The Reluctant Consort - 7. Chapter 7

The Emperor’s Fig Tree

Days moved in a whirlwind of activity for Kastan. Each day, he waited for news of Jihan, but none came from the men he sent out in search of his lover. He could not leave the border or the ten thousand miles of West Nation land he had seized.

His hopes hinged on his sister who worked day and night to reach a deal that would suit both West Nation and the Empire of Akasha.

On a sunny morning at the end of fourteen days, Kastan sat in the command tent listening to his remaining general. All others had returned to their stations.

General Condi held the border strong with thirty thousand men. The men working under him were efficient and dedicated.

Kastan knew they had sustained losses, but still they worked without faltering.

As for West Nation, Kastan wished he could leave their lands in their control, but they had to learn not to ever invade the Empire of Akasha. Kyra would help them make the right decisions.

Until then, Kastan held control over the lands bordering Akasha.

“Commander, the burden of security is on us,” General Condi continued. “We have been working to control insurgents in the border city we seized. There are youths who engage our troops, and we try not to retaliate but there have been incidents we cannot avoid.”

“I’ll talk to West Nation’s Commander,” Kastan said.

He was aware of the rebellious young men who had tried to fight some of the Akasha soldiers in an alley in the center of the small city they had taken. Kastan could not blame the young men for their anger at the invasion. He also could not ask his soldiers not to defend themselves in hostile conditions.

“Ask our men to only use excessive force when necessary,” Kastan reminded General Condi.

“We’ll try our best. West Nation’s security systems are not as effective as our own. It makes our patrols on the streets harder to manage. They could also be making it difficult for us. How much longer are we here?”

“Queen Kyra and her cadre of advisers will solve that question,” Kastan said. “Ours is to show a presence in the streets. Keep order as Queen Kyra decides on the law. The Emperor will make the final decision on whether we are to keep the ten thousand miles or retreat to the border. I’ll handle the politics on the incident with the young men. Keep me updated on everything else.”

“Yes, Commander,” General Condi said and left the tent soon after.

Kastan felt a wave of excitement skate through him when Temu entered the tent. Temu had the important job of tracking Jihan’s whereabouts.

Temu, seeing his excitement, shook his head indicating that he had yet to find Jihan.

Disappointment hit Kastan hard and he sat back with a sigh.

“We have a team of three watching Kamran Manor in the Imperial City,” Temu said.

“What have they seen there?” Kastan asked, pouring water into a goblet. He placed the jug on the tray on the table, and traced the small jar of Gura Wine he found in the kitchen at the Raven Inn. It was half-full. Jihan had not finished it the night Kastan found him drinking.

Kastan had taken it out of an odd need to remain connected with Jihan.

“Lord Duyi, Jihan’s father, meets with too many court officials,” Temu handed Kastan a list of names.

Kastan read the list, remembering receiving a similar one at the start of this war. A merchant in the imperial city had compiled Lord Duyi’s powerful friends for him.

“I know we have mentioned this before, when you were researching on the Kamran Merchants,” Temu acknowledged. “I only bring it up again because it has now become more obvious. Court officials have increased their visits to the manor. Lord Duyi’s wife, Mrs. Kamran, has a social club supported by one of Her Majesty’s ladies in waiting.”

Kastan sighed.

It was nice to know about Jihan’s parents but he was more interest in Jihan.

“There has been no sign of Jihan in the imperial city,” Temu said, with a heavy sigh. “We have a second team watching the Eagle’s Claw in Vasia but nothing yet.”

Kastan drank his water. He got up and walked out of the command tent, stepping out into the lush green plains of West Nation. His army was camped on the edge of the ten thousand miles of land he had seized.

They were controlling the city that flowed to the Akasha border, and the lush plains ahead of him led to West Nation’s capital. The scenery was beautiful, but he longed for Silver Shore Valley.

Kastan had given Kyra and her cadre an elite troop of soldiers headed by Naveed for her mission. Kyra was staying at West Nation’s Capital city these last four days, as the negotiations were reaching an end.

