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HIKARU HURRIED DOWN the hall. His servant, Yori, chased after him, tugging at his sleeves and trying to straighten Hikaru’s crooked outer robe. He spotted Rin across the veranda. She did not see him at first; she was looking around the palace with interest, her neck craned, and her pale skin contrasted against crimson leaves on her robe. Yori collided with him from behind.
“Pardon me, my lord,” Yori said.
Hikaru waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. A jade comb in Rin’s hair sparkled and winked at him as she moved under shafts of sunlight falling onto the landing. She turned and their eyes met.
Yori cleared his throat. Hikaru had forgotten he was there. “There’s no need for you to apologize; I stopped too suddenly. I thought I felt something in my sock.”
“Should I take you back to your chamber and switch them out, my lord?” Yori asked, with a hardly stifled laugh, which he poorly disguised as a cough.
As Rin drew closer, he suddenly felt very aware of his attire. He ran his hands over his hair to make sure it was smooth and then discreetly turned to Yori. “How do I look?”
Yori smiled, like a fond uncle would. “Very handsome, my lord.”
“You know how to please your lord. I will call for you later.”
Yori bowed, but the grin did not leave his face as he backed away. “As you say, my lord.”
Rin was close enough now that he could touch her if he were so bold. Her smile flashed across her face. Unlike so many noble ladies he met, her smile was broad and reached her eyes. Can the sun even shine as bright as that smile?
He bowed to her in greeting. She stared back at him. Did I do something wrong? Why did she not bow as well?
The handmaiden who accompanied Rin gasped. When Hikaru glanced at the maid, she turned her head away, a blush staining her cheeks. He was not the only one who had noticed Rin’s bad manners. It was her eccentric behavior that fascinated him and it endeared him to her more than anything.
“Lady Nishimori, I am glad to see you. I hope you slept well.”
The smirk did not leave her ruby lips, but it curved the corners of her mouth in a way that was both enticing and mysterious. The night before he had been sure he misunderstood her intentions. What noble lady would invite a man she just met into her chamber? But judging from the secretive way she smiled and how she looked at him through her lashes, that may have indeed been her intention. He tugged at his collar; he felt very hot all of a sudden. I’m turning into a lecher. I must be misreading her signals.
“I thought perhaps we might break our fast together.” He motioned towards the room beyond. The sliding doors had been pulled back on all sides. The sun filtered into the room, giving it natural light. On the opposite end of the room, it overlooked a courtyard garden, one of many sprinkled across the palace. The maple tree in the center of the courtyard burst with crimson leaves, which brightened an otherwise bleak garden.
Rin walked through the room, and instead of seating herself on one of the pillows on the floor, she went into the garden. It was a small space and Rin, wearing the same kimono he had found her in, seemed to fill the bleak space with light. She stepped down from the landing and revealed dainty bare feet as she lifted up the hem of her kimono. She stepped onto the cobblestones that made a path through the small garden. She stood beneath the maple tree and tilted her head back. It revealed the column of her throat and the nape of her neck; it was oddly erotic. He had seen such few glimpses of her flesh, but each time it stirred something within him. He followed her out as if in a trance.
He did not take off his own socks, but he did find a pair of sandals by the door and slid them on so he could join her in the garden. He followed her same path, his sandals clicking on the stones. She turned to him. Her eyes reflected the gold of her kimono, and her hair in the light looked almost coppery. He stared for a moment, thinking once more of the strange woman who had saved him in the woods. But when he blinked, she returned to as she was, dark hair and eyes, a noble lady. She was an odd woman, but that was what drew him to her.
“Do you like the tree?” he asked. How simple I must sound.
She smiled and moved closer. She pressed her hand to the bark and then to her heart.
“You seem to have a strong attachment to nature.” He hesitated, then under his breath said, “I wish you could tell me what you were thinking.”
She did not look at him, but he could feel her smirk somehow. She has secrets that I would drain the ocean to learn. She makes me want to write bad poetry. I may be more adept with a brush than a sword, but I do not think anything I could pen would do justice to her innocence and beauty.
“I’ve heard that the Nishimoris have strong ties to the forest. They say it is because of your patron Kami, but I do not put much stock in those sorts of things.”
She turned to look at him. Her eyes traced his face and then slowly went down to his throat and over his shoulders. It was an intimate feeling having her eyes travel over him like that. It felt as if she could see through him. Did she find him wanting? Did she like what she saw? She looked at his face again and then shrugged. The sting of her dismissal nearly staggered him. He was left with his mouth agape as she turned and ran back up the stairs. She must be teasing me. He followed her back into the room. The servants had laid out a meal of miso soup, broiled fish, rice, and an assortment of side dishes, including fried tofu.
