Crown Prince Yoshi - 10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“Where’s the Prince? Where is he? Where is he?” Sando shouted, his mouth covered with a cloth to ward off sand.

Frantic, he moved from one horse to another, searching. The sand settled as abruptly as it appeared. Sando stood in the middle of a circle with the black guard and Lenoth, Midori’s man, on horses around him.

“He’s gone,” Lenoth said.

“Find him!” Sando screamed. Looking at the head of the black guard, he scowled. “We are not losing him now. You know what she will do if we lose him.”

The man in dark cloths gave him the shivers, but a slight nod told him his message was clear. Despite a war, Almira would find a way to punish them if they lost Yoshi. She didn’t joke around with her son.

Sando sighed and started toward his horse. He frowned when he saw Yoshi’s white stallion behind the circle, coming toward them. Breaking the circle, he raced to Senbon, taking his reins, checking the empty saddle. Yoshi’s luggage was still in place, with the exception of his sword. Sando had made sure the Prince wore that on a belt at his waist. Touching the empty saddle, he closed his eyes and prayed to the gods to keep him safe. The Black Guard fanned out in a tight circle around him, then started walking away. Keeping the grid search tight in the now calm desert.

An hour into the search, Sando sat on his bag, watching Senbon and his horse. The black guard was in the distance, each man now separated a considerable distance. They had made no indication of finding a clue. Sando sunk his fingers into the sand, fisting a bunch then sifting it through his fingers. The sun was high, it was a little over midday. He wondered if the sandstorm hadn’t pulled the Prince, Midori and Telia under.

Sando sighed hard.

A shadow fell over him and he glanced up to find Midori’s man, Lenoth, standing over him with a sword. His gaze widened, but then Lenoth pointed to the East. Sando followed his hand and stood up when he saw two figures riding toward the guard. Three of the Black Guard broke ranks and raced toward the incoming party.

Sando watched as the two intruders were stopped by the three, and then the Black Guard abandoned their search. Converging on the intruders as they headed back to where Sando and Lenoth were.

As the intruders drew near, Sando caught his breath when he saw a white horse, and a figure in white clothing. For a moment, it seemed he was looking at the Prince, but then they got closer and disappointed filled him when he saw it was a woman atop the white horse.

“Perhaps they bring news,” Lenoth said.

“What news?” Sando asked in frustration. “We should never have allowed The Prince to come to this desert. For all we know, he is lost to us.”

“Don’t be so tragic,” Lenoth said with a smile.

“Why are you not worried?”

“Because the Prince is with my Lord General and a Furian. Surely, he is safe.”

Sando frowned, looking at the empty horses behind Lenoth. He had been too focused on Yoshi to worry about Midori and Telia too.

“Yes,” he agreed with Lenoth. “You are right.”

“I’m always right,” Lenoth said with a smirk.

“Still,” Sando returned his gaze to the incoming party. “A freak sandstorm surrounds us, and three go missing. I don’t think that bodes well for our campaign.”

Lenoth gripped his sword tighter.

“We’ll have to hope for the best, Sando. Otherwise, our reality now includes accepting Namik of Fier as a leader, and watching the Empire burn in flames.”

Sando shivered and stood just as the lack Guard reached them with the two intruders.

“Lieutenant General,” the head of the Black Guard addressed Lenoth. “We have found two who claim to know where to find the Prince.”

Lenoth took a step forward, placing Sando behind him as the guard forced the two intruders to their knees on the sand. The woman who Sando had mistook for the Prince wore white skirts, her head and face covered with a sheer white fabric trimmed with gold. She looked of high rank. Sando had spent enough time in the palace to recognize a high-born when he saw one. The man beside her was also in white, though his clothes were not as rich. Whoever they were, Sando hoped Lenoth knew what he was doing.

Lenoth’s grip on his sword was tight, betraying his anxiety, though his face looked calm.

“Who are you?” Lenoth asked.

“I am Semak of Dwind. We seek the Empire’s Prince.”

“Why?” Lenoth asked, studying the two.

“My Lady wishes to meet him.”

“Your Lady?”

“Yes.”

“And she is?” Lenoth persisted.

Sando watched the woman. Her gaze swept over the black guard, no doubt wary of their dark gazes. Frankly, Sando didn’t blame her. He too wondered how they could endure being so covered in the unrelenting heat. He met the woman’s gaze, and she startled him with a smile.

“I am Pipa of the Klud.”

Lenoth motioned the guard to let her lose.

“I apologize for the greeting, My Lady,” Lenoth said, giving her a small bow. “The Prince is missing and we are cautious.”

Pipa got to her feet, adjusting the scarf around her head.

