Page 33 of The Cinders

Daiyu explained in a lowered voice the evening’s events, and as Xian sat hunched upon his stool, he saw the look of horror on the man’s face.

‘Why would they do such a thing?’

Whatever answer his daughter whispered had the herbalist grinding his jaw, his red cheeks highlighted by the light of the many lanterns that lit a room filled with drying and freshly cut herbs; bundles hung from hooks set into the wooden beams.

‘Give me what you have for this melancholy.’Xian spoke with the same coldness that filled him.‘Hurry now.I have preparations to make for the journey tomorrow.’

Daiyu cast him a concerned look, but her father shook his head.‘It is better, when a loss is great, to weather the storm it creates.’

Xian’s numbed body came to life, a sudden overwhelming fury grabbing him.‘Give me what you have, or I shall see that the marchioness learns you defied her.You will both be banished from Kunming before morning, and no noble in the city will take you on.’

‘Your Highness,’ Daiyu cried.‘The prince is in pain, bàba .He does not know what he says.’

Her father patted her shoulder before he moved to Xian’s side, taking another stool to sit beside him.‘Prince Xian, I am so very sorry for the loss you have endured this night.I will help you, I did not intend otherwise.But know that the tincture I give you will only mask your pain for a short while.Grief is no easy daemon to run from.’

Xian turned his head, staring at the blackened pot that hung over glowing embers in the fireplace.‘Do not lecture me, Master Liang.Or do you forget I am a prince of the Son of Heaven?’He never lauded his birthright.The words tasted as bitter as the waft of whatever boiled in the pot.‘I need to be ready to travel tomorrow.If I am not, the fault lies with you.’

His words were appalling, but so was his pain.

The journey to Manhao seemed heaven-sent now.An escape from this place of torment.

What a fool he’d been to imagine that if he kept to himself quiet enough, if he obeyed orders as they came, that he might live here unscathed.The time spent with the shoemaker had been a wonderful dream, and Mercy’s death a violent awakening.Maybe those who whispered of his bad fortune were right after all.

‘Be quick about it, man.’He spoke with a fierceness he never thought to call his own.‘Do you dawdle when the marchioness calls on you?’

‘No, your highness.’

‘Then don’t you dare do so with me.Bring the tincture to me now.’

‘Of course, your highness.’

Daiyu watched him; despair and disbelief chasing themselves in her expression.Good.Let his manner repulse her; it was better she felt no compulsion to aid him.Distance from the Cursed Prince meant safety.

‘This tincture should be taken carefully, and only for a few days.It shall bring you unnatural happiness, and you will crave its taste should you take it for too long.Do not be fooled by the illusion that you are healed.’

‘Are you calling me a fool?’Xian rose to his feet, the world spinning, but he held his ground.‘How dare you speak to me in such a way.’

‘Forgive me, your highness.I think only of your well-being.’

‘Liar,’ Xian shouted.

When her father flinched, Daiyu stepped between them, glowering.

‘That is enough, Xian.’

But he tingled with rage, and did not wish to lose the balm of its eviscerating presence.‘Leave us, now.I tire of your company.’Xian glared at her; the only other living being he’d thought of as a friend.

‘It is alright, Daiyu.I shall treat the prince now.You should go, so he does not become more distressed.’

Was it possible to be more so?Xian felt the cracks in him grow larger, the spinning of the room nauseating.

‘Very well, if that is what you wish, your highness.’Daiyu hesitated, thinking him pliable perhaps.But he was made of stone now.

She bowed and left him.

The tears marched to the back of Xian’s eyes once more, pressing their spear tips there.

‘Get on with it.’He hissed.