Missed

Unknown Feelings

The rest of the way, he didn't speak or mention anything. It took two days to get to their walls, and now that we've arrived, we were immediately forced to see Lord Shinji, to be questioned. Saizo stood beside me as we walked to the palace. When one man tried to reach to touch me, Saizo would push their hands away.

"Don't you dare touch her!" He growled.

The men laughed. "You are our captive." The man stepped up to him. He was about half of Saizo's height, I couldn't help but giggle on the inside. "Hold your tongue, or you will both get the bad end of the stick." He reached out to me again, but an arrow shot his hand. The men gasped and looked at where it came from as the man yelled.

"Lord Shinji." They each bowed as we kept our composure.

"You dare touch a maiden before she sees the Lord of the palace?" Lord Shinji gave him a smirk. "You must really wish to die."

"My...apologies, milord." He winced as he bowed, holding his hand.

I looked up at Lord Shinji. This is the man that I will need to kill? He was very young, probably the same age as Saizo. He had long black hair, and his skin was as pale as snow. He wore royal black clothing with a gold waist band. He handed his bow to one of his assistance, and they all walked down the stairs, to meet us. As he got closer, a smile formed on his lips as he casually looked me over. He stopped a few feet from me, and held my gaze. His eyes were light brown but, as dark as death.

"I am Lord Shinji, what brings you to my palace?" He asked.

I gave a short bow, as did Saizo. "We are merely traveling across the country."

He raised his eyebrows. "Is that so? What is it that you do?"

"My sister gives men company as they drink." Saizo answered for me.

"Sister?" Lord Shinji murmured the word as he stared at me with eyes full of amusement and desire. "And what is it, you do, brother?" He asked without looking away from me.

"I accompany her with my music."

Lord Shinji's eyes finally break from mine, and he looked at Saizo. "Where are your instruments then?"

"Your men confiscated our horses. They will be in their pouches."

"Very well...I'll have you both join us this evening to..." he trailed off and looked at me. "...entertain me." He waved his hand and his assistants bowed. "They will set up a room for you both."

"I do not wish to be separated from my brother." I said, as I glanced back at Saizo. "After all, a maiden such as myself, cannot lay with a man and be alone in a house full of men without protection." I set my boundaries, and a wider smile grew on his lips as I looked back at him.

"It shall be done." He whispered.

While our room was being prepared, we were under supervision as Lord Shinji had other matters to attend to. We sat on a bench in the palace, which looked over where he ruled.

"Sister?" Saizo whispered beside me.

I looked around, all of the guards were on high alert, and watching us. "Yes, brother?"

"It seems as though Lord Shinji took a liking to you."

"Is that so?"

He fell silent.

"He didn't ask for our names. I wonder why..." I trailed off as one of Lord Shinji's assistants came and led us to our rooms.

We searched the room for anything that looked suspicious, or with anything that would allow them to spy on us.