Rin knelt down on one of the pillows and she leaned forward, smelling the food in front of her. Her expression was blissful. He could not help but drink in her appearance. She seemed to experience the world as if for the first time, like she had been born just the day before.
“Is everything to your liking?” he asked.
She picked up a bowl of fried tofu and had pressed it nearly to her nose. She closed her eyes and exhaled. When she opened them, she looked at him rather sheepishly. He laughed and she smiled before diving into the tofu with gusto. He watched her eat for a few more moments before taking a few bites of his own food. I cannot keep staring, it’s rude.
When she finished the tofu, she tried the fish, which seemed to her liking, as did the rice and the soup. She ate heartily, which was a refreshing change. So many of the women he encountered nibbled and hardly ate. Rin was different from them in so many ways.
When they finished their meal, he offered her a tour of the palace. He started at the outer ring of the palace. This area was populated by the servants and lower-ranking clan members. A young woman walked with her head down, carrying empty dishes back to the kitchen. Hikaru did not notice the woman approaching them until she collided with Rin. Hikaru caught Rin about the waist and she fell against his chest, clutching onto his outer robe. He stared down into her large dark eyes. She smiled at him before very gently pushing away. Her hand seemed to linger on his chest a moment longer than necessary, but he might have imagined it. The servant who fell knelt over the broken dishes, which she picked up and placed in her upturned apron. Hikaru noticed and bent down to help her up.
“My apologies, my lord, I was not watching where I was going.” She did not look at Hikaru, but he could see her eyes darting towards Rin.
“We should have watched where we were going. You are the one who was doing her duty.” He smiled at her, but the young woman did not return it.
She gathered the dishes and fragments, refusing Hikaru’s help. When she was finished, she gave him a low bow, scurried backwards and hurried away from them. When she disappeared around the corner, Hikaru returned his attention to Rin. They walked side by side through the palace grounds. He wanted to reach out to touch her hand or brush against her arm, though he knew it would be inappropriate. No matter where they went, the servants watched them go; their expressions were mixed fear and apprehension. At first he paid it no heed; then he heard their whispers and could feel the tension in the air like a blanket covering them. The servants would never openly stare, but they all but did. One man ran in the opposite direction as they approached. He looked at Rin, who grinned back at him. She did not seem to notice. Rumors have already begun to spread. I must stop this now, or she may suffer the same fate.
“Let’s go to the practice yard. I can show you the men at work.”
She inclined her head and they walked off together. The practice area was full of activity as they approached. A ring of men surrounded two who sparred. Swords rang as they collided, followed by the shouts of the watchers in support of their champion. Hikaru and Rin took a spot in the shade of a veranda that overlooked the yard. Rin scooted very close to the edge, her eyes glued to the fight.
The men were shirtless and glistened with sweat. The man to the right breathed heavily, his practice wooden sword held at the ready. Hotaru, on the opposite side, eyed his challenger with a grim look of determination. Hikaru had seen that look in his brother’s eye before and he was glad not to be on the receiving end of it. Hotaru’s opponent had his back to them and did not appear to even have broken a sweat. The two charged one another, swords slashing and jabbing.
Rin touched Hikaru’s elbow, and he flinched involuntarily. Her casual touches inflamed him and filled his thoughts with images of what could have happened had he acknowledged her invitation from the night before. Damn my honor. If I were a different man, I might consider it. As it was, he was hard-pressed to push aside such selfish thoughts. She did not withdraw her hand, however. When he looked at her, it seemed there was a question she wanted to ask.
“Are you wondering what they are doing?” he asked.
She shook her head.
“Then perhaps you want to know why they are practicing?”
She nodded.
He looked back to the men. The man who had his back turned to them before was facing them now. Hikaru recognized Captain Sadao. He had his brother cornered and the strain of keeping his cool was visible in Hotaru’s face. It gave Hikaru a jolt to see his brother with his back against the wall for once, but he knew it wouldn’t last. Hotaru never lost. Hikaru held his breath, expecting his brother to turn the tables at the last moment. Captain Sadao jabbed again, the practice sword grazing against Hotaru’s unprotected midriff. A killing blow. Hotaru threw up his hands in surrender. The fight was over. The captain and Hotaru bowed to one another. Rin stepped in front of him, her brow raised. She was waiting for an answer.
Hikaru hesitated to reply; his family’s business was private. It had not occurred to him until this moment that she may very well be a spy sent by their enemies. “It is not right for me to speak of war in a lady’s presence.”
She crossed her arms in front of her in a most unladylike fashion.