Kastan was waiting for Kyra’s results.

He could not leave West Nation until Kyra was back with him.

“Think Temu,” Kastan said, a deep frown creasing his forehead. “How does one find a merchant? What is the one thing a merchant must do himself?”

“Count his money,” Temu said.

“Not with Jihan,” Kastan said, finishing his water. He stared into the empty goblet. “He did not touch money in the twenty days you saw him at the Raven Inn. Yet, paying customers filled the dining hall. He has devolved the process.”

Kastan placed the goblet he held on a table outside his tent. He walked down the path leading to the east of the camp. His gaze roamed the tents surrounding his command. His men looked alert, even as they rested from the endless march into West Nation. They lacked for nothing, thanks to Jihan. The supplies rolled in to the camp using the routes Jihan established.

Kastan stopped to greet the men who called out to him, or approached him. He listened, and laughed when they teased him. He asked about their families and offered help where he could. Kastan’s walk led him to the aviary and the doves they carried from the imperial city for messaging.

Kastan stopped and watched the men responsible for messaging work for a moment.

“Commander?” Temu prompted, moving to stand next to him.

“Messages,” Kastan said, watching a young messenger boy launch a dove into the sky. “Jihan must communicate with the Eagle’s Claw. We can find him through their messenger doves.”

Temu grinned wide.

“The Commander is very right. I’ll send a message now to our men watching the Eagle’s Claw.”

Kastan smiled, anticipation filling him.

*~*~*~*

Kiyan, Emperor of the most powerful Empire in the region, sat watching his wife grind herbs in a workroom he built for her.

He dared to think that he preferred the role of Emperor. He understood that role, had been born to fit into it. Never once had he doubted any decisions he made as Emperor.

However, sitting in front of his wife in the humble role of husband, he worried he was wrong more than he dared admit.

Rushi loved vibrant flavor in her food. The people of Giode Kingdom loved spice and taught their children at a young age how to use those spices in the kitchen. Rushi had brought that culture to the Akasha Imperial Palace. She sourced herbs and spices, dried them and ground them in the specialized workroom Kiyan had built for her. She took the time to make sure their kitchens were stocked with the right spices, and even helped apprentice chefs understand their uses.

Now, she sat on a low stool in a long gold gown, the sleeves folded back and tied with ribbons at her elbows. A scarf covered her long hair, and she turned the wheel on her grinder with infinite patience.

Kiyan took a small breath in, and his nostrils filled with the strong scent of cinnamon. She shared her culture, a deep part of her, with him. He wondered if he should try to share a small part of his family with her.

Kiyan pulled back his left sleeve to show her the tattoo she marveled over every time they lay in bed together. It was an old fig tree with three thick branches. On good days, the tree stood tall with green leaves on its branches. Right this moment, two of the three thick branches looked weighted down. The one on the left had started losing some of its leaves.

“Rushi, look at this tree,” Kiyan said.

Rushi looked up from her work to stare at the tree on his forearm. It’s dark color a contrast on his skin.

“I’ve never seen it do that before,” she said, her tone full of wonder.

“It lets you see what I want seen,” Kiyan said, opening his fist so that the tree righted itself into a perfect tall tree with green leaves. He closed his fist again, and the state of his siblings appeared. “This is the truth of our blood line, Rushi. The branch in the middle represents my house. The branch on the left represents Kastan’s house, and the right branch is Kyra’s house.”

Rushi stopped grinding her herbs to stare at the gnarled fig tree.

“Our connection goes beyond blood,” Kiyan said, tracing the thick trunk supporting the three branches. “Our family is born into our rights to power, hardly ever chosen.”

“Prince Kastan’s leaves are falling,” Rushi said, with a raised brow.

“Kas’s branch is weighted down by the level of danger he faces,” Kiyan said, studying Kastan’s branch. “He has lived through mortal danger, and something else that I cannot figure out.”

“Queen Kyra should be safe,” Rushi said. “Why is hers so low?”

