The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea(23)

A man steps off the bridge, followed closely by two others. They have tall, wiry bodies, dark hair, and black eyes, though something about their appearances seems familiar. They enter the pavilion, moving swiftly and silently through the crowd. Behind them, the lake is empty. No sign of the snake creatures. And yet, as I watch these men prowl nearer, I have the distinct impression that the great beasts haven’t vanished. They walk among us.

The first of them reaches Shin, giving a short, succinct bow. “Lord Shin.”

“Ryugi.”

“We’ve come to bear witness for the Goddess of Moon and Memory. Where is the soul of the Sea God’s bride?”

Shin hesitates for a brief moment, then speaks, his voice carrying across the pavilion. “I don’t have it.”

Murmurings break out in the crowd. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the tall lord of Crane House lean over to whisper something into the stout lord of Tiger’s ear.

Ryugi frowns. “I don’t believe you. You’ve never shown up without it.” His hooded gaze sweeps the assembled people. “You must have the bride. Where is she?”

Shin’s eyes flit briefly to the Red String of Fate. By now it’s clear the string is invisible to everyone but us. “I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

Ryugi steps forward with a growl. “What is this? Do you defy the goddess?”

I try to remember if I know anything about the Goddess of Moon and Memory, but though I’m familiar with most of the gods and goddesses of the realm, I have no knowledge of her.

She must be a powerful goddess, to command such a force of creatures.

When Shin doesn’t immediately respond, Ryugi grows visibly frustrated, his nostrils flaring. His eyes appear to glow with a haze of red. “The goddess will have an answer, Lord Shin.”

“She’s no goddess of mine,” Shin says coldly.

Immediately the two men standing behind Ryugi bare their teeth and reach for their swords. Namgi mirrors their actions, slipping a dagger from his belt, a wild, gleeful expression on his face.

Kirin’s calm voice interjects from beside me. “No need for bloodshed. The Sea God’s bride is here.” He pushes me, and I stumble forward.

A brief silence follows as everyone in the courtyard stares. Then Ryugi snarls at Kirin, “You dare to mock us, Silver One? If she is a bride, then I need new eyes.”

His comment draws nervous laughter from the crowd.

“If you doubt my words,” Kirin says, “bring her to your goddess. She will see the girl is human and whole of soul.”

A low baritone voice interrupts, Lord Tiger speaking from where he stands. “And what would keep the goddess from killing the girl and taking power for herself?”

“If she is the bride, then where is the Red String of Fate?” This question comes from Lord Crane, who watches me carefully with sharp, intelligent eyes.

“Through a series of strange occurrences, the bride’s tie to the Sea God has been broken and her soul returned to her,” Namgi says. “The strangest of those occurrences being a failed theft in this very house not but half an hour ago. Who is responsible for sending the thieves has yet to be determined, but if you have suggestions for who might have betrayed us, my lords, I am all ears.”

This threat has its intended effect. Both Lord Crane and Lord Tiger step back, appearing unwilling to argue further.

“Lord Shin is a loyal servant,” Kirin continues as if he hadn’t been interrupted. “He would not let you take her if she truly was bound to the Sea God.”

Ryugi growls. “We’ll take the girl, but if we find out you’ve been lying to us, the wrath of the goddess will be upon you all.” Ryugi nods in my direction, and one of his henchmen approaches.

I reach for my great-great-grandmother’s knife. Somehow I know that going with them would be worse than having my soul stolen. A powerful goddess, yet I have no knowledge of her. My grandmother often said that the most dangerous of gods are the ones who are forgotten.

Shin steps in front of the henchman before he can reach me. “Kirin, no matter his good intent, does not speak for me.”

Kirin bows his head and steps back, all deference, though I notice the clenching of his jaw.

Ryugi has clearly grown impatient with these proceedings, narrowing his eyes. “If her soul truly has returned to her, then you will not protest our taking the Sea God’s bride.”

“She is not the Sea God’s bride,” Shin says.

Ryugi growls. “Playing games, Lord Shin? I’m running out of patience. If you won’t give me the bride, then I’ll—”

“She is my bride.”

A stunned silence follows this statement. Kirin looks up, shocked. Behind Shin, Namgi grins from ear to ear.

Ryugi blinks. “Lord Shin, I don’t understand.”

“Tell your goddess that I have taken a bride. If she wishes to meet Lady Mina, she may visit, or wait until the wedding. As it is, my bride stays with me, where she is safest. She is human, after all.”

“Wedding?” I whisper.

Shin’s cautious gaze meets mine. “At the end of the month,” he says. He attempts to communicate something with his eyes. At first I don’t understand. Then I remember the words I spoke to him earlier, before the thieves appeared to steal my soul. Let me help you. Perhaps this is his way of telling me that he accepts.