So she would be alone here. Good. That would make it easier to escape. “What about the older ones?”
Wang shot her a quizzical look.
“The older children,” Lilette clarified as they stepped onto the porch of the house. “You said the younger ones live here. Where do the older ones live?”
“At twelve, all children are taken to the mountain palace.” Wang slid the screen door open and strode inside the house. “The boys are trained as soldiers or monks. The girls are trained in the wifely arts.”
Lilette placed her hand protectively on her belly as resolve hardened within her. I will find a way out, she promised herself before following Wang inside.
Before her was a long room. In the center was a short table surrounded by delicately embroidered cushions. A small, cold brazier stood off to the side. Screens partitioned both ends of the house, which smelled of lemon oil.
“Your personal servant is still being chosen. Until then—” Chief Wang uncovered a tray filled with tea, fresh fruit, and spring rolls stuffed with fresh vegetables. “I had this brought a few moments ago. Your servant will arrive to groom you before the heir comes sometime tomorrow.”
“Not tonight?” Lilette held her relief at bay until Wang confirmed it.
“He wanted to give you time to adjust.”
She hid her shudder by studying the intricate, four-clawed dragons carved into the beams along the walls and spine of the house. She ran her fingers lightly over one of the sharp claws, wondering how many hours the carver had spent chiseling away at the beam.
“I must warn you, if you pass the compound’s gates, you will be beaten. If you ever leave the harem walls, you will be killed.”
After staring her down, Wang left. “And don’t feed the monkeys!” he called back. She didn’t move until he crossed the garden and shut the gate behind him. Already, Lilette’s senses were dulled by whatever he had drugged her with.
She searched the home, looking for anything useful for her escape—knives or rope, or jewels she could sell. Nothing in the main room. She slid open one of the side screens to reveal a bare room—two sleeping mats lying side by side. Her mouth suddenly dry, she quickly shut the screen.
It was becoming harder to focus. She shook her head to clear it and crossed the room to the other silk screen. Behind it were shelves with pottery and baskets and another sleeping mat, obviously for her servant. She rifled through the baskets, but they were empty of all but a trace of rice or leaves. No knives. Not even a bit of twine. So she’d have nothing but her wits and her body. It would have to be enough.
Back in the main room, Lilette knelt before the tray of food. She shoved all but the rice and one of the rolls inside a tea towel she’d found in the second room, then tied off the towel and stuffed it into her robe. Starting toward the door, she nibbled on the tangy roll she’d saved, but at the thought of the two sleeping mats side by side, her throat grew so tight she could barely swallow.
She strode outside. The monkey called at her. Remembering Wang’s parting comment, she tossed the roll to the base of the tree. The monkey snatched it and raced back up. Just as she reached for the gate, the full effect of the drug slammed into her.
She reeled back, wavering on her feet. Her legs went limp and she collapsed in a heap. Before she knew what was happening, everything went dark.
Chapter 5
Lilette once told me she didn’t trust beauty—hers or anyone else’s. That it was a great illusion. ~Jolin
Lilette woke to a clinking sound. She found herself on the cushions beside the short table. Someone had moved her. Fighting the exhaustion still dulling her senses, she pushed herself up on her elbows and saw a kneeling woman placing a teapot on the brazier. She wore an ankle-length tunic and trousers of fine black silk. Her hair was piled on her head and held in place by chopsticks.
Lilette glanced out the open screen. The light had gone soft—it was evening. She’d slept nearly half the day. She moaned in frustration.
The woman poured some food into a copper pan. It sizzled and immediately sent the dark, sweet smell of brown sauce into the air. But what should have smelled delicious only made Lilette’s stomach turn. She rolled her knees under her, the towel stuffed with food sticking damply to her side. “Who are you?”
“My name is Sima. I have been assigned as madame’s servant. I will live with you and see to all your needs. Today, I am to prepare food and begin preparations for madame before the heir comes tonight.”
Lilette’s head jerked up. “I thought he was coming tomorrow.”
Sima pursed her lips. “Is he? Good. That will give us more time.”