“Diplomacy is a dangerous mission. If she fails, Akasha will be unstable,” Kiyan said. “Kas will have to continue the war until he has complete control of West Nation. A war in West Nation would deplete our resources. We are all hoping for a quick resolution. This is our current state. Rushi, what you tried to do to Kas only weakens our family.”

Kiyan lifted his sleeve higher to show her the roots of the tree, which were embedded above the tree. On a good day, they were golden. On a bad day like this one, some of them were soot black.

“This is the rot that grows in our palace when you plot to destroy one who heads a branch of this tree,” Kiyan said, not sparing her the worst of it. “I’m glad to see some of the gold back but when you and your father planned to murder Kastan it all turned to black. You can’t imagine my disappointment.”

“His Imperial Majesty must think me a monster for trying to take power from Prince Kastan,” Rushi said.

“It’s a power you can’t take,” Kiyan said, covering his arm and sitting back in the chaise across his wife.

Attendants moved around them, bringing in new herbs and taking the powders Rushi made. Each one of the attendants well trained to keep any conversations between Rushi and Kiyan a secret.

“Do you ever think of your two sons?” Rushi asked, pain flashing in her eyes. “I don’t have to tell you what power can do. My own family broke apart because of the throne. My uncle murdered my father and would have done the same to my brother if he could.”

Kiyan scoffed.

“Rushi, your Giode Kingdom stands today because of my will, and the will of the ancients in our empire,” Kiyan said, accepting a goblet of peach wine from an attendant. “Your brother took power thanks to our marriage. Otherwise, your uncle would have killed you both. I don’t forget easily, my love.”

“Yan and Yija might have to face Prince Kastan and his son, Rashan,” Rushi said, her fear clear. “Don’t you wish to strengthen them?”

Annoyance flashed through him at Rushi’s view of Kastan.

He could never imagine Kastan rising against him. It wasn’t possible.

In fact, Kiyan worried more that he took too much from Kastan. He thought of Rashan who was now Silver Shore Marquis. That young boy was heading Silver Shore at the age of eleven while he waited for his father to return from war. If he were Rashan, he would hate his Emperor Uncle.

The thought pained him.

Shaking his head, Kiyan decided that Rushi’s negative thoughts were because of her past. She had come from a corrupted system, a harsh palace life that bred ill will. How could she not suspect Kastan?

“Kastan is my blood and Kyra’s blood. He is the second son of Kaveh Miran. His bloodline is powerful and now runs in Rashan,” Kiyan said. “His loyalty to our empire is strong, as is Rashan’s loyalty. They are sworn to protect Yan and Yija. Why would I need to worry?”

Rushi continued grinding herbs, her lashes lowered to hide her gaze.

Kiyan wondered where his role of husband ended and that of Emperor started. He warred with it for a minute, until the Emperor won.

“My brother is off limits,” Kiyan said, feeling warmth surge through the roots of the tree on his arm.

It was some of the black turning gold, his loyalty to Kastan more than enough to restore some of the balance.

“I don’t need to explain what will happen to anyone who tries to harm Kastan Miran,” Kiyan said.

“Your lesson on the matter was harsh enough, Your Majesty,” Rushi said. “How could I forget it?”

Kiyan was aware that Rushi’s tone was tinged with bitterness.

“Your father, Lord Villes, saved your life,” Kiyan said. “He took on the charge of treason out of love for you. Our empire takes war seriously, Rushi. Treason in a time of war is unheard of; no one could save him, not even me.”

Rushi sniffled and wiped a palm over her right cheek.

Kiyan gave her a moment to compose herself. He stared into his goblet. He liked the taste of the peach wine he was drinking. It was popular among his courtiers but no one had ever met the brewer.

Kiyan had once entertained the idea of meeting him or her, but then he changed his mind. A master like the one who brewed the wine in his goblet needed the mystery. Only then would the taste stay the same.

The Akasha Empire was similar in nature. Power corrupted, he had seen his share of betrayals at court, even while leaning on his father’s counsel. To reduce the weight of such betrayals, the empire’s power was divided into three parts: govern, protect and counsel

Rushi could never understand this type of power. She liked control, but that would kill the empire in a few generations.

