Was Francesca sent by the Songs to destroy them? Fen thought not and she was blessed with charm. It was more impressive than it sounded, because with her charm she could control minds to an extent. It was the smooth, sweet quality to her voice and in her captivating expressions that made people want to tell her the truth.

  The Phoenix blessed Haun with strength and a warrior's heart. He was brave, sturdy and did what had to be done no matter what. When the time came, he would make a great emperor.

  Their baby sister, Mei, was influenced by the elements, mostly the wind. It would whisper in her ear, making her act on instinct. If little Mei felt something should be a certain way, it usually should be. She knew when to strike and when to be the meek, pretty flower. Mastering the art of both was what made her a good negotiator.

  Lian was blessed with grace, both in movement and temperament, and with knowledge of the present. He could defuse any situation with logic, to the point that it was irritating. The prince also made one fine dancer.

  Jin's gift had always been the past. All his life he'd wondered why his siblings would receive such amazing gifts when all he could do is see and understand his people's history—and not even all of it. It's why he was looked at for keeping traditions. Anyone who wanted to read the scrolls could learn of the past. However, since discovering that the scrolls had been altered, he realized now that he was the only link to the truth of what once was. Unfortunately, it wasn't a clear vision like watching a communicator image or seeing smuggled ancient Earth transmissions, but more like feelings about how things had really been.

  The clear visions would have been a lot easier to understand.

  Now with tension over the Wushu Uprising surfacing once more and the so-called ‘curse’ he was meant to save his people from, he needed his gift more than ever. Only problem was that all he knew was a maze of lies that needed to be staggered through. And not everything was exactly a lie, but the memory of someone else—an ancestor or spirit who only saw past events from their point of view. One viewpoint was a narrow vision indeed and memory was often fueled by the person's emotional scars.

  "Jin,” Shen repeated. Jin glanced at his brother as the man said again, “This is the only way."

  Jin nodded once. What else could he do? The family had decided that it was time for him to marry and that is what he would do. Grandfather Manchu believed that marriage would save the family. Jin didn't have the same opinion, but it was too great a thing to risk just for the sake of his own pride. So what if he did not wish to marry Francesca? Or, so what if he did but for a different reason?

  Blessed ancestors, help me. Stop this. Find another way.

  Jin looked around the crowded hall. He saw glimpses of spirits mingling with the live crowd, but it appeared that no one else saw the dead. Were they showing themselves to him as an act of intimidation, to remind him of his duty and to keep him steady? It really wasn't needed. Nothing could make him forget it. Or was it simply they could not longer hide themselves from him anymore?

  Ever since the spirits came to him when he was drunk, they hadn't stopped coming. He saw them everywhere, doing practically everything a live person would do. They walked over the paths, exercised in the halls, floated invisible boats on the Enchanted River and danced when there was no music. He'd even walked in on a couple having sex in the Imperial Gardens. Empress Zhang theorized that he could see so many spirits because they were of the past and that was his gift. It made sense, but the sight of them only made the weight on his heart all the heavier. Not only were the living dependent on him, so were the dead. It was a profound burden.

  Why are they just now appearing to me? Why can't they leave me be?

  "This is a happy day, ge ge,” Lian said. “You shouldn't look so fierce."

  "Try to smile,” Shen instructed quietly.

  "But not too wide,” Lian added. “For it is a serious occasion."

  "You know, I never got that.” Shen leaned forward, looking past Jin to Lian. “It's a wedding. Shouldn't the joining of two lives be a time of complete celebration? Why do we all have to act serious?"

  "Huh, I never thought about it,” Lian mused, contemplating the question. Jin hid his chuckle. Shen just asked the question to mess with their brother. Lian would be thinking about the logic of being serious at weddings for weeks.

  Shen winked at Jin, smirking as Lian's expression clouded in deep thought.

  "You are doing what you must, xiâo dì dì.” Haun nodded in approval. “You honor us greatly today."