“I understand a sandstorm appeared and the Prince was gone when it disappeared.”

“How do you know this?” Lenoth asked, his sword still in his right hand.

“We must go to Lilind’s stronghold. A son of Dwind has taken the Prince,” Pipa said.

Fear spread through Sando at the thought of the Sand Queen.

“We must hurry,” Pipa said with a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “The Matriarch will test the Prince.”

“Test him?” Sando gaped in horror.

Oh gods, the Empress would surely have his head for this one.

Who would dare test a Prince?”

“Yes,” Pipa said. “She has long waited for the chance to test the Prince’s worth. The Matriarch will insist on a Sword Gauntlet. The longer we wait, the harder it will be to pull him out.”

“What are we waiting for?” Sando started toward his horse.

Pipa chuckled at his enthusiasm, and turned to Lenoth.

“Is your Prince not good with swords?” she asked. “The way that one worries, I’m inclined to insist we hurry.”

Lenoth ignored her comment and instead gave the order to head to the Dwind Stronghold.

“I’m afraid we’re at your mercy, My Lady,” Lenoth said when they were all mounted. “Can I rely on you to lead us to Lilind’s Stronghold?”

Pipa gave Lenoth a cold glance.

“I’m as invested in seeing the Prince live as you are, Lieutenant General. We are going to ride hard. I hope you can keep up.”

Sando gripped Senbon’s reins with his own and urged his horse after Pipa, who set a hard pace heading to the west of the desert.

“Prince Yoshi,” Sando whispered under his breath. “Please don’t get hurt. I need to get you back to the Empress in one piece.”

***

The air was cold, so cool, it felt as though they were standing outside. The walls of the large round room were high and smooth, there was no way to climb and escape. Yoshi’s gaze focused on the people surrounding the mouth of the hole. He could see Midori struggling against three guards, and Telia tied up with ropes beside Midori. Their anger was apparent.

Telia’s eyes turned a deep red. An angry Furian meant once she was free, she’d jump into this pit with him and many would die.

Yoshi adjusted his grip on his sword and brought his attention to the wide round floor. Two men lay on the floor, the injuries on their arms severe. They’d both appeared to fight Yoshi, their skill with swords mediocre, he had no problem beating them. The floor on the edge of the circle shifted again, a slot opening and four men climbed into the round room.

Fit men, soldiers, Yoshi decided when he saw the gold bands on their upper arms. The bands had a seal, though he had yet to take a good look at it. They wore no vests, only white half trousers that stopped at the top of their knees. Their feet in leather sandals with strings tied up to their calves. Their eyes made him think of the precious onyx stone necklace his mother liked to wear. They had white hair and bronze skin.

Children of the sands, Yoshi thought, conscious of the fact that the four were making a circle around him.

Their blades were an assorted collection. Long and sharp for the one to his left, short daggers for the one next, the two on his right had thick wide blades. They were heavier blades too. Yoshi breathed out. They’d use the weight against him.

Midori’s angry shout from above reached him and Yoshi tensed.

His four attackers shifted closer and Yoshi decided to block out Midori and Telia’s struggle above. Closing his eyes, he called on thousands of hours spent training under Lord Hong Ma, the head of the Royal Investigative Bureau. Torturous hours, in which he had cursed Lord Hong Ma for his brutal nature, and now it seemed he was to thank the man.

Yoshi understood that this fight was not about being stronger, but fighting smarter than the opponent. They had the advantage. He was one, they were four. They were stronger, he was fast.

He was most wary of the one with the long sword.

Their attack was swift when it came, all four of them coming at him. Yoshi dropped down, using his own sword to deflect their simultaneous attack. He slipped between the strong one’s legs, leaving the circle they had tried to corner him into. They responded to his move just as fast, coming at him swords swinging, he made sure not to allow any of them at his back. Meeting their attacks one by one, running round the floor to keep it that way. Their blades were sharp. He cursed when the one with the daggers managed to cut his left upper arm.

Yoshi grabbed the right dagger, wresting it from the man, turned it quick and stuck it into the man’s thigh, deep enough to drop him to the ground with a harsh cry.

The other three didn’t give Yoshi a chance to breath, already coming at him, their intentions to kill him clear in their dark eyes. Yoshi roared and met them headlong.

***

“Damn it,” Midori cursed, struggling against the three men holding his arms behind him. “They’re going to kill him. Do you realize how important he is?”

His questions went unanswered by his guards. Telia stood still with quiet fury beside him. Her hands were tied at her back, the ropes used tight. She didn’t struggle, though the red glow in her eyes was enough indication of her anger.

