Temptation of the Butterfly, page 10
“What?” Fen shook her head in denial.
“And she doesn’t want to tell us about it,” he continued.
“No,” Fen said, guiltily thinking of Aaron. She couldn’t tell them of him. “There is no one.”
“Hmm,” Haun said. “Definitely someone. I say Ye Shing.”
“I say Deng Li,” Lian said.
“I say Lord Ye,” Shen laughed teasingly. “He is very enamored with you. He can barely keep his eyes off you when you are near him.”
“Ugh, I think he’d be happy so long as I chose someone from his family.” Fen shook her head. “You should hear him go on about his home. It’s annoying.”
“Ho!” a shout sounded.
Fen realized they’d come near the exercise grounds. The soldiers were throwing long spears. She stopped to watch.
“They haven’t done that in a long while,” she said, watching as the weapons arched high only to land with their metal tips in the ground. Most of the spears stood up from the ground, but a few fell over.
“The general asked permission this morning to revive some of the old fighting techniques to help the guards remember their usage. He said he was compelled to do a block of ancient training.” Haun paused as the spears again flew through the air. The breeze picked up some, carrying them a little farther than before. The field was still a little bit away and Fen wanted to get closer to see. Haun, as if sharing her desire, started walking toward the field. As the spears landed, more falling over, he said, “It looks like the general was right. The men do need the practice.”
“Let’s watch,” Fen said. Gardeners blocked the path up ahead. They were snipping flowers with long sheers and cutting back overgrowth in the shrubs. “Come on.”
Fen started to thread her arm through Shen’s when she tripped. She let out a small sound of surprise as she fell.
Shen sprang into action, catching her arm. Lian was there a second later, pulling her other arm. They caught Fen’s body, holding her a couple inches from impact with the ground. A sharp pain entered her chest and she gasped, glancing down. Shen and Lian pulled her arms, lifting her up. As she was righted on her feet, the light showed her what had hit her skin.
It was a piece of metal, and it stuck out of her left breast. Blood trickled down her bodice.
“Fen?” Shen asked, seeing it first.
“Tianna,” Lian swore.
Haun was there a second later. “Don’t move her.”
“What is it?” Lian asked.
“It looks like a piece of old metal. Maybe from a sedan?” Haun carefully examined the wound.
Fen closed her eyes. She didn’t care where it came from, she just wanted it out of her. It really stung.
“Take a breath and hold it.”
Fen did. Haun placed a hand on her shoulder as her two other brothers held her arms. The metal was pulled free and Haun instantly pushed his finger against the wound. It throbbed painfully, but she knew she’d live.
“A sedan?” Fen said, feeling woozy as she opened her eyes to look at the metal. “The last sedan used was to cart Francesca and it wasn’t on this path. What’s it doing here?”
“I don’t know.” Haun motioned Shen aside so he could lift her in his arms. Cradling her to his chest, Haun walked carefully toward the royal sleeping chambers. “Try not to move. We need to get you to the physician.”
Shen’s finger replaced Haun’s on the wound.
“Metal.”
Fen looked up, seeing An.
“Another element, and by your heart, no less,” An continued. “I’m telling you. There is something to these attacks.”
“It’s not a sign,” Fen answered. Her chest really hurt.
“A sign of what?” Lian looked up. Fen wasn’t sure if he could see An or not.
“Grandmother An thinks I’m under attack,” Fen admitted.
“What?” Shen and Haun said in unison.
“Why didn’t you say something?” Lian asked.
“Under attack by whom?” Haun demanded, quickening his pace as he carried her over the pathway.
Fen wanted to tell him that she’d be all right, that she could walk, but her legs were shaking. Even she had to admit that the elements theory was starting to look real. “We’re not sure. She thinks they’re using the elements.”
“The fire,” Lian said, “in your room.”
“Shi.” She bit her lip as they jolted her wound.
“And nearly drowning,” Shen added. “Now metal.”
“Shi,” she answered again.
“If it’s true, that means whoever is responsible is using some sort of magical or supernatural means to make his attacks happen. And it means he only has two more elements to go. Wood and earth.” Haun quickened his pace, calling out to the gardeners they passed to go get the physician at once. They instantly obeyed the order.
“Both hard to avoid,” Lian said.
“Finally, you listen to reason,” An said above them. All three brothers looked up, signifying they heard her words. “You must convince the emperor to take Fen out of the palace. She is not safe here. She needs to be hidden away for a while.”
“Where should we go?” Haun asked.
“To Jin,” An said. “Away from the suitors.”
“Surely you’re not suggesting a suitor had something to do with this?” Haun asked.
“I don’t know who,” An said. “If I did, we’d not be having this discussion. All I can say is that it’s been getting colder here in the palace.”
“What about the silk man? Piers?” Lian asked.
Fen had been concentrating on not crying out. Her eyes widened. There was no way Aaron would do this to her. Would he? She didn’t want to believe it.
“He was conveniently nearby to save her,” Lian said.
“Why does it have to be Aaron? Because he’s not noble?” Fen demanded. “And why would he save me if he wanted to harm me?”