He sighed. “We are preparing for war. There has been tension between the clans.”
She looked back to the men fighting, her expression thoughtful.
“There is no need to worry, your father and mine are allies. You are safe here.” He dearly hoped she was not a spy and he was just being paranoid.
She smiled, but it lacked the conviction of her previous smiles. Her eyes seemed troubled.
“Hikaru, have you decided to take up swordplay?”
His brother Hotaru approached them. Rin perked up as he approached. His brother’s hair was down and he dabbed at his face with a towel. He had hoped his brother would be distracted by his loss and not notice them. I’ve never seen anyone beat Hotaru before.
“I was showing Lady Nishimori around,” Hikaru replied. It was difficult to keep the ice from his tone when Rin looked at Hotaru like a woman dying of thirst.
His brother looked Rin up and down, his gaze slow and languid. Hikaru’s hands balled into fists at his sides. Hotaru had a reputation with women; his natural magnetism and position made it easy. Hikaru stepped discreetly in front of Rin, drawing his brother’s attention to him.
“I see you have met your match, brother.” Hikaru nodded towards Captain Sadao.
Hotaru laughed. “I have to let them win from time to time. It keeps up morale.”
Hikaru rolled his eyes, but his brother did not notice. While the captain did not appear taxed at all, Hotaru’s brow glistened with sweat and his breathing remained labored. Hotaru stepped around Hikaru to approach Lady Rin. “I have heard much about you, my lady. The rumors of your beauty do not do you justice.”
Rin batted her eyes at Hotaru.
“We should be going. This is not a place for a woman to linger,” Hikaru said and grabbed onto Rin’s wrist without thinking. He pulled Rin along after him. She came, but when they were alone again, she wrenched her hand from his.
She glared at him and he could see the accusation in her eyes.
“Don’t be angry, Lady Nishimori, my brother has a reputation—” He choked on the rest of his words. He dared not offend her further.
She tossed her head and stomped away from him. He went to chase after her when he was intercepted by a servant, who stepped into his path, blocking him from following after Rin.
“My lord, your father bid me give you a message.”
“What is it?” Hikaru snarled. He looked past the servant to Rin, who was about to turn the corner and out of sight.
“He has sent me to remind you that your wife is to come soon, and it would not be appropriate to be seen paying any special attention to our guest.”
Hikaru looked at the servant. His eyes were lowered, but he knew how his father’s men reveled in delivering his decrees.
“Tell my father I do not forget my place.” He clenched his jaw, biting back what he would rather say.
***
“LADY NISHIMORI!” HOTARU called out to her. Though he was not one to shout, he did not want her to get away. He was fortunate his brother was stupid enough to fall for a fake message. She did not turn around, so he called out again, “Lady Nishimori.”
Again she ignored him. Perhaps he had offended her? He jogged to catch up with her. A few servants saw him and gave him an indulgent smile. He grinned back. They turned their heads away, pretending not to see his uncouth manner. His father would be furious if he saw him chasing after a woman in broad daylight, shouting like a child at play. But because he had the hearts of the servants, he could do as he wished and his father would be none the wiser. His people loved him. He was more like them than his brother, who looked down upon them.
She turned suddenly and saw him jogging towards her. A slow smile spread over her features and he saw that glint in her eye that he had spotted before. Hikaru had all but dropped the perfect prize in his lap. He might not be able to take his brother’s spot as future elder, but a good marriage could make all the difference. He caught up to Lady Nishimori and bowed. She tilted her head, looking him up and down, but did not bow in return. Does she think herself better than me?
The sudden flash of temper was quickly squashed. He replaced his frown with a charming grin. He needed her. The Nishimoris were wealthy, if not a bit eccentric, something he was willing to deal with if he could win her.
“My lady, I am sorry to chase after you in this way. I had to speak with you.”
She raised an elegant brow, curiosity plain on her features.
“Do not think me forward, but I wanted to know if you would walk with me?”
She nodded her head and they fell into step together easily enough. Hotaru pointed out the different buildings and spoke of the founders of their clan, one of the first in the region to build a palace. He showed her his father’s additions to the sprawling palace grounds, gardens and a temple to their patron Kami.
“This was built by my father some fifteen years ago.” He pointed to the freestanding structure; it was surrounded by decorative plants and painted bright red. The roof was made of black tile, and strings of ofuda hung along a tori arch that separated the temple from the courtyard beyond. Inside they could see screens made of wooden squares. “The original shrine is sealed away and in disrepair. I used to play there when I was a boy until I heard about the ghost that haunts it.”
He smirked at her, hoping to get a rise out of her. She blinked at him without fear.