  "Happiness for honor,” Jin said softly. “I only hope none of you have to make such a trade."

  Haun's lips tightened, but he didn't speak. There was nothing he could say.

  A murmur rose over the hall. Jin turned to the entranceway in time to see his sister stepping aside for his bride. His breath caught. Fen had done an amazing job. Francesca actually looked like true Líntianese woman. A square lace veil covered her head and face, hiding her foreign features from the crowd. It wasn't done on purpose, as the veil was traditional wedding attire. The dark red matched her clothing. When she walked, platform shoes caused her body to sway and her feet to shuffle in small steps.

  Beautiful.

  Jin couldn't breathe. She was beautiful. His heart beat faster, pounding so hard he was sure his brothers could hear the sound. He knew that her presence, that this ceremony was a lie. The knowledge caused an ache to wash over him, so intense he wanted to fall to the ground screaming. Instead he held perfectly still, watching his little thief come closer. He wished that this moment wasn't a lie, that part of her could actually love him.

  Love?

  He bit back a self-depreciating laugh. Love had nothing to do with this, and yet he yearned for it more than anything. He loved her. Part of him had from that first moment he saw her cussing out the guards, so defiant and strong. She was so outspoken compared to the noblewomen he knew. When they came together completely, and he'd released his seed inside of her, he knew for sure. He loved her and that would be his downfall.

  You will destroy me, won't you, bâobèi?

  Thoughts ran rampant in his head. Now that he admitted his feelings to himself, he couldn't stop them. Francesca stepped closer, the embodiment of everything he held dear. Her clothing represented his people, his past and future. He wished for her to share all of it with him. Part of him wanted to cry out, another part wanted to run and another still wanted to bow at her feet and beg for mercy.

  Mercy? She would sooner crush me with my own heart than show me mercy.

  "Time,” Lian whispered, as if reading his thoughts. Jin couldn't take his eyes from Francesca. “Time will reveal all. You have little to do but wait for it."

  "That is easier said than done,” Shen mumbled. “I am truly sorry, Jin."

  Francesca stepped up the stairs. Arranged marriages were supposed to be a thing of the past, but here he was facing a marriage arranged by his ancestors to protect the family. With each passing second, his body tightened with nerves. Maybe he was overly emotional because of what today was. He hadn't been given too much time to prepare for it. In fact, he hadn't known Francesca all that long. Perhaps it would have been different had he known all his life that this decision wouldn't be his. Instead, he'd been led to believe that his bride would be of his choosing.

  But who else could I choose?

  I am a fool.

  I can't do this. Jin took a deep breath, shaking his head slightly. I can't do this.

  "I can't do this.” The words came softly out of him. He tried to step back from the line formed by his brothers, but Haun was suddenly at his side, gripping his arm tight from behind.

  "Then you kill us all,” Haun hissed into his ear.

  "You say that because this isn't your future,” Jin whispered.

  "If it were me, there would be no debate. The wedding would be done. I know my place, Jin.” Haun's grip tightened. “Look around, little brother. If you don't do this, we're all dead. That is my future as well as yours."

  Jin did look. He looked at the people of Muntong staring at his bride. He looked at the dead, staring back at him. Then he looked at his parents, watching the whole proceeding expectantly. Finally, his eyes found Francesca. She studied him from beneath the veil. Haun squeezed tight in warning before letting go.

  Francesca's round dark gaze drew him to her from beneath the lace veil. She held power over him, even if she didn't know it. Jin stepped forward, passing his brothers. Taking a step down the platform to meet her, he said, “I apologize."

  It wasn't the eloquent speech he'd prepared and it wasn't even close to what he wanted to tell her, but it was all he could manage.

  "I apologize,” he repeated, louder.

  Francesca slowly nodded. Her tone questioning, she answered, “I accept?"

  Jin studied her. She really had no clue what was going on. He saw movement behind her as servants hurried out the door toward the front of the building.

  Fen cleared her throat, the sound oddly loud in the quiet hall. “Ah, Jin?"