“Has anyone threatened you?” Haun asked, studying her carefully.
She shook her head in denial.
“I think it’s that Lord Ye. He’s an odd one,” An said.
“Do you know something?” Haun asked.
An shook her head in denial.
“Then don’t make conclusions about that which you don’t know,” Haun ordered her. “We can’t go accusing anyone without proof.”
An gasped, huffing in anger at his gruff tone. The breeze stirred and she dissipated into the air, her body blowing away.
Fen coughed, closing her eyes as she rested her head against her brother’s shoulder.
“The emperor will decide what is best,” Haun said. “Let’s just concentrate on getting you mended.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Leave us.”
Fen glanced up to see her father standing in her doorway. He tugged at his long mustache, something he did when he was agitated. Her brothers didn’t move, but the physician instantly obeyed. Lian and Shen sat on the end of her bed. Haun stood next to her side.
“She’s fine,” Haun said. “Shen and Lian caught her before the scrap metal could pierce her heart.”
“I’ve been told,” the emperor said, his tone softening some. “And I am happy to see you well, daughter.”
“What is it?” Fen asked, a sick feeling in her stomach.
“Leave us,” the emperor said to his sons.
“Fen’s well-being concerns all of us,” Haun said.
“And this does not.” The emperor frowned.
Haun placed fist to palm and bowed. Fen started to reach out to him to stop him from going. All three of her brothers left the room.
The emperor looked at her for a long time once they were alone. Fen couldn’t meet his eye. Though they lived in the same palace, it was rare that they spoke. Her father was a busy man, a distant figure in her life. She loved him, respected him, would serve him and her family, but she didn’t feel close to him as she imagined most daughters felt toward their fathers. Perhaps it was the price of being daughter to an emperor.
“Are you well?” he asked, motioning toward her chest where she was stabbed.
“Shi.”
“Zhang An has told me of her thoughts. She believes you are being attacked and bids me to send you to visit Jin in the countryside.”
“She has said the same to me.”
“Do you feel the same as she does? Do you feel you are being attacked?”
“It’s hard to say.” Fen motioned lightly to the side. She honestly didn’t know.
“You’ve had no threats.” It was more of a statement than a question. “I will post guards outside these walls at night and have asked our ancestors to watch over you. I can think of no safer place for you than within the palace walls, near family and guards. Besides, we have guests that are anxious for your company. For now, you will stay here.”
Fen made a weak noise of disgust, unable to help herself.
“Hmm,” the emperor grunted thoughtfully. “The empress tells me that you seem to be taking a liking to Ye Shing.”
Fen wasn’t sure how to answer, so said nothing.
“Deng Li?” the emperor asked, not moving from his place by the door. He looked as uncomfortable in her room as she was having him there. Her father never visited her there, not since she was a very little girl about to be reprimanded for picking all the flowers in the garden and laying them on the pathways. It wasn’t bad, except she’d done it the day before visiting dignitaries from Singhai were to arrive.
“Is it so important that I favor one of them?” Fen asked. “Is there more reason to this matchmaking than I am being told?”
“It is your mother’s wish,” he said.
“I know more men arrived,” Fen said. At his mildly surprised look, she explained, “Shen.”
“Ah,” he nodded, understanding.
“It is not my wish to receive them, but I will do what I am ordered to do,” she said.
“Is there another reason your heart is closed to this?” His eyes bore into hers at the question and she found she couldn’t look away.
“No,” she said.
“Another person?”
“No,” she lied, doing her best to put Aaron from her mind. What else could she say? Proclaim her attraction to him to her father, a man who would surely not understand?
“You’re sure?”
“Shi.” Fen nodded. “I only have no wish for marriage. Mei and Jin have married, isn’t that enough to please her? Mei even gave birth to your grandson.”
“Don’t pretend to misunderstand. You know your mother’s heart as well as I. She wishes for you to remain in Muntong, to have babies where she can hold them. Can you really blame her for that?”
“And you?” Fen asked.
“I wish to see you settled with a man worthy of you. If it takes a thousand nobles, I will show them all to you. I would see you happy, with a family, Fen.”
Fen cringed inwardly. He was serious. Her father fully intended on parading nobles in front of her until she decided. The prospect of spending years upon years receiving noble guests rolled out in front of her like a bad dream. “And if I don’t wish to marry a nobleman?”
“You are a princess, Fen,” he said. “You have been raised as a lady. Only a nobleman will know how to cultivate your mind. Trust me when I tell you, any other, those less worthy, will lose their appeal soon after the wedding. The people of Lintian expect more of you. They look to you for a sense of right. We are the gods they can see.”
“But Mei—”
“Married a foreign prince, a man whose warrior race make for logical allies in these troubled intergalactic times. What she learns in space may someday save our planet. Besides, she sends back information and downloads for our libraries, in case we ever have to deal with aliens. It’s not pleasant business, but it is necessary.”
“And Jin?” she asked, knowing her father merely spun the events of Mei’s marriage for the sake of the people. That’s what the commoners believed.
“Married a historian, a woman with unique knowledge of our people’s past,” he said. “And it was willed by the gods. We had no choice in the matter. It had to be.”