“I’ve been thinking of making Kastan stay here at the Imperial Palace. He will have no choice but to attend court while he is here,” Kiyan said, with a small smile. “After all, the events that led to West Nation’s war would have been avoided with him around. It would also mean Rashan would come to stay with us at the palace. Yan and Yija will enjoy having their cousin around. Yan has been asking about Rashan.”

Rushi looked up from her work in shock.

“Does that mean all three of you would be in the Imperial Palace?” she asked.

“It will be good for us, for a while,” Kiyan said, sipping his wine.

He missed having Kastan around the palace.

Rushi stopped grinding herbs and folded her hands on her lap.

“Queen Kyra is more than enough to have here,” Rushi said.

“Kyra must return to her place in Tanad soon,” Kiyan said. “My sister has a husband, Rushi, and a child of her own. I cannot keep her away from them too long. They might hate me forever.”

Kiyan finished his wine. He placed his goblet on the small table next to the chaise and sat up.

“Rushi,” Kiyan said, meeting her worried gaze. “I married you out of love and interest. I wanted to give you peace and make sure your Giode Kingdom found its stability. Remember, your brother remains unable to get any children. Our children have the right to his throne, and we must protect that legacy. Kas is the only one I know capable of helping you protect that right. It would be nice if you would learn how to protect him too, Rushi. He is not your enemy.”

Rushi closed her eyes, her hands held tight.

“His success with West Nation has made him even more powerful,” Rushi said. “Don’t you ever worry?”

“Never,” Kiyan said with no hesitation. “I trust my brother with the empire and my family. He in turn trusts me with his family. Do you understand what that means, Rushi?”

Rushi opened her eyes to look at him.

“What does it mean?” she asked.

“It means you need Kastan alive and well to protect Yan. He is the only one who would care enough. Kastan can and will protect our son. He is also training Rashan to take his place in time. He has secured Yan’s future too.”

Kiyan fell silent watching his wife, wondering if he was getting through to her.

It was very difficult to understand what Rushi was thinking.

“Rushi, you are the mother of my children, mother of an empire, mother to the future emperor,” Kiyan said. "I need you to remember that the threats in the Akasha Empire don’t come from within the palace, but the outside. You haven’t seen danger until you’ve faced a Shadow Guard intent on killing you. I have, numerous times, and Yan will too. He needs a strong person to look out for him. Please, think about it.”

Kiyan got up and pointed to his empty goblet of wine.

“I like that peach wine very much. Let’s make it part of our meals, Rushi.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Rushi said, with a small bow of her head.

Kiyan left her workroom only to find the head of his investigative bureau waiting for him outside.

“Rael,” Kiyan said in greeting continuing his walk to his offices. He hoped his little talk with Rushi had gotten through to her. “What have you discovered?”

“The Kamran merchants have an intense underground network,” Rael said, his voice barely above a whisper. He kept up with Kiyan’s swift stride, his boots silent on the palace floors. His stealth unnerved Kiyan.

“How wide is it?” Kiyan asked, entering his offices, glad when the doors closed and they were in relative privacy. “Do I need to worry about them?”

“Him,” Rael corrected, with his head lowered. “Will His Imperial Majesty allow me to explain this complex puzzle?”

Kiyan moved around his desk and sat in his chair folding his arms against his chest. He nodded at Rael to continue.

“It has taken a few weeks to dig into Lord Duyi Kamran,” Rael said. “We were forced to concentrate on Lord Duyi as we could not find any information on the current head of the merchant group.”

Kiyan thought about the images that he had seen when Kastan visited him late at night. He remembered the curious hazy features of the young man that had caught Kastan’s attention. How reluctant Kastan was to discuss Kamran.

“Lord Duyi received the black tiger seal from us,” Kiyan said, remembering the older man kneeling in his courtroom after he had received the mandate to supply the war.

