“You talk as if she’s a frog,” said Megari. “Just because she can’t speak doesn’t mean she can’t understand you, you know.”
“Megari,” said Lady Bushian severely.
“She’sthe one being rude, not me.”
Zairena’s dark eyes filled with regret. “You must forgive my outburst. My concern for Takkan’s recovery has me out of sorts.” She smiled so sweetly I bit my cup’s porcelain lip, wishing she would choke on a bone.
“What I meant was—perhaps it would be more comfortable for Lina to remain with the servants. That is, after all, what she is used to.”
Is it?I met her gaze evenly.I wouldn’t know, given that I’ve been sleeping among barrels of dead fish.
There was a threat behind Zairena’s words. I knew she was expecting me to refuse Takkan’s offer. Any proper servant would have bowed and graciously uttered that it was reward enough to sit at breakfast with her superiors.
But I wasn’t their servant. And I certainly wasn’t scared of Zairena.
“There’s a room near me,” Megari volunteered. “Warmest in the castle.”
That was all I needed to convince me. I didn’t want to be a guest in the castle. Didn’t want to have to attend meals and have my comings and goings observed and analyzed. Didn’t want to be any closer to Takkan than I already was. But after a week in the fish cellar, I’d have happily curled up in a bed of glowing coals if it meant a night without freezing my fingers off. I gave a nod.
Then, completely aware that Zairena was watching with a scowl, I reached for one of the persimmons in the center of the table and took a long, satisfied bite.
My new room was around the corner from Megari’s, decorated with porcelain pillows covered with sheaths of blue and green silk, a writing desk carved of fir, and a hanging scroll of pressed gingko leaves. There was a circular window too, overlooking a vista of Rabbit Mountain, famous for its two peaks resembling a rabbit’s ears when covered in snow. It felt like a luxury to stretch my arms without hitting a wall and to breathe without wanting to vomit from the smell of fish. Best of all, there were no rats.
Had I ever slept in a chamber as large as this? The life I had once lived—with three chambers for my personal use and an entire room simply for storing my robes—felt like a distant dream.
Aren’t you glad you stayed?Kiki asked.Imagine having to go back to that drafty cellar. Or your brothers’ cave.
It is nice,I allowed.
Generous of Radish Boy. I’m starting to like him already.
I twisted my lips at her.You’re a fickle one. I seem to recall someone who didn’t want me to waste my time brewing soup for him.
Kiki sank into a cushion, lounging against the soft silk.How was I to know he was such a generous soul? Maybe you ought to have married him after all.
It’s not generosity,I thought stiffly.I saved his life. He’s showing his gratitude. I would’ve done the same in his position.
Would you, now? Would you have given yourself a silver makan, too? I can’t see you rewarding a robber, Shiori.
He felt sorry for me. That’s why he gave me money.
Suit yourself. All I’m saying is, he doesn’t seem quite like the barbarian you pictured.
I ignored her, stowing my satchel under the bed, then searching the cupboards. In them was an array of robes a servant must have selected while I’d been at breakfast. I found a simple navy dress and an earthy green sash that fit nicely.
It was the softest, cleanest material I had worn in months, and after I changed, I untangled the knots out of my hair and wilted onto the nearest chair. I would have fallen asleep right away if a slender writing brush on the desk hadn’t caught myeye.
There were ink sticks too, and a stone for grinding and mixing them into liquid, but, curiously, no paper. Disappointing, but perhaps it was for the best. After what happened in Megari’s chamber, I knew better than to try and write for help.
Someone’s silhouette appeared on the other side of my doors’ paper panels. Once I saw who it was, I bolted up and started to bow.
“No bowing,” said Takkan. “Please.”
Some color had returned to his cheeks since breakfast, but he smelled of medicine—of gingko and ginger and orange peel.
He walked inside slowly. “I warn you, Megari will be sneaking into your room often.”
I rubbed my hands.Because it’s warm?
