Naamah's Kiss - Jacqueline Carey [217]
"Is she here?" one called. "Is the Noble Princess here?"
"She's here!" Ten Tigers Dai called in eager reply.
"They should see me as I am," Snow Tiger said decisively, untying the sash on the oversized green robe and shrugging out of it. "It is the daughter of the Son of Heaven they have agreed to aid, not this Lady Chan Song. Is it safe here?"
I peered out the window again. "I think so, yes."
She set aside the veiled hat, closing her eyes tight and tying her crimson scarf over them. "Then let me meet my unlikely heroes."
They cheered boisterously when she exited the carriage—cheered, and then fell silent and knelt in awe. I did not blame them. Slender and upright, crimson-robed and blindfolded, her scabbard clenched in her right fist, the princess was a picture from a story.
I hoped it would be a happy story.
I watched the men's rapt faces as they fell in love with her, one by one.
"Gentlemen." The princess inclined her head to them, the trailing ends of her blindfold swaying. "I am in your debt," she said simply. "And all I can say is thank you."
They cheered again.
"Moirin." She reached out with her free hand. "Forgive me, but the terrain is unfamiliar."
I settled her hand on my sleeve. "I am here."
* * *
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
Bao and Master Lo were late in arriving. It was an anxious, uncomfortable time. Everyone was restless and uneasy. The stick-fighters remained awestruck by Snow Tiger's presence, rendered tongue-tied and uncertain, stumbling over themselves.
Despite her regal demeanor, the princess was nervous. I daresay the men couldn't tell, but I'd come to know her well enough that I could; and too, I could sense the restlessness it engendered in the dragon.
Soon? he asked me for the tenth time.
"Soon," I assured him, hoping it was true. What in the name of all the gods we would do if Master Lo and Bao didn't arrive, I couldn't say. The prospect filled me with quiet dread. I did my best to contain it, but as the hours wore onward, I was hard-pressed to maintain a semblance of calm. When at last the door opened to admit them, a cry of relief escaped me.
Beneath the broad brim of a woven straw hat, Bao's eyes gleamed. "Did you think we would not come?"
"I was afraid," I admitted.
He slid one arm around my waist, stroking my hair with his other hand. I pressed my face against his neck, inhaling the faint forge and metal scent of his skin. "I would not let that happen, Moirin."
It was as close as Bao had ever come to a declaration of love. My heart leapt unexpectedly and I glanced up at him. He gave me a faint, wry smile I very much wanted to kiss.
"He does not like that." The princess' voice was stiff. I turned to see her on her feet, her blindfolded face turned toward us. The dragon roiled unhappily inside her. "Not at all."
"Noble Princess—" Bao released me and began to kneel.
"No." She put out one hand. "Do not address me so. I ask only that you restrain yourselves." A little shudder ran though her. "I do not mean to impose on you, but it will make it easier for all of us if you do not disturb him."
"They shall, my lady." Master Lo Feng removed the rough-spun garment he wore over his scholar's robes. He gave Bao and me a warning glance, then swept the room with it to include the other fighters. "All of them shall. We leave this place as monks on the Path of Dharma, sworn to celibacy. From this moment forward, you will view no woman as an object of desire, but as treasured sisters to revere. Is that clear?"
The men mumbled agreement, a couple of them blushing to hear such words spoken in the presence of the princess.
The dragon settled.
"Very good." Master Lo folded his hands in his sleeves. "It is late. I fear we were unavoidably delayed, but all is well."
"The innkeeper's wife had many ailments she wished to discuss with Master Lo," Bao murmured to me. "Many, many ailments. It was a long time before we were able