Butterfly Swords (27 page)

‘But I swore to him.’ She looked at him through her lashes. ‘There is a way that things must be done.’

One of the Emperor’s soldiers came to bind his wounds. Ryam had to wait for him to finish before he could speak to Ailey again.

He leaned close, lowering his voice. ‘If I swear myself to you, will you help me around those ways should I get confused?’

The answer came from the Emperor. ‘You had better swear to her, swordsman.’

Ailey jumped back at the sound of her father’s voice. Ryam grinned. The fierce little swordswoman was afraid of her parents. She started to explain, but her father silenced her.

Taking a deep breath, Ryam faced Emperor Shen. The fight with Li Tao might have been the easier part of the day.

‘Thank you for lending me your weapon.’

Ryam held out the sword and the Emperor tucked the dragon sword alongside his arm.

‘Finish what you were saying to my daughter,’ he said. Ryam didn’t fail to notice that Shen hadn’t put the sword away.

‘I was going to swear—’ He cursed himself for never learning proper Han. He looked like an unwashed barbarian and definitely sounded like one. ‘I was going to tell her I love her.’

Ailey’s face grew bright and she straightened, ready to rush into his arms. The Emperor thwarted her.

‘Walk with me,’ he commanded.

She made a sound of protest as they turned and took the path away from the compound. A spark of amusement lit the Emperor’s eyes at his daughter’s impatience.

‘You fought well.’

Ryam pictured Li Tao and him on the ground, rolling and exchanging punches. Not exactly brilliant technique, and probably not quite honourable either.

‘The Emperor is generous with his praise,’ he said, rubbing at the back of his neck.

‘You displayed great sword skill. Tell me, how did you learn?’

‘From my father.’

The Emperor nodded. ‘That is the best way.’

Shen reminded him of Ailey. He could see the roots of her quiet strength and her ability to accept. Walking beside the Emperor filled him with a solid sense of purpose. The stone pathway gave way to dirt as they made their way back into the forest. The Emperor’s train of attendants and soldiers fell into position around them.

Ailey walked a respectable distance behind them, her hands clasped together nervously as she strained to hear the conversation.

‘This is why we arrange marriages.’ The Emperor shook his head. ‘Look at the two of you. Completely blind. How would one ever make a good choice?’

‘I…uh…’ Ryam stammered for words. ‘I know I don’t deserve her—’

Shen raised his hand impatiently. ‘My daughter does not like self-doubt. When she makes a decision, she holds on to it.’

He held the sword out between them, showing the dragon insignia. ‘You recognise this?’

Ryam nodded. ‘It belonged to the great General Shen, your father.’

‘My father,’ he echoed. ‘And now it belongs to you.’

The Emperor held it out to him, balancing the blade against his arm.

‘It’s an insult to refuse,’ Ailey whispered over his shoulder. She was staring at her father with surprise and adoration. Ryam recognised that look from her. He hoped he’d get to see it often in his lifetime. Humbly, he wrapped his hand around the hilt. The weapon was lighter than the one he’d carried all his life. It moved with more freedom.

‘The glory of our family was built on honour and loyalty. You will serve that tradition well.’

The Emperor beckoned Ailey over with a nod. Ryam curved his arm around her as she fitted herself against his side, soft and radiant and perfect.

‘My fifth son will be joining me in Changan. His talents will be better served there. I need a capable warrior in the north-west frontier to administer the lands, train our soldiers and protect the border.’

Ryam frowned. The court dialect was extravagant, verbose. He couldn’t quite follow the Emperor’s meaning. Was Shen actually suggesting that he install himself at Longyou?

‘This humble…I mean, I don’t…’

Shen clasped his shoulder in a paternal gesture. ‘None of us deserves the things we have been given. We can only spend the rest of our days earning them.’

With that, the Emperor walked away, taking the lead of the assembly of attendants and soldiers. They followed him en masse.

‘He says yes,’ Ailey explained breathlessly. Finally alone with each other, she snuggled close and wound her arms around his neck.

‘How do I tell him I accept?’

‘You already have.’

She searched his face for a spot that wasn’t battered. Carefully, tenderly, she kissed the corner of his mouth. He laughed and tightened his arms around her to hold her against him. The aches and pains of the day faded away.

T
hey travelled together with the Emperor’s escort through the forest and back to Longyou. Ailey watched with pride as Ryam rode alongside her father, learning about the empire from the Emperor himself.

During the journey, she asked Father if he regretted breaking his alliance with Li Tao over her. His only reply was that it was already broken long before.

Ryam fell back beside her as they came upon the family home sheltered in the embrace of the mountains.

‘This is more responsibility than I’ve ever had,’ he said with a deep breath.

‘You are not afraid?’

He grinned. ‘Never.’

‘Mother hasn’t seen you. Or Grandmother. They’ll want to come by. And my brothers.’

He stopped her. ‘Now I am getting scared.’

‘You may have to fight my brothers,’ she said with complete seriousness. ‘And maybe Grandmother.’

He blinked. ‘I had better practise.’

Her father rode forwards, tall and proud in the saddle as he looked on their home. It was how she felt returning there. Father would return to Changan to reign as Emperor, but she never had belonged in the imperial city. This was her home in the silent mountains, as the youngest daughter in the honourable line of the Shen family.

Ryam didn’t look at all like her father or her brothers, but he was the same. She had known it before he had known it. She had known it from the moment they had crossed swords.

‘This is a long way from your home,’ she said.

‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘This is the closest I have ever been.’

ISBN: 978-1-4268-7007-1

BUTTERFLY SWORDS

Copyright © 2010 by Jeannie Lin

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