“Do you not fear ghosts, my lady?”
She smirked in return.
He liked her fire. She was not a demure flower like the other women he met. She had a pretty smile and a comely expression; a pity she was mute, she would have been a perfect bride. But second sons never got perfect brides. He was sure if he presented the match to Lord Kaedemori, he would be sure to agree. At last you do something right, Hikaru. This girl will be a great asset to me.
“Perhaps my lady would like to see the haunted shrine?”
She nodded. He looked over his shoulder. One of the maids trailed after them, most likely charged with keeping Lady Nishimori’s virtue intact. But for what he planned, that would never do. He grabbed her wrist and pulled.
“Run,” he said and they ran down the hallways, the maid shouting after them. He tugged her down a corridor and then threw open a door to hide in the chamber beyond. They listened breathless as the maid ran past. Then laughing, they ran out the door and down the hall towards the hidden shrine. When they got close, he slowed his pace but did not let go of her hand. She looked around with interest, unaffected by the ominous aura that clung to this space. He had not been there in years, but something about the shrine gave him chills. They said Lord Kaedemori’s first wife haunted this place—he thought it must be true. The servants swore they heard wailing here late at night.
“We’re almost there.”
Just as they were about to round the corner and reach the shrine, they were stopped by an unwelcome intruder.
“My lord, you should not go there. It is off-limits.”
Hotaru straightened up. He winked at Rin, but she was staring at Captain Sadao. She scrutinized his face as if trying to solve a riddle. He held back a scowl; he did not want the captain to think he was a sore loser. He would be sore tomorrow, he was certain. That was the first time Captain Sadao had given him his all. He usually held back when they sparred, but there was something different about the captain since he returned from the forest. All the men had been altered by what they had seen. But did that mean he had to ruin his chance to woo Lady Nishimori?
“I was giving Lady Nishimori a tour. She wanted to see the haunted shrine.”
The captain’s gaze flickered over Hotaru and then to Rin. “I think you should leave this place, it’s not safe.” He looked at them both when he spoke, but his words seemed like they were directed at Rin.
Hotaru opened his mouth to argue, but Rin rested a hand on his shoulder and he desisted.
“Very well, we will go and find amusement elsewhere.”
Disappointed and angry at being shamed by the captain twice in one day, he turned and grabbed Rin, urging her to follow. The men might love him and the servants might worship him, but when it came down to it, he had no real power. And that fact chafed. He gripped her wrist tighter than he intended, and after a few moments she wrenched her hand away from him. He replaced his smile, smothering his anger beneath a friendly mask.
She looked at him warily, her eyes scrutinizing him. He had not meant to show his anger. He was usually good about hiding that behind a carefully crafted facade. “There are many places to see around the palace. The moon-viewing pool is beautiful at night. Perhaps you’d like to meet me there tonight?”
She looked him up and down as if assessing him. It did not sit well; his temper, already rubbed raw, could not stand her judgment as well. He did not need another person to find him wanting. He had to take control of the situation, just as he would make his own destiny. He rested his hand on her shoulder.
“Excuse me for being direct, but perhaps your coming here was not an accident?”
Her eyes grew wide and panic fluttered across her expression. That was not what he was expecting. It was not unheard of for a nobleman to send an eligible daughter to entice a lord into marriage. But Lady Nishimori was like no noble lady he had ever met. She should know this game. They all danced this dance: flirt, negotiate, and marry. But she looked frightened of him as if he had uncovered a deeper secret. Perhaps she did not come here looking for a husband. Could it be she is not a lady at all?
He had to be sure. “Let me speak plainly. I know why you are here.”
She met his gaze unblinking, chin lifted and defiant. She did not demure like other noble ladies. She is very strange.
“I am looking for supporters, and I think your father could be one of those. Perhaps a marriage could even be arranged between our houses.”
She took a step back, relief on her face. She is hiding something.
“Forgive me, that is not something I should address to you. I should write to your father.”
She shook her head and then rested her hand on his arm and squeezed as she drew closer to him, and her breast brushed against his chest. She does not act like a lady, and she’s wanton. She is no noble lady. I would bet my life on it.
He tore his hand away. “Who are you? Are you a spy?”
She recoiled and shook her head. Before he could question her further, her breathless maid caught up with them at last. He dared not interrogate the lady in front of a servant. If he had misread her, it could cause a scandal, one he could not afford. He would wait and watch to find out more.
“My lady! This is highly inappropriate.” Then seeing Hotaru, she bowed with a blush and led Lady Nishimori away with a quick apology. He watched them retreat, his mind whirling. What has my brother brought into this place?