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“How could anyone resist such delicacies?” She peered around at the other ladies pecking at their meals like birds. Of the two concubines, only Lady Sun was eating her fill. For her part, Xifeng ate until every morsel had disappeared from her plate.
She looked up to see Emperor Jun, of all people, smiling at her. His eyes held the spark of humor she recalled from their first meeting. She was struck again by his familiarity, like he was someone she had known a long time ago, and her heart gave an uneven beat. Beside her husband, Empress Lihua glanced at her.
“Stand up and bow when His Majesty acknowledges you, girl,” Madam Hong hissed.
Xifeng obeyed. When she looked up again, the Emperor nodded to someone: a small, handsome man with elegant features. The ambassador to Kamatsu approached, beaming at her.
“Shiro, my dear friend.” She drank in the sight of him. “I told His Majesty you and I traveled together. How kind of him to remember.”
Shiro surveyed her affectionately. “I was surprised when he mentioned you. You look lovely as ever and right at home. I always knew you’d do well at court despite Hideki’s ominous warnings.” He gestured across the room to the soldier, who lifted a cup of wine to them.
“It seems more like home than my town ever did. But that’s not to say it has been easy.” She glanced at the Emperor, who was still watching them.
“You’ve certainly won the Emperor’s approval. He insisted I come speak to you tonight.”
“He seems a kind man,” Xifeng said, but he did not respond. “How have you fared? Do you miss home?”
“Hideki would have a ship ready tomorrow if I desired it. But I’m happy to remain here for the full year, with good reason. Akira and I were married a week ago.”
“Congratulations.” She blinked, feeling a pang of envy as he drew his shoulders back, his eyes bright. How simple it was for others to love and live life—how perfectly easy. “I wish you both much joy. Why isn’t she here with you?”
“She was too busy to come, though I’m sure she would have liked to have seen you.”
“I’ve spoken to her father,” Xifeng told him. “I wonder if they’ll ever meet.”
“Not if my wife has anything to say about it.” She felt another twinge at the way he lingered proudly overmy wife. “He chose not to have her in his life, so she’s happy to lead hers without him. Oh, I saw Wei the other day.”
Her heart jumped. “How is he?”
“Very well. He was practicing for the procession. Perhaps you’ll see him if you go.”
She didn’t miss the pity in his eyes. Even Shiro thought they would never meet again. “His Majesty mentioned you’ll join the envoy to the mountains. How far is the journey?”
“Two weeks there and two weeks back, but Hideki and I don’t mind. I couldn’t pass up this chance to go.” He toyed with the hem of his sleeve. “I haven’t had the easiest life, as you know. It was prayer that saved me, and I want to thank the gods for my good fortune.”
“I’m happy for you,” she said softly, and meant it, though the old lingering resentment—that the gods never seemed to hearher—returned.
“Did you enjoy the prayer days? I thought you might, since the readings are like poetry and tell the history of the gods.”
“I did. But I’ve always wanted to know why we include the Lord of Surjalana in our prayers when he was the one who broke the alliance. I always assumed things might be contentious for him once they all returned to the heavens again.”
The dwarf gave a conspiratorial smile and lowered his voice. “Some court scholars say he never returned to the heavens, but remained here on Earth. They say he hid himself so well, no one could ever find him again.” He glanced at the others, but they were all busy talking and eating. “That’s a revolutionary theory even among the scholars, so keep it to yourself. I know Empress Lihua is extremely devout and would take a dim view of it.”
Chills snaked down Xifeng’s spine. “But why would he remain here?”
Shiro shrugged. “Some say he was beyond saving after mankind poisoned him with jealousy against the Dragon King. I’ve heard some speculate he burrowed underground, lured by the human concept of ultimate power.”
“Underground? Why?”
“To build himself a hellish army with which to overtake the continent one day, kingdom by kingdom.” He rolled his eyes, to show her what he thought of that idea. “It seems a bit outlandish, but the theorists argue that is the reasoning behind our wars and conflicts. They say his continued presence here has spoiled any hope for peace and unity.”
“It sounds like something Hideki would come up with.” They laughed at his expense.
“He is rather dramatic,” Shiro agreed, grinning. “I should go backand save those around him from his company. It was a delight, my dear. Perhaps I’ll see you during the carnival.”
They bowed to each other, and she watched him go with a bone-deep sadness for the simpler time when they had all traveled together. But her melancholy did not last long, for the gong sounded again to signal the end of the banquet.
A smile crossed Xifeng’s face. She had a feeling another spectacle was about to begin.