“At least untie her,” Midori said, looking at the guard watching Yoshi fight off four men below. “You do not want to piss off a Furian. She’ll kill you all.”

Still no answers from their guards. Midori refused to look into the round pit. Watching Yoshi fight alone was tearing him to pieces. He wanted to rip out all these bastards throats for placing Yoshi down there. For what? Why endanger the Empire this way?

Damn it, Midori cursed when he heard Yoshi roar, a harsh cry tinged with pain.

“Stop this! Why are you doing it?” Midori demanded. “Lead me to your Lord, now!”

“So noisy,” the words were said in an amused tone behind him.

Midori started to turn but his guards gripped his arms, kicked the back of his knees and brought him down to his knees.

“No need to be so rough,” the feminine voice said.

There was a soft whisper of fabric, and the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen stood before him. Her clothes a delicate blend of white and gold. Her hair left to flow down her back. She smiled when he met her gaze.

“Thank you for delivering the Phoenix into my hands. I have waited a longtime.”

Midori sucked in air as he realized who he was looking at. Her dark eyes enough to send a chill racing through him.

This was Lilind of Dwind, the Sand Queen.

She chuckled and gave the pit a cursory glance.

“He is well trained. As expected of Almira, she made sure to break him in, but I wonder if it was enough to live through a Sword Gauntlet.”

Midori growled.

“You’re going to destroy the Empire.”

“You are not fit to judge me,” Lilind said, her tone dismissive. She flashed him another smile. “Besides, an Emperor to-be should be no weakling. If the Phoenix dies down there, then he is not the Empire’s heir.”

Her gaze moved to Telia and she gasped.

“Oh my,” Lilind clapped her hands. “What do we have here?”

Midori struggled against the strong arms holding him down.

“A Furian!” Lilind exclaimed. “An angry one at that, oh my—

Telia roared, and broke her bonds, her eyes turning a deep red, black markings spreading across her upper arms.

Lilind stepped back fast. Telia spared Midori a short glance, then she jumped up on the mouth of the wall and dropped down into the pit, landing on her feet like a cat.

“An ascending Furian,” Lilind smirked. “She must care for the Phoenix very much.”

Midori struggled against his bonds. Lilind nodded to her guards who got him to his feet. Ignoring the Sand Queen, Midori struggled to the edge of the wall to check on Yoshi.

The number of attackers had increased, exponentially. He could barely see Yoshi, in the middle of the bloody throng. Telia was at the edge of the mass of men around Yoshi. She moved fast, taking a sword from an attacker, she used it to beat a path to Yoshi. Midori gasped when she reached Yoshi, and with one touch of her hand on his left arm, the tattoo on his back glowed red.

“Almira is smarter than I thought,” Midori heard Lilind murmur. “She created a matched pair. How sly of her.”

Midori stared at Yoshi, whose back was alight in a red glow. The gold sword Yoshi carried took on the same strange red glow. Yoshi stood back to back with Telia. She’d found long thin swords, her arms banded with black stripes, her long hair turning red, to match her eyes. Her red skirts billowed around her. Power pulsed around them. Telia met Yoshi’s gaze once, he gave a nod, and they moved as one.

Their dance was deadly, their swords a blur, they cut down the enemy in fast motions, down to the last soldier. No wasted movements, their sweeps precise, three minutes, and the fight was over. Once again standing back to back in the middle of the great pit.

Yoshi looked up at the wall, and for a moment, it looked as though the Prince could see into Midori’s eyes from such a great distance.

Telia wavered, and Yoshi moved in a fast blur, lifting her into his arms. The glow around him pulsed, and he took a running leap. He landed on top of the wall, right before Lilind, Telia passed out in his arms.

The soldiers around Lilind stepped back and she was left standing in a wide circle. Yoshi stepped down from the wall, placing Telia on the sand. Yoshi’s face was streaked with blood, his arms riddled with cuts, his tunic long gone. The pants he wore were no longer white, but soaked in dark blood.

“You have done this,” Yoshi spoke looking at Lilind. “Dared to test me in a Sword Gauntlet like a fledgling. Turned me into a slayer in your pits.”

“Your Royal Highness passed with flying colors,” Lilind answered. “The Empress knew the answer to my test. She chose to ally your house with the Furian Princess.”

“A merciless, relentless lesson taught when I was ten,” Yoshi flexed his arms, the red glow pulsing around him. “A painful lesson for one so young. Her Majesty and the Furian Princess know all your secrets.”

Lilind smirked.

“You are a pair with the one at your feet, yet you love the traitor’s son.”

“You are not qualified to judge me,” Yoshi answered. He turned his sword to Midori and quickly cut off the ropes holding him prisoner.

