Page 30 of Drawn into Oblivion

“You were worried about me,” she murmured. He smelled like soap. She tried to lift her arms, but the blanket tucked tightly around her went all the way up to her chin, and she still felt weak.

“Of course I was worried,” he whispered. “Seeing you crumple like that…”

What had happened on that roof still haunted Rosuke. The wind blowing off the circle had been nearly enough to push him back. Mai had stood in the calm, still center, the eye of the storm. Her strength had visibly drained from her into the circle, like a flower wilting. The destroyed areas of the city had seethed like a stormy sea, the ground rolling and churning. When she’d fallen, her scream of pain had stabbed him right in the heart.

He had tried to pull her out of the circle, but had discovered just how strong Vallen was when his friend restrained him, even though he’d tried with all his might to reach her. Only when she’d slumped to her side had the magic abated. He had run to her, his mind blank but for the terrifying thought the spell had killed her, and he had nearly collapsed with relief when he’d found her still breathing. No one had stood in his way as he’d carried her to her room, but Shumei and Kyoko had silently followed.

“Your house is worried about you as well,” he said. “It seems as though every single one of your eight hundred people has come to visit you.”

Mai opened her eyes as he leaned closer, his scent and body heat preceding him. He held her cheek in his hand. She managed to pull her arm from beneath the blanket, and her grip on his wrist was feeble. Her fingers would hardly move.

“And the results?” she asked.

He gave her a devastating grin. “Incredible. The ground swallowed the ruins of the siege. Everywhere that had been reduced to ash is gone, and in its place? Trees.” She softly gasped, as entranced by the awe on his face as the news of what the spell had accomplished. “Willows in one area, ginkgoes in another. The grove of cherry trees has been named after you. You’ve revitalized the city.”

“Divine One have mercy.”

He held her hand as he explained how the razed fields around the city had sprouted anew. The wheat fields were near to maturity, the rice paddies were resewn, and the orchards to the east were heavy with fruit. She had, in short, saved the harvest. And with a city and an army to feed, such a bounty had been sorely needed.

“I didn’t know magic could do any of that,” she confessed. “Were such feats common when you were at court all those years ago?”

“It…” Pain pinched his face before he looked away. His sudden silence and abrupt change in mood put a chill in the air that raised the hairs on her arms.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“No, it’s all right,” he said, shaking his head. “I understand the curiosity. Vallen and I both do. But for me, I want to put away what I can of the old court. I wish for new traditions and new stories—a new start. I don’t like—” He squinted as if searching for the right words. “I don’t like the person I was then. I don’t like wondering whether I’ve changed.”

Lying there in bed, alone in her room with him, and looking up at his pained expression, Mai saw Rosuke anew. She couldn’t entirely understand what he meant without context, but she understood the feeling behind his words. She also wanted to put away her past. To evolve. To prove her worth, if only to herself. She decided to change the topic.

“Why are you tending to me? Surely you have duties more pressing than watching over a sleeping woman.”

The look he gave her was almost harsh. “None of my duties are as important as you.” Her heart shot to her throat. He looked away again, swallowing hard. “Archery lessons, meetings on combat strategy, drafting a code of conduct. All that can wait if you’re in need.”

“Rosuke,” she said softly.

“That goes for your duties as well. Your house meetings have been postponed, and your assistant took over the writing lessons. Anything that requires your attention for the festival has been worked around. Your house awaits your recovery.”

“I’ve stalled everything,” she fretted.

“Two days isn’t much of a delay.”

She blinked. “Two days? Didn’t I do the spell this morning?”

“Yesterday morning,” he corrected, and her jaw dropped. “I’ve never heard anyone snore so loud.” But a wink and a smile belied his sober tone.

“Hey,” she said with a laughing pout. “I don’t snore.”

“Are you hungry?”

Famished, she realized, like the front and back of her stomach were touching. Whatever spell Rosuke had cast had dulled her hunger pangs, but the feeling of emptiness was uncomfortable.

“Very,” she answered. “I think I’d like to sit up more.”

“I-I should give you some privacy, then.”

She drew her eyebrows together in confusion and looked down at herself. Wait, her arms were bare. And her shoulders. In fact, all that separated her nudity from his eyes was a single layer.

“Who undressed me?” she asked with alarm, gripping the edge of the blanket.