“Yes, he did,” Rael said. “He summoned his son to take over the supply. Lord Duyi has left the care of the business to his son while he lives in the imperial city. Even though he is known as Lord Duyi, it is an empty title. His ambition is clear. I suspect he wants to make it a real title.”

“Ah,” Kiyan narrowed his gaze. “This is not a new ambition. Every merchant engages in some politics, that is not what worries me. These people managed to uncover the Burning Feather when no one else could. The Imperial Palace’s network seems weak compared to theirs. I don’t like it.”

“Yes,” Rael said with a sigh. “I’m afraid that is because Lord Duyi’s son is more industrious than the father. Lord Duyi left him in charge of a small family enterprise when he was eleven. He has worked to build a merchant empire in the past seventeen years. The only visible part of his network is the inn in Vasia called The Eagle’s Claw. The rest of it is underground. Someone must have tipped them off that we’re investigating. They have disappeared and the little information we were getting has stopped. No one will talk about the Kamran Merchants.”

“If you were to speculate on their size, how wide would you say their network is?”

Rael thought for a moment, then looked up to meet Kiyan’s gaze.

“They trade with Tanad, Giode and Light Kingdoms. They had secure routes into West Nation, enough to manage some trade with them. With the new treaty underway, I’m confident their trade relations will increase. I also believe they run most markets, especially in Vasia Town, and a few in the Imperial City Akan. I dare say they are supplying the palace too,” Rael said, then lowered his gaze. “His Imperial Majesty must understand that their network seems to be touching every inch of the empire’s economy. They are vital to the common citizen’s welfare.”

Kiyan sighed and shook his head.

“I want access to them. Doing it with force will only destroy the network. Which means, I need to acquire them as gently as possible. What is the name of Lord Duyi’s son?”

“I don’t know,” Rael said. “We only know of Garren of the Eagle’s Claw. He runs all supplies to the front. Lord Duyi does not talk about his son, often. If he does, they call him the youngest one.”

“The youngest one,” Kiyan narrowed his gaze. “Does that mean Lord Duyi has another child?”

“Yes, a daughter,” Rael said. “She’s the first child. She is Andiya Kamran. The father brags of her beauty to all that he meets. He hopes to marry her off in a lavish ceremony at his manor here.”

“Interesting,” Kiyan said, thoughtfully. “Marriage to a noble lord would give Lord Duyi the legitimacy he is looking for. His daughter would turn into a noble woman giving him the aristocracy he has been looking for. I know his kind, and understand them enough.”

Kiyan sat thinking of the unknown master of the Kamran network. Marriage to the sister would force that hidden master out of the shadows.

Kiyan frowned.

This network, while hidden, needed the right ownership. He could not give it to his courtiers. He trusted none of them even as he used them.

There was the problem of Lord Duyi dangling this morsel to the highest bidder.

Lord Revi would be willing to find a man under his thumb to marry this Andiya in order to take advantage of Duyi’s son. While Kiyan enjoyed Lord Revi’s support, Kiyan knew that the man would jump at any opportunity to have more power, more wealth.

Thinking about it made Kiyan wish he had a son old enough to marry this Andiya Kamran.

“Rael,” Kiyan said. “Invite Lord Duyi Kamran to the palace. We wish to meet him. Tell him we are grateful for the care he has shown Kastan’s armies. It will be good for us to meet him in person.”

Rael nodded and hurried out of Kiyan’s office.

Alone, Kiyan thought of Kastan. His brother had remained unmarried after Princess Jian’s death. In respect of her memory, Kiyan never mentioned another marriage to Kastan.

Thinking of Rashan alone at Silver Shore made him wonder if he had been wrong.

Was it okay to leave an eleven year old boy alone without someone to lean on, someone to love him? What if, the gods forbid it, but what if Kastan was killed at war? Rashan would be left an orphan, with an Emperor Uncle he needed to please.

Perhaps this Andiya would be a perfect candidate for the role of Kastan’s wife.

Kiyan rubbed his chin.

This would need some thinking. He would also run it by Kyra before they approached Kastan.

