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Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Hisashi ~ 4 days later.
“The first flutterof her lids was two hours ago,” I say to my brother and cousin standing like sentries in my freshly cleaned bedroom. I hesitated to bring her back here where the poisoning took place then decided we aren’t cowards, and we will face this together.
“I sent Aiko’s family her pension and handled the cremation and the memorial service as you requested,” Kiyoshi says in disapproving tones.
“Always so ruthless, brother,” I chide him uncaring he’s just performed a task that would have fallen to me.
“If this is what love does to a man than I want no part of it.” Kiyoshi scans the room with a critical eye his eye landing on the color purple as if it offends him personally.
“The emotion stops with her — and Kana.” I turn back to her sleeping form.
A low chuckle from my cousin has me turning back to them. “You realize you were not included?”
Kiyoshi’s eyes narrow on the man who looks uncannily like him. “Nor you or did you miss that?”
Akchiro shrugs. “I’m the same way and so are you despite what you have said, they are different.” His gaze takes on a faraway look. Uncomfortable knowing the challenges he’s having in his marriage I ask, “What would you have done?”
His face turns glacial. “Buried them all, the entire family except maybe for the daughter’s baby.”
Kiyoshi’s nodding lets me know I am by far not the most bloodthirsty of the lot despite my monster.
“Guardian, motherfucker,” Herages.
Monster.
“Bitch,” Hehisses.He’sbeen beside himself since we found her.
“The ultimate responsibility lies with the one who sent her.” My low response has both men nodding.
“Hisashi.” The soft crack of her voice has me spinning wildly in her direction.
“Little dove,” I say, rushing over to her side.
“We are glad you are better, little sister.” Kiyoshi and Akchiro bow deeply in respect before leaving us alone.
Pouring her a glass of water, I hand it to her. “Just sip it. We’ve been putting ice chips on your tongue for the last three days.” I don’t tell of the first twenty-four hours of sheer hell watching her thrash and fight which the healer said was a good sign, though she was delirious.
At one point I broke and just got in the bed and held her.
“You came back,” she said, her eyes bright with fever then we both slept for hours.
“Day two we started an IV to keep you hydrated. I drew the line at a feeding tube but gave you little sips of broth.” Lookingat her body beneath the covers I almost hesitate to add, “Day two you started bleeding badly like the last time but it’s too early to tell. I preserved a sample if you want to find out.”
Pressing her hand to her lips, her eyes fill with tears, but she shakes her head, “No’.
“I’m so sorry, little dove, so sorry for all this.” I pull her into my arms, trying to be careful of her IV. I hold her.
In the minutes that follow I hold her telling her what happened the night I left her, telling her Aiko’s part and my mother’s treachery.
“Hisashi, no.” She pulls back then her eyes go wide giving me enough warning to turn just in time to face my attacker.
Within seconds I disarm him of the blade turning it on him plunging the ceremonial dagger in Hiru’s chest.
“Why?” I demand, watching as blood bubbles up from his lips.