Midori pushed off his guards, moving to stand behind Yoshi.

“I demand your allegiance,” Yoshi said to the Queen of Sands.

“You might have survived the Sword Gauntlet, but it was with help,” Lilind pointed to Telia who was at Yoshi’s feet.

“You left me no choice. I do not have time to play games.”

“This is not a game,” Lilind roared.

Yoshi stepped over Telia, to stand an inch away from Lilind. His sword still bloody, he brought it up to Lilind’s neck.

“If you do not stand with me, you’re a rogue I must bring to heel.”

“Your bloodline is full of arrogant fools.”

“Midori, take Telia,” Yoshi ordered.

“Your companions are not free,” Lilind protested.

“Worry about yourself, Sand Queen,” Yoshi said, moving forward his sword still at Lilind’s neck, forcing her to step back.

Yoshi kept walking until they stood away from the pit wall, and were now in the open desert. Lilind’s guards made a loose circle around them. Midori bent down and propped Telia into a sitting position so that she was leaning against his calves.

“Are you alright?” Midori asked, when he noticed the black marks fading away on her arms. “What’s going on? Yoshi looks like he’s about to go nuclear.”

“The Princess’s gift to the ruling Empress. It is called Unitas,” Telia said, her voice weak. “The Prince’s tattoo allows him to accept a Furian’s energy. The Princess Naria used our healers to design the tattoo in order to protect The Prince in a battle with the Sand Queen. He must expend the energy building inside him. As the Empress chose a phoenix, the end will result in a very hot fire…the Princess Naria never told me more. Only to use it when the Prince has no way out.”

Midori watched Yoshi push Lilind farther away, creating a circle wide enough to keep the fire from reaching him and Telia.

Midori started to move to follow as the Dwind soldiers surrounded Yoshi and the Sand Queen, but Telia grabbed his trousers.

“Trust him. The Prince is Her Majesty’s heir, Midori. The House of Taimeng has more to it than meets the eye.”

Midori crouched down beside Telia, conscious of Lilind’s army passing them in an attempt to keep a circle around their queen. He caught glimpses of Yoshi who still walked, his upper body glowing red.

***

“Fight me,” Yoshi ordered Lilind, wild fire coursing through his veins, unabridged power soared in his brain.

“Are you sure you’re up for it?” Lilind asked, her black gaze cold.

“You have a score to settle.” Yoshi read the anger deep inside the Sand Queen. “Here I am.”

Lilind flexed her muscles, her right hand swift as she drew the sword hidden under her skirts. Yoshi jumped back fast, lifting his own sword in a swift sweep to parry her blade. She was vicious in her attack, coming at him fast, each step designed to make him lose his footing then she’d stick her sword into his flesh. Her angry attack allowed him to vent his own frustration.

How dare Lilind force Telia to ignite him. How dare she make him use a training he’d vowed never to use.

Unitas was deadly magic carved by the Furian Princess. The first time he ever tried it, he burned a ten-mile radius circle in the Imperial Lands. Any wild animals caught in the blaze turned to ash. He’d assumed it was because he was using the Princess Naria’s energy. But it felt even more deadly now, the fire burning inside him too hot…raging...

Unitas had only ever worked with the Princess Naria when he was very young, but for Telia to ignite him…his mother’s machinations became clearer.

No wonder she’d nurtured a friendship with the Furian Princess. He had wondered why they would send Telia after him on the day Namik tried to kill him. His mother’s agenda was so clear: smart and very devious.

Almira Taimeng truly lived and cared only for the Empire.

“Focus,” Lilind demanded when she almost cut into his left arm. “Your mind is elsewhere.”

“I’m right here.”

“No, you worry about your mother. Worry what she thinks of your decisions. Whether you’ll ruin her plans as she’s set them into play. You do realize what you seek here is something Almira has thought.”

“Then why do you resist?”

Lilind backed off from the fight standing a respectable ten feet away, her sword held to the side in a momentary truce.

“Do you know why Namik revolts?” she asked.

“He is hungry for power.” Yoshi answered.

“That is true,” Lilind scoffed, looking around the circle her soldiers had made. “Peace time does brew the best power mongers. However, that is not the reason he seeks power.”

Yoshi paced right, and Lilind mirrored him, pacing left, keeping the ten pace distance.

“My Uncle poisons Namik,” Yoshi said. “The Prince Tailen.”

“Almira has kept a rotting apple within her court for years. She never had the balls to cut it out and throw it to the wild animals. Better yet, burn it.”

“Her Majesty believes in an empire that gives a chance to all, no matter their mistakes.”

