Witch Fall(7)

Stepping closer, he lifted her jaw with a crooked finger, examining her. “Many things. But in this case, exactly what I paid for. You will be one of my concubines.”

Bile rose in her throat. “Never!”

Anger flashed across his face and he leaned forward, so close she could smell the alcohol on his breath. “Some resistance is to be expected—after all, I took you by force. But my patience only extends so far. ”

If being Bian’s captive had taught her anything, it was that escape would only be possible if she lulled her captors into complacency. She backed away, and Han let her go.

“So you really don’t mean to kill me?”

The harsh expression on Chen’s face eased. “You needn’t be afraid. I take good care of the things that are mine.” She backed into the hull as he stalked toward her. She knew he would kiss her. It took all of her determination to hold as still as possible as his lips lightly brushed hers.

He broke away and the backs of his fingers caressed her hair. “Pale as starlight, with eyes the color of the brightest sea.”

“Brother, this may not be the time to woo her,” Han said dryly. “She has just lost everything of her old self.”

Chen frowned. “Ah, yes. My coward of a brother calls for caution.”

Han’s expression was unreadable. Chen glanced around the small space, no doubt noting the bamboo hammock and a few silk pillows. He turned back to study Lilette, indecision playing across his face. Finally, he nodded. “With your song to propel us, we shall reach the bay by morning.”

“But I . . . I told you,” she stammered, “I’ve forgotten all the songs.”

Chen held up a finger. “But you’ve remembered one—the very one I need.”

She gaped at him. “How could you know that?” On the day Fa lay dying, she’d remembered the song to call the wind. She’d used that song to propel their boat to shore to find the physicker. It hadn’t been enough to save Fa.

Lilette didn’t resist as they took her to the upper deck. Her gaze was drawn to her island in the distance, but she quickly looked away.

Chen handed her a copy of the song—he’d obviously come prepared. But she knew this one. It was the only one she remembered.

It was almost a relief to sing herself away, to separate herself from the pain and horror of the last hour. When the ship cut through the waves as fast as the sails could bear, they took her back below decks.

Chen watched her—he’d been watching her for hours. Lilette wasn’t sure how much longer she could resist the urge to try to kill him, regardless of the outcome.

Finally, he backed away from her, his eyes never leaving her. “Truly, you are the most blessed of women.”

And then he was finally gone. Han lingered a moment, staring at the ground, before following his brother out.

Blessed? She’d just been forced from her home, her villagers killed for trying to keep her. Her parents had been murdered, and her sister was gone. How could Chen call her blessed when she’d never see any of them ever again?

Her parents had died trying to escape this fate. Lilette leaned back against the stern, then slid down to rest her head on her drawn knees.



***

The next morning, she woke knowing she wasn’t alone, that someone was watching her. With a gasp, she jerked upright in the hammock to find Chen leaning over her. An amber pendant dangled from his throat. It was set in gold, an emerald-eyed sun dragon curving around it.

Lilette was certain he hadn’t been wearing it yesterday. Slowly, she forced herself to relax, to appear compliant.

“You are very beautiful. Your skin—it’s as golden as white wine and as soft as silk.” He seemed to be waiting for some kind of response. But all she could think of was that he’d finally washed the last of the blood off the side of his nose. How many men had he killed in addition to Bian?

“The proper response to a compliment is ‘Thank you, Heir, or Heir Chen.’ Either honorific is fine.” Chen straightened, and the pendant settled in the hollow of his throat. “You must adjust faster. It won’t be so hard when you come to the compound and have servants to attend you and beautiful things to wear.”

Lilette blinked at him.

He took a step back. “Stand up.”

The only battle worth winning is the one for my freedom, she reminded herself. On a ship full of elite and surrounded by ocean, she could not win. Moving stiffly, she did as she was told. Chen reached out and helped her down. She had to force herself not to recoil from his touch.

He gestured to a package resting on the cabinet. “We’ve sighted Harshen. By midday, we’ll have docked in the harbor. I have brought you something suitable for your station. A maid will attend you shortly.” He waited again. When she still said nothing, he took a deep breath as if calling upon his patience. “Again, a thank you would be appropriate.”