Ibuki by Kathryn Sommerlot

Author:Kathryn Sommerlot [Sommerlot, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: NineStar Press, lgbt, lesbian, Fantasy, cleric/priestess, magic users, abduction, Royalty
Publisher: NineStar Press, LLC
Published: 2018-08-14T22:00:00+00:00

THE EMPEROR’S CIRCLE took two days to begin the preliminary planning for the tercentennial festivities, and Chiasa’s father didn’t return home even to sleep until well after the eve of the second day had arrived. It was difficult to wait without information. Chiasa had trouble concentrating, and her mind would skip between fears with little warning. While weeding the gardens, she was caught up in how Namika’s skin felt beneath her own, and the next second, she was overcome with panic the emperor would come for her under the cover of night and, without a word, steal her away for the ritual.

That night, she was unable to sleep, even before her father returned, and once he did, she knew any chance of it was gone. She rushed to meet him at the front door, heedless of her hair’s state of disarray and the wild panic that must have been obvious on her face.

“Chiasa, you are not asleep?” he said, but the smile betrayed his true feelings. “Have you been waiting up for me this whole time? You haven't done that since you were a child.”

“What did you decide during your time at the palace?” Chiasa asked.

Her father’s smile widened as he shut the front door behind him and knelt down on the floor near the low table. “Our planning has ensured that the anniversary celebration will be the most spectacular yet, to honor the emperor’s blessed three hundred years.”

“And?” Chiasa urged, ignoring the panic when her father mentioned the man of her nightmares.

“We will have a parade throughout the town, filled with music and dancing. And best of all, the shrines will participate as well—and all of the priests and priestesses will be part of the floats wearing masks and costumes.”

Chiasa sank to her knees as well, mirroring her father’s position on the floor. It had been too long since she’d swept inside the house, but she didn’t care how dirty her silks became. “That’s all?”

He laughed. “Chiasa, do you need more? It will be a marvelous and grand celebration, fit for a ruler sent by the gods!”

When Chiasa didn’t say anything more, her father leaned in closer.

“I am afraid the emperor startled you when he came here unannounced looking for me,” he said, gently, the apology woven through his tone.

“Yes,” Chiasa admitted.

“But he asked about you during the circle council,” he told her. “To catch the emperor’s eye is a rare thing. I’m very proud of you. You must have made a very good impression to linger in his thoughts so.”

Chiasa stared at her father. Whatever he was thinking, she couldn’t read it in his face. Either he knew about the ritual, or he didn't, but either way, his words chilled her to the bone. The emperor had asked about her, which meant she’d been right all along, and he was hoping to steal years from her life. It no longer mattered if her father was part of it or not. Her fate had been sealed the moment the emperor arrived on the ibuki shrine stairs, looking her over and deciding she was to his liking.

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