“Chances lead to devious plots. Revolts.” Lilind scoffed. “A leader must be strong, Your Royal Highness. Ignorance creates weak links. Weakness breeds unrest.”

“The Empress Almira is strong. You will accord her the respect she deserves.”

“Spoken like a filial son.” Lilind smirked. “Her reign is not in question. Yours is, Your Royal Highness. Let’s see how strong you’re going to be if you are to dare lead my armies.”

Lilind took a step forward, and Yoshi matched it, as the truce was over. The ensuing fight took all his concentration as the Queen of Sands unleashed all her strength, leaving him no choice but to fight in earnest.

****

Sando heard the clash of swords as they crested over a sand dune and a flat valley below appeared. Two figures in the middle of ten-mile circle of soldiers fought, their blades glinting in the sun. Sando clutched Senbon’s reigns and fought back panic.

“Is that the Sword Gauntlet?” Lenoth asked Pipa Klud.

“No.” Pipa moved her horse forward, the wind whipping the scarf covering her face behind her. “That is a duel, My Lord. The Gauntlet is fought in the pits.”

Sando urged his horse forward, eager to see what could be done about saving Yoshi from a pit fight. Almira would not forgive him for this. Her precious son fighting in a pit…his life endangered…bile rose.

As they drew closer to the fierce fight, Lenoth rode ahead, and called out in excitement. Sando kept up with him and sighed in relief when he recognized Midori. Lenoth raced to the General and dismounted in a swift graceful move.

“General,” Lenoth said in excitement.

“Lenoth,” Midori looked back and saw Sando.

“The Prince is here,” Midori said, before Sando could ask. “He fights Lilind.”

Sando closed his eyes. He’d hoped the duel was being fought by some other crazy bastard. Of course, the Prince was in the middle of it. When had the man ever thought about safety? About saving him from the Empress’s wrath. Sando dismounted with a defeated sigh and Pipa chuckled.

“You are one interesting man,” she said as she got off her horse.

She smiled and walked to a wall behind the General and Telia. She gasped and placed her hand on her chest.

“May the gods save us,” she whispered, turning to look at Midori. “There was a gauntlet.”

“Yes.” Midori nodded. “The Prince—

“He knows the answer,” Pipa said in shock. “Very few do, no one person can win a gauntlet. You need help, no matter how strong.”

Sando knelt on the sand and held out the waterskin to Telia. She drank thirstily, and when she was done, she wiped a hand over her mouth and sat up with a sigh. Sando wrapped an arm around her shoulders, allowing Midori to move.

“Whose help did the Prince choose?” Pipa asked with a smile.

“Mine.” Telia pushed her hair back and looked up. Sando almost fell back when he saw her eyes. They were red, it was disconcerting.

“Sorry, they’ll return to normal soon,” Telia said.

“A Furian,” Pipa glanced at her companion and took a step back almost tipping over the wall. “We should seek cover.”

“What are you talking about?” Lenoth asked, his irritation clear. “General, allow the black guard to fight their way in. We shall help his Royal Highness—

“The Lady is right,” Midori said, his tone abrupt.

“My lord,” Lenoth said, clearly confused by Midori’s attitude.

Midori glanced at the Black Guard who stood where Pipa had moved to.

“Do as the Black Guard does, Lenoth. Trust me.”

Lenoth sighed and moved to help Sando with Telia. Midori followed, stepping up on the wall so he could get a better view of the fight. Once Telia was sitting on the wall, Sando got up on the wall beside Midori and gaped.

Yoshi was no longer the young prince he knew. No, a seasoned warrior fought the Sand Queen. The Prince was strong and fast…so fast, Sando could barely keep up. The Sand Queen gave back as good as she got. Her footwork meticulous, she was on the offensive, putting Yoshi in a constant defensive mode. Sando winced when multiple cuts appeared on Yoshi’s arms, his back, his left side.

“She deserves a flogging,” Sando hissed. “How dare she cut such a precious body.”

Midori placed a hand on Sando’s shoulder, squeezing tight.

“Can’t help it,” Sando said, closing his eyes when the Sand Queen’s sword missed Yoshi’s neck with sheer luck.

When he opened his eyes again, it was to see Yoshi’s upper body glowing a vicious red. His sword too. The Sand Queen had a sandstorm brewing around her, and when they crossed swords this time, Sando gaped.

Yoshi was stronger, his strike sent Lilind back. He didn’t stop, taking advantage of Lilind’s shock, Yoshi hammered at her with his sword, she stumbled, falling on her back. Yoshi grabbed her right hand and took her sword with a harsh cry.

“Get back,” Yoshi roared.

He took a step back from the Sand Queen, and fell on his knees, digging both swords into the sand.

