Naamah's Kiss - Jacqueline Carey [196]
"Master…" I began.
He silenced me with a look. "Your gods placed you in my care and brought you here, Moirin. I do not know how your destiny accords with mine. I only know that it does. Will you heed it or not?"
My diadh-anam sang.
I sighed, too. "Aye, Master Lo."
The commander glowered underneath his bushy brows. Messengers ran to and fro, conferring. In the end, we were all admitted to the Celestial City, passing through the inner gates and stepping over the tall lintel.
"Meant to keep demons out," Bao informed me. "Don't step on it! Nothing but bad luck if you do."
"It didn't do such a good job, did it?" I muttered.
He shrugged. "Maybe not."
Inside the inner gates, there was another courtyard, a vast expanse filled with guards and attendants. And then another moat with five bridges traversing a narrow river. We crossed a bridge and passed through yet another gate, stepping carefully over the high lintel.
Another courtyard, this one housing a pavilion.
And the Son of Heaven.
So the Ch'in reckon their Emperor, and there is a special obeisance accorded him, performed on hands and knees. Despite his purported hundred and seventy years, Master Lo performed it gracefully, kneeling before the throne and touching his brow to the ground three times. Along with Bao and the general and his men, I followed suit, sinking to my knees and humbling myself.
"Old friend." Emperor Zhu's voice was heavy. I peered at him beneath my lashes. A man, only a man. Tall for his folk, with a warrior's mien, but a sorrowful, defeated aspect. He wore robes of yellow silk, embroidered with scarlet dragons. It looked well on him. Coiled dragons rode the columns that surrounded his throne, their claws reaching for the skies. A flat-topped crown sat atop the Emperor's head, dripping with strings of beaded gems. "My old, old friend. You have come at last."
Master Lo rose and straightened. When he spoke, his voice was infinitely gentle. "Yes, Celestial Majesty. You sent for me. I am here."
I felt the Emperor's gaze descend on me, weigh me, and dismiss me. "Will you see her?" he asked Master Lo. "Will you see my daughter?"
Master Lo bowed. "I will."
* * *
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
Snow Tiger. Xue Hu, in Ch'in.
My skin prickled as we made our way through the endless labyrinth of the Celestial City, trailing a long line of attendants, two of them carrying a tall standing mirror that Master Lo had requested, veiled in silk. There was some question as to whether or not Bao was to be admitted to the women's quarters, where men were not allowed, but once more Master Lo insisted and prevailed.
"What about them?" I asked in confusion, indicating the attendants.
"Them?" Bao glanced. "They have been cut."
"Cut?" I echoed.
He made a slicing motion toward his groin. "Not full men anymore. Serving in the palace is one path toward power," he said thoughtfully. "Not one I would choose."
I swallowed hard. "Gods, no!"
At last we entered a small inner courtyard where gnarled trees grew amid curious limestone rocks. It was a pretty place—or at least it would have been if it were not partitioned by a wall of iron bars, the cage extending into the living quarters beyond.
"Noble Daughter!" The Emperor's voice cracked as he summoned her. He cleared his throat and collected himself. "Master Lo Feng has come to see you!"
She emerged.
Beside me, Bao drew in a long, hissing breath.
Hearing tales of the daughter raised as a prince, I had expected a more imposing figure—but no. Snow Tiger was as delicate as a flower, slender as a reed, and half a head shorter than me. Her natural beauty was what the women on the greatship sought to emulate with their cosmetics and painted brows.
And yet…
She wore crimson robes embroidered with exotic birds. A sash of crimson silk was bound around her eyes, the ends trailing down her back. Despite it, she walked across her enclosed courtyard with deliberate, sure-footed grace, her spine as straight as a spear, her carriage proud and unbowed. And I did not doubt, not for one heartbeat, that she was