Francesca knew the truth behind the whole Wushu Uprisings, a war that had nearly ended their whole way of life a long time ago. She also practiced the outlawed form of Wushu—a fact few commoners would know.
“What of my brothers?” As soon as she said it, she felt bad. She didn’t wish her fate on them. She wanted them to get married in their own time, when they wanted, to whom they wanted.
“Their time will come,” he said. “But now is your time.”
“Can’t the gods will something for me?” Fen asked.
The emperor gave the faintest smile. “And who would they will? I thought you said there was no one to take your interest from the noble suitors.”
Caught in her lie, she said, “There isn’t. I just would prefer the choice.”
“And so you have it—within reason.” He still hadn’t moved, save for his hand on his long mustache. “I cannot have three of my children so wildly wed. There must be some order to it. The people need a ceremony. They need to see that we are still in control of our emotions and our urges. We are not peasants running around the countryside. Hate it as you might, we have an image to uphold. If that image falls, so does the people’s faith in our decisions. I will not give Emperor Song reason to attack.”
“Attack?” Fen gasped.
“I was speaking figuratively,” he said. “There is no reason for alarm.”
Fen wasn’t so sure. Was there more of a threat than she was being told?
“Promise me that you will act with your family in mind,” he said.
Fen nodded. How could she not?
“Then you will make me very happy.” The emperor crossed to her. She stiffened. He lifted his hand, patted her shoulder and then left.
Once she was alone, she whispered, “An? An, are you there?”
It took a moment, but the spirit finally showed herself.
“An, please, you have to tell me. Did you say anything about Aaron to the emperor?” Fen sat up on the bed, reaching as if she could grab the spirit’s hands. Her fingers fell through An’s body.
“I only told him of the threat. I said nothing of your lover.” An looked upset, but Fen didn’t have time to deal with her temperamental ancestor right now. No doubt the empress had made her mad again.
Fen sighed in relief. “Please, you have to help me. I need to see Aaron. Do you know where he is?”
“He’s in the hall, hanging new silk tapestries. Your mother keeps him busy.” An floated down, so it looked as if she sat on the bed.
“I have to see him,” Fen said. “I need to see him.”
“I would’ve imagined your father told you not to,” An said. When Fen started to ask why she’d think that, she added, “I didn’t tell him anything, but by the look on your face, he somehow suspects.”
“He didn’t specifically say not to see him,” Fen said.
“What did he say?”
“He only made me promise to act with my family in mind.” Fen knew she was stretching the meaning of her father’s words, but she had to see Aaron. She needed to touch him and hold him. In truth, the unknown attacks terrified her. Were they attacks? Or was she just unlucky lately? Aaron made her feel safe, and she had a feeling that her time with him was coming to an end. So help her, she wanted every moment, every kiss, every stolen touch.
“You cannot go to Péng You Hall. It is too early yet in the day.” An closed her eyes, sighing long and loud.
“He cannot come here,” Fen said.
“I agree.” An opened her eyes. “How about the library? Only your ancestors use it. I can easily clear them from the building.”
“How?” Fen asked.
An just grinned and refused to answer.
“What about the keeper?” Fen asked.
“He’s not at his post. He sleeps off the effects of drink under one of the Enchanted River bridges.”
“All right.” Fen nodded, suddenly feeling very happy. “The library. But how…?”
“He’ll be compelled,” An assured her. “I’ll tell the empress she’d better not have him measure for new tapestries in there. She’ll send him straightaway just to annoy me. Now start walking.”
Fen got off the bed and said, “Thank you, An. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you doing this for me.”
“I was alive once, too,” An said, by way of an answer. “Now go. Hurry. And don’t let anyone see you.”
Fen nodded, moving to leave.
“Wait,” An said, wrinkling her nose. “On second thought, you’d better change your gown. That one is stained with blood.”
Fen looked at her chest. Her skin was healed, thanks to the medic’s laser, but there was indeed still blood on her gown. She nodded, not even caring that she’d had an accident only hours before. The promise of seeing Aaron was powerful enough to cure any fear she might feel.
“The pink one,” An ordered, “with the red butterflies. Wear that one.”
Fen instantly ran to her wardrobe, placing her hand on the wall to open the hidden compartment that held her gowns. The library was on the other side of the palace grounds, near the front gate. Her hands shook in giddy excitement as she quickly undressed to put on the new gown.
Chapter Seventeen
Aaron slowly walked to the palace library. He knew he should be glad that the empress was suddenly finding more work for him to do, when only moments before she’d indicated that they were nearly done with his services. It meant he’d have more time at the palace, more time with Fen.
The palace technically had hundreds of buildings, though some appeared to be joined, and he had to stop and ask for directions once he made it to the front section of the compound. The library was set apart from the rest of the palace, hidden in the corner in a private square. The ground was tiled with concrete blocks, forming a giant dragon out of the stone. Four-tiered terraces, ornately decorated with carved figures and tile work and lined with rows of steps, held the three buildings surrounding the square. The largest was the library itself, situated in the middle.