“Hurry, Sand Queen.”

Lilind struggled to her feet, and in the next instant, she stood beside Sando, breathing hard.

In the distance, Yoshi let go of the swords, spread his arms out. A wave of heat rose from where he knelt, so hot Sando felt it on his face. Sando clutched Midori’s left arm, as he remembered the last time Yoshi had gone through this. Right after the Phoenix tattoo was complete. Yoshi had passed out for a week. The Princess Naria had gifted Yoshi with Senbon for having made it through this trial.

The heat got unbearable, Lilind’s army running from the circle, into the wide expanse of the desert. Sando feared they were trapped as the pit was behind them and there was no where to run. Just as Sando thought they too would burn, a wall of sand came up before them, and he turned to find Lilind’s holding up both arms. She brought the sand up into a thick high wall, and held it there for a full minute, until the heat dissipated.

Lilind brought her hands and the sand did too, falling in a thick wave that left them all dusty. Sando spat out sand, his gaze seeking the Prince.

The scorching heat was gone, and in the middle of a blackened circle, Yoshi knelt, leaning on two swords, his body covered in black soot.

Sando started to run toward him, but Midori grabbed his tunic, pulling him back.

When Sando started to protest, Midori pointed to the blackened ground.

“The sand is still too hot,” Midori said, in a harsh whisper. “We need a few more minutes.”

Sando sighed, looking at the blackened sand that seemed to be in a perfect ten-mile circle around Yoshi. Glancing at the head of the Black Guard, Sando wasn’t surprised to find the man pacing the edge of the circle as well.

“He is strong,” Lilind said behind them. “Stronger than his grandfather.”

“You will need to apologize for this,” Pipa said.

Lilind glanced up as if recognizing that she wasn’t alone for the first time. Her gaze settled on Pipa with a frown.

“Your test, however relevant has insulted the Heir of this Empire,” Pipa continued. “I will take over negotiations.”

Lilind stared at Pipa for a moment, then shrugged.

“As you wish, Pipa. However, the Royal Highness and I have one last unfinished agenda.”

“Mother,” Pipa said in protest.

“Allow this old woman one last request,” Lilind said, suddenly sounding more older than she looked.

Pipa shook her head. “You’ve done enough damage as it is.”

Lilind sighed, her gaze wistful, she looked at Yoshi who was still slumped against the two swords.

“I love that child,” Lilind said. “I promise I will not bring harm to him.”

“His Highness will have to be the one to make the decision,” Pipa said, glancing at Midori, then at Lenoth and the Black Guard. “We will wait for his people to give us his answer.”

Midori was too busy testing the sand to see how hot it was. Sando met Pipa’s gaze and gave her the nod she needed, approving the request. He would ask Yoshi, but not now.

Now they needed to find out if Yoshi would be in bed for a week.

***

Yoshi woke to the feel of cool sheets against his naked skin. A cold cloth pressed against his forehead, then gentle cool strokes on his left upper arm, then his right arm. Opening his eyes, he stared at the unfamiliar domed ceiling. Blinking once, he swallowed hard and then Midori’s face came into view. Relief flooded him.

Yoshi started to reach up to touch Midori, but then his right hand felt heavy, and painful. He groaned and closed his eyes. Aching pain slammed through him, so sharp and abrupt it brought tears to his eyes.

“You’re bruised all over,” Midori said, his voice strained. “You’ve been out for two days, give yourself time.”

Yoshi opened his eyes in surprise. “Did you say two days?”

“Yes.”

The bed shifted, and Midori was lifted him off the bed. It felt like he was floating for a moment, then Midori was walking down short steps.

Yoshi gave a soft moan when hot water wrapped around his body, stinging achy cuts, soothing sore muscles. He closed his eyes when Midori held him fast, and submerged him under the water. Midori’s lips covered his, air filling his mouth, then they both came up, and took in deep breaths. Yoshi opened his eyes, and held Midori’s gaze.

There was deep worry in those beloved dark depths. Fear, and a little anger.

Midori helped him settle on a bench built in the middle of the large bath. He closed his eyes and allowed Midori to wash him. Nimble fingers swept his hair to the side, trailed down his back, tracing the phoenix.

“Your mother scares me,” Midori said, rubbing a cloth over Yoshi’s back.

“She scares me too,” Yoshi answered.

“She did this to you, made you bare such a great burden.” Midori traced the cloth he held over Yoshi’s back. “Sando says you had to endure training with the Princess Naria. He worried you would pass out for a week as you did then. He said using a Furian’s energy wears you down. Sando says after you woke up that time, the Princess forbade more training, and thought this weapon should never be used.”

