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called Masquerade for their baskets of fish entrails fertilizer when he caught
the scent of food. He didn t look up when the women from the palace arrived
with the midday meal. He kept working. The most uncomfortable part of the day
before had been at exactly this moment. The women had separated into their
little groups to talk and laugh and eat together things that were denied him.
He could guard them, but he would not be accepted by them, not enough to share
a simple meal with them. Last night Mikado had granted him a great gift when
she d shared her table with him, and he silently cursed himself for ruining
the evening.
He could hear the women breaking for the meal. They grouped around the
fountains in the area, letting the garden s clear water wash their hands free
of dirt. Their laughter came easily, and it mixed musically with the sound of
the tinkling fountains. He wondered where Mikado was probably in the middle of
the laughter. She laughed readily, and the women of the realm responded well
to her. He hoped she was busy, distracted enough that she would not notice him
and see how they shunned him. He did not want her pity.
He knew one of the palace servants would soon find him and offer him food and
drink not because she wanted to, but because it was her assigned duty. Without
looking around, he slipped from the rose bed in which he d been working and
headed toward the rose gate. A large tree sat near it, under which he could
call its shadows to him and attempt to cloak himself from prying eyes. There
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he would rest and perhaps drink some of the wine the servant would offer him.
Of course he was hungry, but he would not eat. He could not stand their
stares. It was as if they expected him to fall to his haunches and tear at the
food with his teeth. Perhaps he should! That would cause quite a stir amongst
them. No . . . he stifled a weary sigh. It would cause nothing more than a
reinforcement of their belief that he was, indeed, a mindless, heartless
beast.
There you are! Mikado hurried up to him, a little out of breath. Good thing
you re so tall or I would never have found you out here.
He stopped and looked down at her. She was carrying a large basket. Her hands
and face were wet, as if she had just washed, and as she smiled up at him she
used a fold in her dirt-speckled chiton to wipe a trickle of water from her
cheek.
I completed readying the bed of Masquerade. What is it you would have me do
next?
I d have you eat! She grinned, nodding at the well-laden basket. I made
sure this one had enough for both of us.
He wondered if she could hear the blood rushing in his veins, pumping shock
and disbelief through his body. He drew a deep breath. When he spoke, he
struggled to keep his voice low and for her ears alone.
You should eat with the women, Mikado.
No. They ve already formed their little cliques. If I butted into one, it
would just be awkward, kinda like eating with the boss who crashed a
workers-only party. And as many orders as I ve given them today, I m sure they
need a break from me. Plus, I d rather eat with you, she finished simply.
But it has never
Stop! she interrupted, causing several of the women s heads to turn their
way. In a more sedate, but no less firm voice, Mikado continued. I m tired of
hearing what hasn t been done before. I m Empousa now and things are going to
be different, and not just with the roses.
As you wish, Empousa, he said, using comfortable formality to cover his
turbulent emotions.
Good. Let s go eat under that tree you disappeared beneath yesterday. I want
to take another look at the gate anyway.
As you say, Empousa. He began to walk toward the ancient tree that shaded
the area near the rose gate, careful to shorten his stride so she didn t have
to struggle to keep up with him.
When they got to the tree, he felt a rush of relief when he saw that no group
of women had chosen to eat nearby. With a long sigh, Mikado sat and leaned her
back against the wide trunk of the oak and gazed at the rose gate.
It doesn t look any better than it did yesterday, she said.
It also does not look any worse.
I suppose that s something. You know, I don t sense anything horrible coming
from the forest. If you hadn t told me about the danger there, I wouldn t have
thought the forest was anything more than an old, dark woods.
Dream Stealers choose their time carefully to appear. Remember to be on your
guard always when you are near the gate or in the forest itself.
But you ll be with me, won t you? I mean, I can t open the gate.
He raised a brow at her. Of course you can, Empousa.
Her eyes widened as she looked from him to the gate and back to him again.
I ll be careful, she said. Then she turned her attention to the basket of
food. Let s worry about the forest later. Now, let s eat.
Hesitating only a moment, he sat and made an almost imperceptible gesture that
caused the shadows around them to thicken. He wanted to be able to watch her
without schooling his expression, and that was not something he would do if
the other women could easily see them.
You look tired, he said.
So do you, she countered as she pulled a wineskin from the basket and then
took a long drink.
Your face is pale, Mikado.
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That doesn t surprise me. She tossed him the wineskin and then began taking
cheese and bread from the basket. Mikado glanced up at him. Drink, she
ordered.
He drank, thinking that he could taste the essence left by her lips, and that
lingering touch was more intoxicating than wine could ever be. Then he
realized what she had said and commanded himself to stop daydreaming.
Why is it that you are not surprised by your pallor?
The roses in this part of the garden are sicker than the ones in the east,
she said between bites.
Yes, I thought so, too.
Somehow I m connected to them. They make me feel sick, too.
I guessed as much. You seemed to change when we entered this part of the
gardens.
Do you know if this has happened to any other Empousa?
Each Empousa has a special bond with the roses, he said slowly.
It is in the blood of Hecate s High Priestesses.
I already know that. Even back in Tulsa I had a connection to roses, and so
did all the women in my family. We always have. It s it s a kind of family
tradition.
He thought she looked uncomfortable. Perhaps she missed her family? Or her old
world? The thought made his chest feel tight. Could there be a man for whom
she was pining? Is that why she suddenly sounded so awkward when she mentioned
her old life? Before he could consider asking, Mikado continued.
But what I want to know is have any of the other Empousas felt things because
of the roses?
They may have, but I would not have known. The other Empousas rarely spoke to
me.
She looked surprised. But you re Guardian of the realm. Didn t they need to
talk to you about her hand fluttered in the direction of the rose
wall protection and whatnot?
Each Empousa knew I would do my duty. None felt the need to speak with me
about it. If an Empousa felt that any danger approached, she would call for
me. Other than that, we rarely had the need to speak together. He thought of
the Empousa who had come before Mikado and realized, again, shame at the ease
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