The Time It Takes To Fall

Prologue

China, 1615 A.D.

Prince Kaito rushed through the palace halls, his heart thundering in time with the rapid pace of his feet. He was running out of time— he may have already lost her for all that he knew. She could be dead by now.

Horrible visions of sanguinary executions colored his vision, pushing the young prince to his fastest pace. His breaths came in gasps and his flowing red changshan trailed him like a river of blood.

Kaito wasn't sure how his father had discovered Selene, but he had. Perhaps someone had seen them together in the gardens at midnight, or simply discerned his change in manner around her. It had been torture to treat his lovely Selene like an ordinary servant, but he had done so for her own protection. No one could know.

But now they did— and the prince had no clue as to who among his trusted few had deceived him.

Of course, Nainsi had known from the beginning. The old woman had practically raised Kaito, and she knew him better than any other person in the world— aside from his dear Selene. Nainsi had been excited for Kai, though, helping him to woo the maid he had grown so fond of. She had encouraged him to pursue the secret courtship despite his betrothal to Princess Levana of the Lunar Isles.

Konn Torin, his closest friend, would just as soon cut off his own arm than betray Kaito's trust. Torin believed in loyalty above all else, and as the son of the head of military, Kaito knew that he would stay true to any oath of secrecy.

That left only Selene, and her life was on the line. There was no way she would expose herself, knowing that discovery meant inevitable death on her part.

So how had his father discovered them?

The ornately carved wooden doors appeared before Kaito and he shoved them open, not pausing to notice the abnormality of no imperial guards blocking his way.

Pushing his way into the grandeur throne room, the prince examined the area, eyes roving with fervor. The room was large— fit for an emperor— but quite empty. Within moments, Kaito could see what he was looking for. His entire body relaxed.

Before the prince sat his father upon the mighty throne. Guards flanked him on both sides, their swords drawn in a manner that insinuated protection. And indeed, they were protecting him— the emperor— from someone who meant him both no harm and all the harm in the world.

Selene.

"Father," Kaito spoke, his voice booming despite the tremor in his hands. "What is the meaning of this? Why are you terrorizing this lowly maid?"

Emperor Rikan sneered, his teeth glinting yellow against his waxy skin. "You know the exact reason, my son."

A chill ran down the prince's spine, but he held his stance. With one hand placed upon the hilt of his sword and the other on the sheath, Kaito strode forward. His face showed as much emotion as a brick wall, all hiding the screaming agony bubbling beneath his skin.

"I bid you to tell me, father— for I bear no foreknowledge of trespass on behalf of this servant." Words slid from Kaito's mouth like slithering snakes. He had grown accustomed to constant lies while growing up among monarchs. The consistent whisper of untruths was as familiar to Kai as his own heartbeat.

"Lies, you spew as though they be of your foreign tongue. But no more shall you beseech your ruler— your father— to heed unto them. No more will I listen of your lies." The emperor glared upon his son, his entire demeanor stony and impenetrable.

"Did you not know that your betrothed watched you in the garden under last night's moon? She gazed upon you while you placed your lips upon that of a loathsome servant woman. What say you? Did you not spend the moon's hour with a creature with whom you are not betrothed?" Spittle flew from the emperor's mouth as he yelled. His eyes bulged and his face became purple with rage.