Page 35 of Drawn into Oblivion

“I’m full but thank you,” she said with a small sigh of satisfaction. Her cheeks were rosy from the subtle heat in the room and the meal she had eaten. Rosuke glanced at his half-empty tray and realized he no longer had an appetite.

“Was there ever an empress who went on a campaign into Oblivion while you were at the old court?” she asked, leaning on her elbows and cradling her face in her palms.

She looked so beautiful and so at ease, and the urge to lean over the table and kiss her ambushed him. He had to lower his gaze before he could answer with a clear head.

“There have been nine campaigns in recorded history. Well, when we had one,” he amended, thinking of the court library and its scant remains.

“Only nine?” she gasped. She dropped her arms onto the table, rattling the dishes. “But I thought this war had been going on for millennia. How could there be so few?”

He was silent for a moment as he considered his response. “It started with the first empress, who slayed the Damned One’s champion and earned her right to enter his domain. Empress Suzu had birthed three children, and her eldest was ten when she and her army passed through the gate into Oblivion.”

“What happened?”

“Of the empress’s three-thousand-man army, only about a dozen returned.”

She sat back in shock. “Divine One have mercy.”

“The empress lost her life in Oblivion, which means her soul is trapped there.”

“Empress Suzu,” she whispered. “That’s terrible.”

“The eldest daughter ascended to the throne. When she was of age and had produced two children, she also tried to earn her right to enter the Damned One’s domain, but his champion killed her while she was traveling. That champion was defeated by the Divine One.

“The third empress refused her duty. When she learned her grandmother’s soul was trapped in Oblivion, she swore never to set foot outside the palace walls. As far as history knows, she didn’t. But she bore a daughter, and the people hoped the next empress would end the war.”

“She didn’t, did she?” Mai guessed, seeing where his story was headed. Rosuke nodded and adjusted his position to rest his arm on his knee.

“In the entire reign of the Dark Court before the Blondie Uprising, only ten empresses attempted to fulfill their duties. One was killed by the Damned One’s champion. Nine more succeeded in leading their armies into Oblivion, but none survived their campaigns. And with every attempt, almost all of the empress’s force was obliterated. What we do know of Oblivion and the demons who defend it are from those survivors, some of whom were barely coherent for many years after returning.”

She gulped. “And we’re going there.”

All the air left his lungs. “We?” He leaned over the table and took her hand. “You intend to join Shumei in her campaign? Why would you do that?”

Alarmed by his panic, Mai tried to pull her fingers from his grasp. He held on tight. “Why? I am part of the court. I never miss combat practice, and I train almost daily. Mostly, I just want to fight for the empress. What’s more, the Divine One himself bid me to protect Shumei.”

“House elders historically never joined the empress in a campaign. They had too many responsibilities to risk being slaughtered,” he said, hastily leaving his chair. He knelt next to her, still firmly gripping her hand. “I thought you trained with Vallen in order to defend yourself should any demons come upon you, not so you could go meet them in battle.”

“But you’re going. Why should I not go?” she said, brows furrowed with indignation.

“Of the largest army ever taken into Oblivion—nearly five thousand men under Empress Shizuka—barely a hundred returned. This campaign, however necessary, is paramount to suicide. I do not want that fate for you.”

“Do you think I want that fate for you?” She jerked her hand out of his grip and stood. “Why do you woo me if you believe you’ll die in Oblivion?”

Rosuke stood as well. “I want you to live to old age. You should have the kind of happiness and fulfillment that was denied you when the blondies were in control. I have already lived more than a human was meant to.”

“And why was that, hmm? Why won’t you tell me what happened to you?”

He backed up a step. “You would hate me if I told you.”

“But the Rosuke I know is someone with honor who has earned the respect of his peers. Why would I hate you for something you did literally three centuries ago?”

Though he wasn’t looking directly at her, she saw the grimace that tightened his features. Apparently, the story was much more complicated than she’d have guessed.

“I can’t and won’t disobey the Divine One,” she said.

“Then let me make a vow,” he said, meeting her eyes. “I shall guard you when we pass into Oblivion, even if it means sacrificing my life.”

“Rosuke,” she stuttered in disbelief. He couldn’t be serious.