*~*~*~*

On a sunny afternoon after two days of travel, Andiya returned to Kamran Estate. She ran into the private courtyard, eager to see Jihan after a month of being apart. She had missed her brother. She had worried for him. She needed to see for herself that he was not injured.

Andiya stopped in the courtyard when she saw Firuz sitting at the table set in the middle of the lotus garden.

Firuz got up when he saw her and bowed his head in greeting.

“Where is he?” Andiya asked, a frown creasing her forehead.

Firuz looked up and gave her a sad smile.

“He’s with Yoru.”

It was rare for Jihan and Firuz to be separate.

Unless, Jihan was moping in the wild lands...

Andiya felt a wave of worry rush through her chest. She clutched her skirts and turned to head to the back of the main house. She headed to the small gate they used to access their vast lands. Firuz caught up with her, and held the small gate open for her. Glad she still wore her traveling boots, Andiya led the way along the dirt path. They walked down a hill with the rice paddies, past the water mill and over a bridge on the river.

Andiya paused to greet Vion, the man in charge of the fish farm. She did not linger with Vion, eager to see Jihan.

She continued down the path to the wild trees growing on the edge of the fish farm. Bamboo trees growing wild as they pleased. The path she chose weathered, as it saw much use from their staff that collected bamboo shoots and old bamboo poles. When the bamboo forest ended, they entered the wild lands.

Firuz took the lead this time and she followed him with a sense of wariness. Wild animals lived here, and she did not like coming out here alone, but Jihan loved it.

Firuz stopped when they reached a clearing and she looked around him to see the oldest tree in their home.

The eyrie took her breath away each time she saw it. Hundreds of eagles were perched on the top most branches. Others in the large nests they built.

Jihan had built a stone bench under the huge tree with a little table he used to read or place drinks.

He also used the bench to sleep, as he was now.

Andiya took in the mint green silk of Jihan’s robes waving in the breeze, his hair sweeping the ground. His arms were clasped on his stomach, his fan covering his face. One leg rested on the bench, while the other stepped on the ground. The dark trousers under his silk robe spotted with mud. His fine boots were muddy too. It was enough to let Andiya know that Jihan had been working around the fish farm. Her brother had probably spent the whole morning moving around their lands like a man possessed. He threw himself into physical work when his heart was unsettled.

Placing her hands at her waist, Andiya sighed.

“Which one is it this time? Swallow or Tagon?” she asked Firuz.

Firuz kept his silence and she turned her gaze to him. She raised her right brow and Firuz cursed under his breath as he turned away.

“I can’t tell you, Andiya,” he said.

“You’ll tell me, or you’ll be eating cold rice for a week,” Andiya threatened.

Firuz bit his bottom lip and rubbed his eyes. He shook his head and seemed to make a decision.

“Alright, but you can’t tell him that you know,” Firuz warned. “He is worried enough as it is. I don’t want to—”

“Who is it?” Andiya asked, cutting Firuz off.

“Duke Silver,” Firuz said in a whisper.

Andiya gaped, and returned her gaze to her brother.

“He never chooses easy ones,” Andiya said. “Why he can’t fall for one of the ones working for us, I never know. How bad was the end?”

Firuz shrugged.

“I can’t tell,” Firuz said. “He won’t talk about it. I think he likes Duke Silver more than he expected he would.”

Andiya dropped her hands from her waist.

“Well, Duke Silver is a dream,” Andiya said, her heart going out to her brother. “Our little house can never reach the great Imperial Palace. It’s up to you and me, Firuz, to help him get over this one.”

“I know that very well,” Firuz said, his tone soft as he looked to Jihan who was still sleeping.

“Where is Yoru?” Andiya asked. “He would be with Jihan if he was around.”

“There was an issue with one of the eagles sent by Garren. Yoru is checking it out. He should be back soon with news. Jihan is waiting for him.”

“Hmm,” Andiya picked up her skirts and started toward her brother.

Jihan remained asleep when she reached him. She crouched by his head, lifting the fan he carried to study his sleeping features. His lashes caressed his skin with his eyes closed. His lips slightly parted in his sleep. His hair pulled back from his face with a clip that kept it in place on the back of his head.

