on his stomach in the grass, plunging his hands into the branches. Digging through the leaves, the gardener searched frantically around the bush, before coming to realize he was being watched.
Spinning around, the now pale groundskeeper blinked at the equally stunned court, then pressed his forehead to the grass in the lowest of bows.
“Please forgive!” he cried, but at that moment, the rabbit streaked past him in a tan blur. With a howl, the gardener leaped upright, stick in hand, and chased it to the edge of the trees, where both vanished into the darkness beyond.
Silence fell. Everyone continued to stare into the shadows, as if not knowing what to do. I spared a glance at Yumeko and saw her standing quietly in front of the dais, a small, triumphant smile on her face.
A slow clapping shattered the stillness, making several nobles jump. The emperor rose to his feet, bringing his hands together, a wide smile breaking over his beardless face.
The rest of the court erupted into applause. It swept through the air and swelled above the trees, as the crowd turned as one to face the girl in the center of the garden. Yumeko bowed, humbly accepting their recognition, as the sound of success rose above the trees and scattered to the winds.
30
The Viper in Silk
I let the applause wash over me, listened to it rise and swell, and allowed myself a tiny sigh of relief. Who knew that such a small thing, an illusionary rabbit at the right moment, could charm an emperor? Of course, the appearance of the gardener had not been planned, but his reaction had certainly helped convince the court that what they were seeing was real. I hoped the man would be all right, that the appearance of a single rabbit within the emperor’s pristine gardens would not get him punished, but it was too late to regret that now.
Denga, if you could see me now, I thought, smiling as I met the gazes of Daisuke, Okame and Reika in the crowd. My good-for-nothing fox trickery just fooled the most powerful person in all of Iwagoto, and his entire court. I’ve come a long way from making the teapot dance around the room.
“Brilliant!” As the applause died down, the emperor stepped off his platform, beaming in my direction. “Astonishing. What remarkable talent, Yumeko-san. Would you consider using it in service to the country?” My brows rose, and he smiled, gesturing over the trees toward the palace, glimmering gold against the night sky. “There is an opening in my court for a royal onmyoji. I could certainly use someone with your skills.”
Oops. Well, I suppose there’s such a thing as doing too well. I thought quickly, knowing that refusing the emperor, even now, could have terrible repercussions. “His Highness honors me,” I said with a low bow. “I am grateful for the offer, but there is a...very important task that I must complete, a vow to fulfill, before I can accept.”
“Ah. Of course.” The emperor nodded; even he would not dare suggest one break a promise and risk the dishonor that came with it. “Well, when you are finished with your task, consider returning to the palace, Yumkeo-san. You are always welcome within my court.”
I bowed. “His Highness is too kind.”
“My last onmyoji told me of the coming of the Great Dragon,” the emperor went on, making my stomach leap to my throat. “I thought the story was simply an ancient myth, but he was certain he saw the Dragon rising in one of his visions.” The emperor frowned. “Sadly, he was discovered to be a practicioner of blood magic and executed, and the words of a blood mage are tainted and cannot be trusted. But it would please me to have another onmyoji in my court, to inform me if the Harbinger is indeed approaching, and what I can do to claim its power for my own.”
I felt a crawling sensation under my robes, and looked up into Lady Satomi’s dark eyes, glittering with hostility over the emperor’s shoulder. Only for a moment, before she turned to the emperor and smiled, all traces of menace vanishing beneath a beautiful porcelain mask.
“My lord,” she crooned, gazing at him from beneath long, thick lashes. “The moon is rising. Would you not like to view it from the lake pavilion? The water is very clear tonight—you should be able to see his reflection from above and below.”
“Ah, of course. Everyone!” the emperor called, clapping his hands