  Jin bowed to Francesca. The sound of onlookers came over them, as the crowd voiced their approval. It wasn't a wild, happy cheering, but a proper amount of respectful appreciation of his match.

  Francesca's brow furrowed as she glanced around without moving her head. She appeared annoyed by the whole ordeal more than anything.

  If she's annoyed now, he mused wryly, then she's going to hate what happens next.

  "Come.” He offered his arm and she took it without thought. Jin led her through the hall to the door. As they reached outside, she asked, “Where are we going? Is that it? I'm forced to get dressed up, you say you're sorry and we leave?"

  "No, there is one more thing we must do today,” he answered.

  "Ugh, I should've known.” Francesca shook her head. Then, with a sound of irritation, she swatted at her face. “What is with this veil anyway? Can I take it off?"

  Jin was glad to have something to talk about. “Soon you can take it off. It's an old custom, when men believed a woman's face to be the downfall of self-control. A man wouldn't want his wife to attract others with their beauty. So she, in an effort to please, would wear the veil to show her loyalty to her man."

  "You mean ‘her husband,’ don't you?"

  Jin laughed lightly and nodded. “Yes."

  Francesca pulled the veil from her head. She shook her hair.

  "France—"

  "You are not my husband.” She handed him the veil. “And I am hardly some meek woman wishing to hide my face for the sake of your self-control.” She winked audaciously at him. “In fact, I like when you don't show control. It leads to great things."

  "It is also for unmarried women.” He tried to give the veil back but Francesca took a step and wobbled. “It's a sign of your virtue."

  Francesca laughed, grabbing his arm as she pulled the platforms from her feet. “My virtue? Need I remind you about how virtuous I am? When I said ‘great things’ I didn't mean the fighting. Though that is fun too."

  She glanced down his body in meaning and Jin felt a stirring between his legs. Francesca slapped a platform into his outstretched hand as he tried to give her back the veil. She leaned over and took off the other shoe, sighing as she set her bare foot back on the ground.

  Jin didn't know what to say. His bride was undressing before the wedding in public view. Servants came around the corner, carrying a sedan chair for her. Maybe not telling her what was going on was a mistake.

  The sedan was red with enough room inside for one person—the bride. The gold roof was styled like the palace buildings. Red silk covered the walls and hung over the front section to hide the bride from view and there was a window on each side of the sedan so she could peek out.

  "Huh, would you look at that.” She nodded at the sedan. “What's it for?"

  Jin watched the servants lead the sedan to the end of the Hall of Infinite Wisdom's steps. It hovered over the ground, not like the old days when people actually carried the vehicles on their shoulders. Even though the servants didn't do that anymore, there were still four bars sticking out at each corner like the old days. Instead of carrying, the servants led the chair with them.

  "It is a sedan. Get in,” Jin said.

  "What? Inside that? Why?"

  "It's.... It's your ride. Just get in. It's tradition that you don't walk."

  "Great,” she laughed. Then, taking a finger, she touched his sleeve. “You want to go in with me? I promise it would be more fun than this whole apology business. You said sorry, I accepted. Sounds like it's all taken care of."

  Jin read the meaning in her beautiful jade eyes and his body desperately wanted to say yes. “I can't. We won't both fit and the others will be coming out soon. They expect to see me walking."

  "Fine, but you better not try to sacrifice me in some weird ceremony and this better be over soon.” Francesca ignored the servant who offered their hand as she pulled herself up into the sedan.

  Jin started to turn to go get the crowd, but stopped and crossed over to her. He pulled the front cover aside and set the shoes and veil on her lap.

  She groaned, picking them up. Before he could speak, she mumbled, “I know, I know. It's tradition. Save the lecture, I'll put them back on. Promise."

  * * * *

  A feeling that something wasn't right nagged at Francesca as she was led away from the Hall of Infinite Wisdom in the sedan chair. But, since everything the Líntianese did take a long time and was surrounded by endless tradition and ceremony, she decided she was just on edge. Lying in Jin's bed all night, surrounded by his smell as she fought the longing in her body, had left her tired. Not to mention the morning run and Fen's insistent pampering.