Jihan looked younger than his twenty-seven years when he was asleep.

Andiya stood and lifted his head with care. She sat on the stone bench and rested Jihan’s head on her lap, using the fan to shield his face from the afternoon sun.

Jihan opened his eyes for a moment, and looked at her.

“Andiya,” he murmured.

“I’m here, An,” she said, her tone soothing. “Sleep some more, I’ll wake you when Yoru gets back.”

Jihan stared at her for a moment more, a small smile curving his lips. Then he settled and went back to sleep.

Andiya stroked her fingers through her brother’s hair and hoped he would heal from this new heartbreak soon. She hated to see Jihan give so much of himself and get nothing back. Oh how she wished he would find someone to love him too.

*~*~*~*

Jihan woke to the feel of cool air brushing his skin. His head rested on a comfortable spot. He opened his eyes to find his fan moving back and forth in an elegant sweep.

“Are you awake?” Andiya asked, and he blinked when the fan shifted and he was looking at his sister.

“Andiya!” Jihan said, smiling wide.

He had thought her a dream when she placed his head on her lap.

Andiya grinned at him and winked.

“You’re home,” Jihan said, relaxing.

It was the first time he felt at ease since returning home from Kin Town.

“Yes,” Andiya said. “I’m glad to see no injuries on you. Firuz said the war front was relatively safe.”

Jihan turned his head to his right to find Firuz sitting on the grass near the bench. His Shadow Guard was busy weaving a rope with thick strands of silk. Jihan watched him a moment, enjoying the quiet moment after a hectic month. He took in a deep breath and let it out slow. The crushing weight he had felt on his chest since Kin Town easing a bit.

“We did the best we could,” Jihan said in answer to Andiya. “I’m glad we’re all home now. The harvest at the Gura Orchards is about to start.”

“Yes, Ishan is very excited about it,” Andiya said. “He said he will make sure all your workers have food so you don’t have to worry about that. His mother and sister stayed at Silver Shore. So he has time to help with the harvest.”

“You came back alone with him?” Jihan asked, forgetting his own problems to glare at his sister. “Andiya, if that ever got out, do you think anyone would want to marry you?”

“Since when did you become such a prude?” Andiya asked. “Besides, you’re wealthy enough to buy me the highest of reputations, little brother. Why do you worry about my marriage so much?”

“Because I want you to be happy,” Jihan said.

“I’m happy now,” Andiya said, placing a gentle hand on his forehead. She smoothed her palm back over his hair with a grin. “Stop overthinking my life, and worry about yourself, An. Are you never going to get married?”

“Never,” Jihan said, shaking his head. “You’ll have to think of me as your old brother living alone at Kamran Estate. I’ll make sure you get the most lavish wedding when you get married. After, bring your children to visit me often so that I can spoil them. I will be their most favorite uncle and teach them all the naughty tricks I know.”

“An!” Andiya said in frustration, making Jihan laugh.

The sound of his laugh carried making the eagles launch into the sky, flying around the tree making a stunning picture.

Jihan decided then that he would be happy with this much from now on. The dream he had lived with Kastan was just that, a dream he could never have.

It was better to be content with what he had now, and what a gorgeous gift it was, he thought.

Suddenly the largest eagle in the eyrie swooped down from the sky, making Jihan sit up on the bench. He watched Yoru perch on the stone table, eyes widening when he saw blood on Yoru’s beak and talons.

Jihan met Yoru’s gaze bracing for the impact of discomfort that came with their conversation.

‘Jihan, a man followed one of the young eagles from the Eagle’s Claw. He was tracking the little one’s progress. The little one tried to throw him off our trail and got injured in the process when that man shot arrows at him.’

“Where is the young one now?” Jihan asked, worried.

Yoru looked up and Jihan followed his gaze to see a small eagle struggle to land, its left wing clearly injured. Firuz abandoned his weaving and leaped up on to the closest branch of the tree. He climbed up fast in time to catch the injured eagle before it fell to the ground.