“Sando says too much to you,” Yoshi said, staring at his fingers under the water. He watched his hair float in the water. “I don’t plan on letting a Furian ignite me again. Lilind and I must talk to prevent that from happening. The Empress has an uncanny ability to plan. She has probably always known Prince Tailen would revolt against our house. As I fought Lilind, it occurred to me…”

Midori pressed a kiss on Yoshi’s right shoulder.

“What?” Midori asked, when Yoshi leaned back against him.

Yoshi smiled, and turned to face Midori. He reached up to cup Midori’s face. His thumbs rubbing the dark stubble on Midori’s jaw.

“You haven’t shaved these two days.”

Midori scowled. “Don’t change the subject, Yoshi.”

Yoshi leaned up to press a chaste kiss on Midori’s jaw.

“The Empress always thought Lilind would be the one to rebel. Thanks to my mother’s foresight, I would have ended Lilind in that fight two days ago. Instead, your father has rebelled.” Yoshi frowned. “The plans my mother made will allow me to unite the Empire, but—

“But what?”

Yoshi wrapped his arms around Midori’s waist and pressed close. He sighed when Midori held him.

“In an effort to make me strong in battle, the Empress has expelled all her assets from the palace,” Yoshi said. “Sent everyone who would help her out to help me. She is surely vulnerable now. I might save the Empire from Namik’s cruelty, Midori. But what do I do, if I can’t save my mother?”

“Yoshi.”

“She’s spent all her life thinking of the Empire.” Yoshi closed his eyes and clung to Midori. “Planning and plotting to keep me safe, the Empire strong, but what about herself. Doesn’t she realize how important she is to me? If I lose her—

“You won’t.”

Midori sunk fingers into Yoshi’s hair, using his hold to move Yoshi’s head back until their gazes met.

“You will not lose her,” Midori said.

Yoshi read promise in Midori’s gaze. Such conviction, how could he not believe Midori’s words.

“We’ll make it on time,” Midori said. “The Empress will not fall easily. Trust in that.”

Yoshi nodded, desperate in his need to believe Midori. Through the journey from Earith to the Furian Forest, and now to Dwind, he dared not imagine what the Empress was going through alone at the palace. What she endured as Namik’s army matched on the palace.

Midori leaned down and covered his mouth with a soft kiss. Yoshi clung to Midori’s shoulders, closing his eyes, allowing their heat to pull him out of the worry. Their kiss turned heated, and soon they were both breathing hard in need.

Yoshi wrapped his legs around Midori’s hips when Midori lifted him up in one strong move. Midori walked them to the edge of the bath. Midori ensured Yoshi’s back was braced against the wall of the pool. Their joining was fast, hard, Yoshi bit into Midori’s strong shoulder in a half moan. Midori slipped his hand between them to capture Yoshi’s length, stroking him into hardness. Midori stroked into him with maddening slow strokes, bringing him to the brink over and over, and leaving him shy of completion. Yoshi cried out and clung to Midori, needing…he moaned when Midori took his lips in a hot kiss, and stroked into him hard, fast…so fast, Yoshi tripped into his orgasm. He came with a loud moan, muffled into Midori’s mouth. Yoshi held on to Midori when he felt the hot heat of Midori’s seed inside him.

They stayed locked in each other’s arms, until the water got too cool. When they separated, Midori carried Yoshi out of the water again and took him back to the bed.

***

“I thought I would lose you, watching you fight in the pits. I could do nothing, Yoshi.”

Midori reclined on pillows staring at the domed ceiling.

Yoshi was beside him, clutching a pillow. His eyes closed, stretched out on his stomach, the phoenix on his back covered with his silky black hair.

“Lilind is brutal, and unrelenting,” Midori continued. “She kept me tied down and I could do nothing for you. It killed me. I was jealous of Telia when she broke free to save you. I wished I had her anger brewing inside me.”

“Do not wish for it.”

“You were strong when you fought Lilind, I was awed by the sight of you.” Midori continued as though Yoshi hadn’t spoken. “You scared me when you burned so hot, I feared they’d be nothing left of you. When you passed out and didn’t wake for two days, I begged the gods for mercy, that I may look into your honeyed eyes again.”

“Midori,” Yoshi said, his eyes still closed. “The future comes fast. There will be many frightening scenes to live through.”

Midori finger-combed Yoshi’s hair. The long strands sifted through his fingers like silk. He smiled when Yoshi finally opened his eyes and glanced at him briefly, one eyebrow raised.

“I love your hair. Will it ever be cut?”

“The palace rules state no one should cut the precious hair gifted to me by the Royal bloodline. As a result no one touches my hair other than Sando, and only to brush it or trim the edges,” Yoshi said with a smile. “Now there’s you.”

