Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
" You put your arm around me, for the first time
You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter,
You are the best thing,
That's ever been mine "
―ON PURE INSTINCT, I wrap my arms protectively around Yi's body as we roll. The discomfort of a branch press against my side forces me up and I release her. She leaps to her feet in an instant, lowering into a fighting stance. I get to my feet and brush myself off, eyes scanning the place.
"Yi―"
"Nikolai, you know how much I adore your dazzling conversation, but I think we're about to die," Yi says, gaze darting around rapidly.
"I do have dazzling conversation," I agree. "And I'm also quite fond of my life, but it would benefit the both of us for me to know why we're hiding in a bush right now."
"Yes, Yizhi. Tell him," a new voice sounds, graceful like polished porcelain and a new tea set, like a fish gliding through the water, scales shimmering. Dignified.
I glance at Yi and see her shoulders have pulled taut as a wire, her jaw set. A figure emerges, clad in deep green silk, hair pinned up and slicked back to near perfection. I raise my eyebrows as the lady's face becomes more and more visible. Pale skin and amber eyes framed by eyelashes that I'm sure could compete with Zoya's.
It doesn't take someone as smart as David to know that this lady is Yi's mother, from the shape of her eyes to the arch of her brow.
Sarnai Kir-Taban.
"Nikolai," Yi says, but her voice is unfamiliar, so quiet and timid. "Meet. . . my mother."
Sarnai smiles, though it looks more menacing than it is welcoming. She takes a step forward, and Yi tenses.
"No further," she warns.
Her mother raises her eyebrows. "So fearful, Yizhi?"
Yi gives her a smile. "Considering that you sent a falcon to try and make a feast of Ravka's second prince's head, I'd consider my caution well-deserved."
Sarnai's piercing eyes narrow and she turns to me. Abruptly, I realize how tall she is. I suppose the gene must have skipped past Yi.
"Not that your presence isn't splendid and cheery, but I'm certain that we didn't have a meeting with the Shu arranged," I say vaguely.
"I'm here on my own agenda," Sarnai responds.
I smile pleasantly. "Wonderful. Do you drink tea? My mother has a wonderful assortment." Assortment being three kinds of floral tea that I'm almost certain are secretly all the same.
