Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin

Author:Jeannie Lin [Lin, Jeannie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9780373296149
Google: coeyuQAACAAJ
Amazon: 0373296142
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-10-01T21:00:00+00:00

A cry rang through her apartments, announcing the arrival of the Empress. Ailey ignored it and continued searching through her closets and drawers. She even rifled through the embroidered pillows in the sitting room, tossing them aside impatiently.

‘Where are my swords?’ Ailey demanded, mistaking her mother for a servant when she appeared at the door.

Mother looked on with measured patience. ‘I had them placed in the armoury with the other weapons.’

‘Those swords were forged specifically for the length of my arms. No one else would use them.’

‘You sound like a child looking for a lost toy.’

Ailey scowled and dropped herself down onto the chaise. Mother sat down beside her.

‘You smuggled your swords into the wedding sedan,’ Mother said evenly. ‘You intended to run away from your marriage from the beginning.’

Nothing could be further from the truth. Father’s ascension to the throne had uprooted their family from Longyou and thrust them into the crowded imperial city. Then, before she could settle into this new home, she was betrothed to a stranger. The marriage traditions centred on her family giving her up, losing all claim to her as daughter. She had been sent away with trunks packed with newly made clothing. From that point forwards, she would have nothing but what her husband provided for her. She had needed something that belonged to her, some reminder of home.

‘Your daughter would never bring shame upon our family,’ Ailey insisted, but she thought of Ryam. She wanted him so much it hurt inside.

She hadn’t been thinking of her family honour when she was with him, but she had hidden that desire away. She had done what was expected of her.

Mother continued, not truly listening. ‘Perhaps I did not do enough as a mother. After raising five sons, I overlooked what a daughter needed. You looked so scared on the day you left.’

‘I was not scared.’

‘You were pale. A bride is always nervous.’

Of course Ailey had been nervous. She was marrying a man known for being cold and merciless. Mother had sent her off with carefully worded, yet frustratingly vague instructions on what to expect in the marriage bed. Ailey shifted in her seat. This conversation was beginning to feel just as uncomfortable.

‘A woman can never be assured until she meets her husband,’ Mother counselled. ‘I knew from the moment I saw your father that we would have a happy life together.’

‘That was Mother’s wedding night?’

‘Of course.’

Ailey frowned. ‘What if I look at my husband for the first time and know that he’s wrong for me?’

Mother touched her hand gently. ‘Your father and I would never make such a poor choice. You have always been a dutiful daughter.’

Ailey had believed that once. She had trusted her parents completely, no matter what they did. Now when she pictured bedrooms and wedding nights, all she could imagine was Ryam and the feel of his arms around her. Not this faceless man her parents wanted to give her to.

‘Father knows I am right about Li Tao. I cannot marry his enemy.

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