Firuz studied the injured wing from the tree, and then hurried down with his precious cargo.

‘The man in question smelled like those in uniform at the border. The seal on his head band had a black tiger,’ Yoru told Jihan. ‘I’ll leave the rest to you. We should start worrying for the safety of the other eagles.’

Jihan winced, his gaze on the blood on Yoru’s talons.

‘I’m sorry. I injured the man who attacked the little one. It was a scratch on his arm, nothing serious. It was just enough to stop him from following us.’

Jihan nodded and took the handkerchief Andiya pressed into his right hand. He wiped the blood from his nose. Yoru joined his kin on the large tree. Firuz held the injured eagle with care.

“We need to take him home,” Firuz said. “Deora will fix the damage. I think he will make it.”

Jihan nodded in relief and got up, holding out his hand for Andiya. She hurried to Firuz’s side when she was up, her concern for the eagle clear.

Worry bloomed at the thought of someone chasing down his eagles. He would need to change their mode of messaging. He could not risk Yoru and the eyrie at Kamran.

Or…?

Was Duke Silver trying to find him?

Jihan felt his heart squeeze in his chest.

That’s thinking too highly of yourself, he thought. Why would Duke Silver bother to look for me?

After all, Jihan had been such a tiny existence in Duke Silver’s world.

*~*~*~*

“This large eagle came out of nowhere. Swooping down and attacking before I could capture the younger one. By the time I got my bearing it was over, they had disappeared. We were so close, Your Grace. I’m sorry we could only pinpoint a general area.”

Kastan studied the roads the messengers had used while following the eagles Jihan used. He was surprised to see the routes all led by the Silver Shore Valley, heading to the border with the Iron Lands.

Eagles were true kings of the skies, and he had an eyrie in the Silver Shore Valley he protected. He couldn’t imagine how Jihan had gotten eagles to act as messenger birds for him. The more he discovered about his lover, the more intriguing Jihan got.

The memory of Jihan laughing while they fake-played cards filled his head and for a moment it sounded so real, like Jihan sat in the chair across him.

‘Your turn,’ Jihan said with a small chuckle. ‘No cheating, my dear Duke Silver.’

The memory of Jihan faded when Temu pulled out the chair and sat down in it. The wave of annoyance felt foreign but familiar. He was used to getting what he wanted, but Jihan continued to elude and teach him patience.

Frowning, Kastan returned his gaze to the map on the table. He knew every inch of Silver Shore, and the land surrounding his valley. It paid to know his neighbors. The path their messenger pointed out was to the northeast of his valley, heading to the ocean waters. If one followed the path farther up North, it led into the Iron Lands. The maps showed off wild land near the northeast border.

Wild and free, as no one had laid claim to the place.

Kastan narrowed his gaze.

Jihan was cunning. He thought a thousand steps ahead on any matter that came his way. A merchant with the kind of network Jihan had developed would take measures to protect his sanctuary.

Picking up a thin stick of charcoal, Kastan drew a circle around the blank area in the Northeast of his beloved Silver Shore.

“Scour this area for signs of life,” Kastan ordered. “Do not engage. I just want them found, and then you report to me through Lord Temu. No one else, do you understand?”

The messenger nodded taking the map Kastan rolled, and he got up.

“I’m sorry you got hurt in the process. However, Varden, I protect eagles. I will not have you shooting arrows at them. Do you understand?” Kastan said, unhappy about one of his men harming an eagle.

“I understand,” Varden said with a nod.

Kastan waved him off and Varden left the command tent without another word.

“Are you sure about finding him?” Temu asked. “It might be easier for you to let this matter drop. Our people at the palace say the Emperor is interested in an alliance with the Kamran Merchants.”

“I just want Jihan,” Kastan said. “Nothing else matters.”

Temu sighed, and would have spoken but one of the messenger boys came running into the tent, flushed with excitement.

“Queen Kyra has returned from West Nation’s Capital!”

*~*~*~*