Page 63 of Drawn into Oblivion

“Good evening, Mai,” Shumei said.

Mai jumped and turned to the royal couple sedately strolling toward her. She hardly noticed Vallen, for Shumei seemed lit from within. Even the joining mark on her neck shone as if it could cast a shadow in a dark room. Mai blinked, convinced her poor night’s sleep was playing tricks on her, but the empress was truly and literally glowing.

“I’m glad to see you feeling well, Empress,” she said, bowing low.

“As I’ve said, Mai, please call me Shumei.”

A powerful, alluring scent washed over Mai. She instantly thought of Kyoko’s comment about spilled perfume: pleasant but pungent. The waves of comfort that accompanied the scent also felt familiar. Mai straightened and knew without question—from the roots of her soul—that she faced a goddess.

“I see you already know, just as you know what he gave you. Come in and listen to what I have to say,” Shumei bade, reaching out to squeeze her shoulder. Mai sighed as the pressure on her heart eased immeasurably. Confidence and composure filled her, and a deep breath pulled in a lungful of the lush, heady scent the empress emanated. “Would you do the honors?” Shumei nodded toward the Red Room.

“Of course,” Mai said, wondering why she had been loath to join the others. She grabbed door’s edge without hesitation and slid it open. Everyone inside fell silent. She quickly slipped into the room amid small gasps and hasty bows.

“Mai, over here.” A feminine whisper caught her ears, and she spotted the Spring ladies standing in a clump. Taiga waved from her hip, trying to be subtle, while throwing nervous glances at the other side of the room. Mai peeked in that direction and spotted the only other person who was paying her any attention.

Rosuke stood at the rear of the room, held back by two other officers, Captains Kiyoshi and Yuushi. Rosuke was tense, his stance wide. He stared at her as if she alone would keep him from drowning.

Mai use the last ounce of willpower she had left to go to her fellow house elders rather than cross the room to him. Now was not the time to settle personal matters.

“Ignore him,” Nae whispered once Mai had joined them. “Ever since he arrived, he’s done nothing but prowl around and make everyone even more nervous.”

“Can anyone else smell that?” Kagumi asked as she put her nose to the air.

“Yes, it smells like a forest or a garden,” Taiga agreed.

“No, no. It’s more like…fruit?”

Nae ignored the change in subject. “It’s shameful that he should look so angry when he’s the one who upset you so.”

Mai sensed an inconsistency and had to ask. “How do you know it was because of him?”

“He stood outside your door for hours, listening to you cry and doing nothing about it,” Kagumi said with an angry pout. “How could he treat you like that?”

“What?” Mai stuttered.

Unable to resist, she dared another glance at Rosuke, whose eyes were still locked on her. His expression reminded her of that hot summer afternoon during the advanced-combat practice. Their eyes had met, and he had stared at her as if staking a claim.

Apparently, claiming her once already hadn’t been enough to fulfill his need to ensnare a woman’s heart, for his stare seemed so much more intimate now. Full of promises. He looked as though he was two seconds away from grabbing her up and carrying her from the room. Mai had to tear her gaze away.

“We all saw him when we returned from putting our houses to rights,” Arashi said, speaking to Mai but throwing a blistering glare in Rosuke’s direction. “I kept peeking out to check and he was always there. He didn’t leave until you stopped. The man’s a demon.” Mai stiffened as Arashi pretty much hit the nail right on the head.

“Everyone,” the empress said, effectively silencing the room. The only sound that followed was the tap of the door as Vallen shut it. “We have much to discuss tonight, none of which shall leave this room unless I say so. Is that understood?”

All in attendance uneasily bobbed their heads in agreement. Mai took that moment to glance at the high general, who looked rather exhausted if his tired eyes were any clue. He hadn’t slept well.

“First, I offer my sincere thanks to the officers for their bravery yesterday,” Shumei began, nodding to the men in the room. “I also thank the house elders for restoring order.” She nodded to the women. “Lastly, I wish to thank one woman in particular.” The empress locked eyes with Mai, who couldn’t help but fidget in reaction, especially when every other head in the room turned to her as well. “When I lost consciousness last night, she did not hesitate to do something risky in order to help me. She brought me back from…far away. Thank you, Elder Mai.”

Shumei bowed her head, and Mai bent at the waist in return, chest tight with pride. She felt a hand each from Taiga and Nae on her upper back.

The empress swept her eyes over the small crowd. “When I lost consciousness, I found myself in the most beautiful place I could ever imagine, with rolling hills and towering mountains on the horizon. I thought I had ascended to the Garden. And I was right.” Nearly everyone’s face fell, and gasps abounded. “The Divine One had called me there, and he gave me his full support regarding the plan I’m about to lay out. His confidence in me was greatly needed, for I had been uncertain about our next steps. Steps I am now prepared to make.”

“Empress, if I may?” The delicate voice of the elder of Summer’s House Dragonfly flitted through the room.

“Of course,” Shumei allowed.

“We have all noticed a change in you. A sort of scent.” Others nodded and glanced expectantly at the empress. Someone remarked upon her ethereal glow.

“I believe that would be best explained if I first outlined what exactly I’ve decided to do,” Shumei said slowly. “But first, Commander Jun, how many able-bodied men and women are in the imperial force?” The commander straightened and puffed out his wide chest as he stepped forward. Though he was still only forty-five at most, Commander Jun was the oldest high-ranking officer in the court—and the largest. He had a thick beard and salt-and-pepper hair, his shoulders broader than any other man’s in the room. Mai always thought he looked as though he could easily wield a tree trunk as a weapon.