Page 4 of Drawn into Oblivion

“Yes,” Shumei affirmed. Her worry over Mai returned full force.

“You must convince her to face her fear. Otherwise, she cannot hope to be of use when the time comes to enter his domain.” The Divine One never spoke the name of his counterpart.

“I shall do as you say.”

“Tell her I will also visit her soon to give her a gift. Something that will help her.” Shumei nodded, unable to help herself as she worried her lip. “Lastly, tell her of your decision regarding her new position. I shall grant her its attendant powers. They’ll be useful in your restoration.”

“I’ll not delay in anything you wish of me,” she said, now anxious to speak with Mai.

“I will visit again soon,” the Divine One said with a smile in his voice. He cupped her cheeks, and she couldn’t help closing her eyes at his touch. She sighed as he gently brushed his thumbs over her eyelids. Sleep overcame her, and she felt the hardness of the windowpane against her head.

Rough fingers brushed her face. Shumei opened her eyes to see Vallen leaning over her, one knee on the window seat. She smiled sleepily.

“Neteita no?” She spoke the language of magic, Mahou, without meaning to.

Was I sleeping?

Vallen nodded and sat close enough for their thighs to touch. “You must have had a visit just now,” he murmured, voice like fur against her skin. He slipped his arm behind her shoulders.

“Sou—” She softly shook her head. “I did. Was I asleep for long?” She turned and wrapped her arms around him, pulling herself close. His soft, shoulder-length hair tickled her face, and the spicy scent of his freshly washed skin calmed her.

“It’s been only twenty minutes since I left you for my bath. I believe Mai is waiting outside,” he whispered as he held her close.

“You smell good.” She nuzzled his neck. “And you were so impressive this afternoon.”

“We’ll have time later,” he promised. “You shouldn’t leave poor Mai waiting. I think the guards in the hallway make her nervous.”

“What will you do now?”

“I’ll check the progress on the outer wall and the restoration of the surrounding city. I should return by the evening meal.”

“I look forward to it.” She craned her neck up in silent pleading, and her generous lover indulged her with a kiss. She softened, warming under his touch as he stroked her cheek.

When he pulled away, she wasn’t sure if she could stand with any grace—or at all—so she stayed seated and watched him walk away.

“Take care,” she called. He winked at her as he opened the door. Mai stood with her back to the room and whirled around in surprise. She glanced between him and Shumei with hesitancy.

“If I am intruding, I can come again at another time,” Mai offered.

“It’s no intrusion at all. Shumei awaits you,” he said with a disarming grin. He ushered her inside and shut the door.

Mai listened to the high general’s fading steps as he walked down the hallway. Then she turned and bowed deeply. “Good afternoon, Empress.”

“Oh, Mai. Don’t be so formal,” Shumei said, patting the seat next to her at the window. Mai straightened with a tight-lipped smile and hurried over.

“The demonstration this afternoon was rather spectacular. The high general is unmatched with a sword,” Mai said, trying to push past the awkward moment when their eyes had met in the courtyard earlier.

“The commander was holding his own. I personally think they planned for Rosuke to fall down,” Shumei said with a playful smile.

Although Mai wished to share the empress’s smile, her face fell upon hearing Rosuke’s name. Worse, she couldn’t think of something else to say. Perhaps she could ask after Oka?

The awkward silence wasn’t lost on Shumei, whose smile faded the longer it lasted. Mai was grateful when Shumei steered the conversation toward the festival coming at summer’s end, the first one celebrated by the Dark Court in over three hundred years.

While some felt that preparing for war with the Damned One should be the court’s sole focus, others were grateful to have something positive to look forward to. The festival would also mark the end of the repairs to the wall and the city. The sections of the city that the fires had completely destroyed would be left undeveloped, but the parts being renovated would be enough to house those families and individuals who would not live in the palace complex.

“Of the thirteen major houses, Spring has the most at five. I imagine coordinating with the other house elders about Spring’s role in the festival is tricky,” Shumei said.

“It’s sometimes difficult to get everyone’s agreement. I try to help settle disputes, but I wish someone had more official authority,” Mai said with a sigh. “I’d hate to ask you to intervene every time.”