer, and thick muscles corded his neck as he surveyed the inn. Then, with a grunt, he swept to the other side of the crowd.
He’s looking for someone,I realized.
Maybe a bandit?Kiki suggested.Or a runaway servant?
I didn’t reply. This man was no ordinary sentinel. He was ahighsentinel, likely the son of one of Father’s warlords. Was he here for my brothers and me?
With a sharp breath, I plucked Kiki off my shoulder and hid her in my sleeve. I started to retreat back into the kitchen, but the lord heardme.
He whirled, pressing his blade’s edge against my neck. “Show your respect. I will not ask again.”
I’d never knelt to anyone except Father. Working in the inn had worn down my pride, but whatever shred I had left refused to let me stoop to this cruel stranger. I looked up at him defiantly, and a flicker of anger passed over the young lord’s face.
“Take that bowl off your head.”
Without warning, the flat of his sword smacked my head, and I stumbled, dropping my tray. Soup spilled, hot splashes licking my ankles. I bit my lip until the heat passed, but I didn’t move to clean the mess.
When I clambered back to my feet, the young lord raised his sword again. Consternation—and the slightest glimmer of fear—lingered in his narrowed eyes. He’d been expecting the bowl on my head to break.
“What manner of demon are you?” he demanded.
“Her name is Lina,” rang a familiar voice from behind me, “and she’s not a demon.”
It was the sentinel who had arrived yesterday. He fixed his gaze firmly on the newcomer. “Have you come all this way to find me, Cousin, or are you here to bully innocent villagers?”
Cousin? I did see a resemblance, now that I knew to look. The two men were of similar height and build, sharing the same proud shoulders and unwavering eyes. But they might as well have been spring and winter, so different were their demeanors.
“It is a sentinel’s duty to protect Kiata from demons,” the lord bristled. “I know a demon when I see one. Dark energy surrounds her.”
“Enough of this superstitious nonsense. There are no demons in Kiata. You are a high sentinel, not a high priest. Put away the sword, Takkan.”
Takkan?
Startled, I scrutinized the lord as he sheathed his sword. Emblazoned on his scabbard was a rabbit on a mountain, surrounded by five plum blossoms—and a white full moon.
My stomach somersaulted. Even though I had never paid attention to my heraldry lessons, I knewthatone. It was the Bushian family crest.
And Takkan…Takkan was a name I’d spent years avoiding. The name of the boy I was supposed to marry.
The world rattled into focus. Thiswasmy chance. All I had to do was show him I was Princess Shiori, the emperor’s daughter. Within days, I’d be back in the palace.
But my wits held me still.
I’d met Takkan once. Just once, when we were children. I didn’t remember anything about him—what he looked like or sounded like—but everyone always assured me that Lord Bushian’s heir was earnest and kind.
Lies. The Takkan I saw before me now did not look kind. His black eyes were hard and cold, and there was something threatening about the way he moved, like a hound on the hunt.
“Not a demon, you say?” said Takkan with a sneer. “Demon worshipper, then. Even worse.” He stalked across the room, addressing the villagers. “You’ve all heard of those so-called priestesses of the Holy Mountains. Keeping their dark magic secret from even the gods. This little mite looks like she could be one of them. What dark spirits could she be hiding under that bowl?”
“That’s enough,” said the other sentinel, irritation edging his voice. “That’s just a tale, and she’s just a girl. She meant no harm.”
“Just a tale?” Takkan repeated. “Funny ofyouto say so, Cousin.”
