Page 18 of The Cinders

‘What’s wrong?Do you not like to be touched, Cursed Prince?’The whisper was painful as a whip’s lash.‘That will change.’

The man slipped his fingers around the side of the veil, brushing their tips against Xian’s cheek.

‘Stop.’Little more than a frightened gasp.No wonder the man’s fingers continued their unwanted caress.

‘Stop, I said.’Louder this time, but not firmer.

‘Come now, I do you a favour.Think of this as preparation for your time in Manhao.’

‘Leave me be.’

The harsh rasp of sliding panels filled the Reception Hall.The captain stepped back so quickly he almost stumbled.

‘Stupid servant,’ he shouted.‘What purpose do you have here?’

His cry was not directed towards the door where the concealed attendant still showed no sign of herself, but to the side of the room, directly opposite to where Xian stood trapped by his own terror.

‘Ah, forgive my intrusion, nobleman…I am a stupid egg indeed.’The oppressive gloom of the room suddenly lifted as Xian recognised the voice.‘I seem to have gotten myself lost in this palatial manor, I was hoping to reach the Lady Tian’s rooms.’

Song Lim stood in the frame of the open doorway, the gardens behind him lit by the fluttering of torches.He held a box cradled beneath one arm, his clothing changed to a more formal grey changsan with pale green edging, the oil in his hair catching the light.

Xian exhaled, the knots in his belly slackening.His body returned to life; the blood finally finding its way into his limbs.He took a step away from the captain.

‘What business do you have with the lady?’the captain demanded.

‘I’m not sure that is any ofyourbusiness, sir.But she sent word she has urgent need of comfortable shoes for the long evening ahead.Can I say, there is room for improvement with yours as well.’

The captain swelled like a toadfish poked.‘Do you know who you speak to, merchant?’

‘No.Should I?’

Now, a few of those knots wound again in Xian’s chest, as the captain took several threatening steps towards Song Lim.

‘Chuntao,’ Xian called out to the attendant, who appeared like a ghost from her hiding place.

‘Yes, your highness?’

‘Captain Duan is ready to be taken to the Dining Hall now, if you please.I fear I have occupied far too much of his time already.And I am remiss in tending to the shrine as Her Grace requested.’He bent into a shallow bow, his heart a hummingbird beneath his ribs, but now it came from a foreign sense of exhilaration, rather than gripping fear.‘And Master Song, you are best to take that hallway, through there.’He pointed in the opposite direction to where the captain would travel, and entirely opposite to where Lady Tian’s actual rooms were.

If he judged this situation correctly, Song Lim had no business with Xian’ssisterat this hour.

The shoemaker met Xian’s gaze; warmth replacing the deep scowl he’d been sending the captain’s way.‘Thank you, your highness.’

‘I know Her Ladyship is well pleased with your work,’ Xian said.‘And will be very grateful you rescued her from a difficult situation.Thank you, for your attentiveness.’

Lim bowed his head, but his eyes did not leave Xian.‘Of course, Your Highness.’

Xian didn’t need to use the garden entrance where Song Lim stood.The shrine lay to the east.In truth, he should join the captain, who would head in the same direction to reach the feast, but Xian would have walked a hundred extra miles to avoid this man’s company.

Praying his legs would support him, Xian walked past the shoemaker, who bowed only half as deeply as decorum dictated, allowing him to watch Xian as he approached.

‘Good evening, your highness.’

‘Good evening.’

Xian stepped outside, where the air held the sharp crispness of a January evening.

He stepped down onto the pebbled pathway, toying with the repaired hem on the sleeve of his overcoat.