  In the hall, he'd looked like his brothers, only he stood out because of the dark red of his gown compared to their black. No, it was more than his clothing. He stood out because he made her heart beat faster when she looked at him. The clothing was like a tease, a seduction of her senses as she imagined slowly undressing him for her pleasure. The fact that everything was soft and silky to the touch only made the sensations all the more erotic. His hard muscled skin would be so firm against the material of their clothing. When they had sex partially dressed, the combination of hard and soft had been extremely fascinating and arousing.

  Francesca closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the sedan, doing her best to ignore the fact that she was aroused to such a fiery extent from thoughts of Jin. The ride was smooth, like she rode on a cloud. Hearing a cough outside, she pulled back the silk and peeked out the window. A procession of all the noble witnesses from the Hall of Infinite Wisdom followed her.

  Great, it's a parade. The voice in her head was heavy with sarcasm. She sat back down and sighed heavily. Just put up with it. Soon this will be over. I'll be ‘officially’ engaged to Jin. Their guard will drop and I will get what I came for. This will all be over soon.

  Francesca hummed an absentminded tune. She looked at the shoes on her lap, already regretting that she'd promised to put the torture devices back on. The platforms rested on the red lace veil. Not knowing why she bothered to keep her promise, she slipped the platforms back onto her feet. They were uncomfortable, making her taller, even as they caused her to teeter back and forth since the platform was centered under the middle of the foot and not under the toe and heel.

  Jin owes me for this one, she thought, eyeing the shoes.

  The sedan stopped and she again looked out the window. She was in front of the Exalted Hall. The two doors with the protective gods were opened, held so by a serving man on each side. Francesca didn't move. What were they doing before the Exalted Hall? Could it be? A wedding? No, Fen had said it was just an apology. The woman wouldn't have been able to deceive her.

  "Francesca?"

  Francesca yelped at the sound of Jin's soft voice and jerked back in her seat. Her heart beat hard in her chest and she couldn't speak.

  "What's wrong? You're pale.” Jin reached for her.

  Francesca looked at the opened doors. “What are we doing here?"

  "Apology,” he said.

  There, see, just an apology. Not a wedding. Stop overreacting.

  Still, she hesitated before taking his hand. “What do I have to do?"

  "Just follow my lead. We'll go in, pay homage to the sky and earth, give offerings to the ancestors so they know the seriousness of our claim, drink some shui guo chá and we're done."

  "And that's all?"

  His eyes dropped and he nodded, not looking at her directly as he looked back at the crowd. “That's all. Then it will all be done."

  Francesca nodded, letting him help her down from the sedan as she tugged the lace veil over her head. “All right, then. Let's get this over with."

  Chapter Nine

  The apology ceremony was just like Jin said. He escorted her inside the Exalted Hall and they were left alone with the royal family as they did what they must. They paid quick homage to the sky and earth. Jin's part of the ceremony was more elaborate, consisting of a cap that he put on his head and then left on the altar. Francesca really hadn't paid attention to his whispered words. She'd been too busy cursing her horrible shoes and trying not to think of how great Jin looked in his red ceremonial robe. After he was done with his cap, they left a jug of wine and small pastries on a low altar for Jin's ancestors, and finally drank shui guo chá, a tea spiced with locally harvested red bavine fruit.

  Afterward, Jin led her out of the Exalted Hall. The crowd cheered as he escorted her toward his private chambers. It was slow going because she was forced to take small, shuffling steps in the platforms. She'd never thought her balance training would come in so handy, and in such a bizarre way. The crowd of nobles followed in procession, talking loudly even as the royal family was quiet. Francesca was thankful that they went to the royal sleeping chambers next and even more so when Fen closed the doors, assuring that the crowd didn't enter behind Francesca and the royal family.

 

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