“How lucky for me. I will always get to play with your hair. How assuring.” Midori chuckled. “Sando is right, yours is such a precious body.”

Yoshi hugged his pillow, and shifted so that his gaze met Midori’s brooding one.

“Your precious body now,” Yoshi murmured.

Midori stopped finger combing his hair, bunching the soft strands.

“In the fast coming future, how long can I keep you?” Midori asked, wary of Yoshi returning back to the palace.

“As long as you want me,” Yoshi answered.

“But—,” Midori broke off, his gaze on Yoshi’s hair.

The heir to the Empire had many obligations. The House of Taimeng needed inheritors to keep it strong and in power, for generations.

Yoshi sat up, his hair falling around him like a dark cloud. The beautiful dark mass enhancing his handsome masculine features. His brown eyes narrowed and then he smiled, and Midori momentarily forgot his concerns.

“What do you know of the Royal Family?” Yoshi asked.

Midori took Yoshi’s pillow, arranged it under his head and crossed his arms against his chest.

“The Empress is the head of the family, you are sole heir, direct descendant of the Taimeng blood. The Imperial Household Council is responsible for your family’s well-being. They approve marriages, ensure the order of succession, deal with the forfeiture of Imperial status, manage the family registry—

“Okay, seems you know a lot,” Yoshi cut in with a soft chuckle. “While the Imperial Council handles my entire life, my mother has allowed me two concessions. The right to choose my consort and my heir.”

“You need to marry—

“Under my rule, as written in laws that take effect when I ascend, an heir is a child born from the blood and reared in the palace under my guidance,” Yoshi said. “Where and how I get that heir is my choice, Midori. I’m allowed one Consort, and have chosen to only have one Concubine.”

Yoshi reached out to rub the frown dancing on Midori’s forehead.

“You have thought the future out,” Midori said, after a minute of silence.

“I have been expected to since I turned twelve,” Yoshi said, his tone wistful. “I always knew I would not love a woman. In a way, I suspect the Empress knew this as well. She made me write my household laws with the help of a man older than the great big oak tree in our courtyard. She told me to find my Consort when I was ready and to choose well.”

Yoshi took Midori’s right hand squeezed strong callused fingers.

“The weight of the Empire is heavy, Midori. Being partner to one such as me, will be tiring. It was not easy for my father when he was with my mother. The Prince Consort died young because he chafed against the constraints of his position. Midori…I need my consort to help me rule, be my equal in every way possible. If you choose to take up this position by my side, you will be Emperor Consort as I will have no Prince. You will not thank me for this title, as it is not an easy position, many will want much from you.”

“I am not weak,” Midori stated, sitting up to face Yoshi.

“I know you are not,” Yoshi agreed. “You are very strong. Powerful in your own right and loyal to your people. You are a leader, and I’m envious sometimes of the way your men love you.”

“Yoshi.”

“I worry you will come to resent me in time if I keep you by my side in this way.”

Midori gaped at this confession. Yoshi worried that he would tire remaining beside an Emperor. Yoshi wanted to keep him, had even thought of ways to make it happen. His own fear that Yoshi would forget him once the war was over dissipated. Their possible future yawned wide with promise, it filled Midori with joy.

“I know what you are,” Midori said, holding Yoshi’s gaze, meaning every word. “I know, Yoshi, Emperor to-be.”

Yoshi closed his eyes.

“You might know,” Yoshi said, “but you do not understand, Midori. The grip power can have, how unrelenting the palace rules can be, how suffocating—

“We will make a sanctuary together,” Midori cut in. “No matter the politics, we will forge a future, Yoshi.”

Yoshi breathed out and opened his eyes. They sat in silence for a moment, then as if Yoshi decided to believe him, his Prince smiled.

“You are so sure. So much so, I’m willing to buy into your optimism,” Yoshi said. “It makes the thought of returning to the palace exciting.”

Midori sunk his fingers into Yoshi’s hair, pulling him close for a brutal kiss. A devouring kiss, exploring deep, taking Yoshi’s breath away until his prince clung to him in a dazed cloud of hunger and need. Their mutual hunger grew with every touch, every breath…

Midori broke the kiss, trailing his lips along Yoshi’s jaw, to his ear.

“The option is staying apart, going back to being without you. That is an unbearable option,” Midori whispered. “Not being able to touch you, feel you this way…I will die, Yoshi.”

Yoshi bit into his shoulder with a soft moan.

“Then together we must stay,” Yoshi said, his fingers digging into Midori’s back when Midori kissed his earlobe. “My Consort.”

***