CH342

CH341
Ren
I walked through another corridor that reminded me of the corridor that led to Tsuneo’s rooms back in the palace. I made sure to draw my hands along the walls, burning through the depictions of turtles as the rest of the golden light went up through the pillars. The ceiling shifted and groaned as it slowed down to change more than I ever consciously remembered. That had to be Pyra’s memories of the palace at work.
I ran my fingers along the wall, setting more golden light into it to change the texture and all the images.. The mural went from the meeting of the dragon with the claws of a tiger and the blue turtle to depictions of the phoenix slashing the snake in half and blasts of fire that broke the turtle’s shell with a blade of opalescent light.
The air grew warmer, newer as I continued to ascend. The halls were empty and still changing. I made a turn and the doors opened revealing the vault. The piles of wealth were nothing compared to Tsuneo’s vault that had been in the palace, but the main thing in the center of the room caught my surprise.
It was my sword and the daggers Tsuneo had made for me as Morgan. My eyes burned as I approached the shrine of shiny black metal and sleek, beautifully crafted lines that gleamed at me. Beckoning me forward.
Welcoming me home.
I stepped forward reverently, fingers brushing the hilt. As soon as I touched it, the temperature shifted and heat radiated from the blade, recognizing me.
I picked it up and fastened it to my waist. The daggers went on my thighs, and I bit my lip, remembering the moment Tsuneo had given them to me. I trailed the designs of them and smiled.
It was time to go find my husband and tell him all about his terrible former best friend. I turned from the vault and headed to the stairs that led up to the ground floor of the Pearl Palace. I moved through the corridors like a shadow, I hadn’t expected the palace to be so empty. No guards. No resistance. Just the soft echo of my own steps and the occasional murmur of distant preparations.
Then I turned a corner and collided with a man.
He staggered back, wide-eyed, and dropped the stack of silks he’d been carrying, bowing his head.
“Forgive me, Lady Morgan! Please spare me!” he gasped, eyes darting to the sword at my waist, then quickly to the floor. “My apologies, I didn’t realize you were coming this way. A-Are you in need of assistance for your ceremony?”
I stared at him. Lady Morgan?
I frowned, wondering what he was talking about. Then I caught sight of a polished brass wall panel behind him. Not ornate enough to be a mirror, but reflective enough to show me what he saw.
I froze.
The woman staring back at me had short, curling hair, high cheekbones, and eyes that burned gold in the dim light. It was still Ren’s face, but he was calling me Morgan. When could I cast illusions? A soft hissing sound came from the back of my mind.
I smirked. Interesting.
I smoothed my expression before the man looked up again.
“Of course,” I said evenly. “I’ll need a traditional robe prepared for the ceremony. Preferably black. Red is acceptable. You know the style.”
He bowed quickly. “Yes, my lady. Right away.”
“Send it to my room,” I added as he turned to rush off. “And have a mirror brought. I need to see everything clearly.”
He nodded and ran. I watched him go. Then turned on my heel and started walking straight toward the room I was sure she’d been using for her own. My light hadn’t reached this room yet. It was as obnoxious as I expected, but at least her clothes were all accessible.
I got in the shower, smirking.
Within an hour, I was dressed again as if I had walked straight out of our previous life, down to the bracelet he’d made in the life before in an ancient jewelry box. Gauntlets, armor and all hidden within the robes, I headed out.
She wanted a ceremony? She was going to get one.
But not the kind she’d dreamed of. I’d have to apologize to Tarofu since I planned to take her head myself.
I’d leave it to Pyra to console his disappointment.


Ryuu
I tugged at the cuff of my jacket, frowning at the light spilling in through the windows. It had been dusk when I left Tora’s office. Now the sun blazed overhead like it had never dipped below the horizon.
Odd, I thought, squinting against the glare. The world felt tilted—off in some subtle but undeniable way. My instincts were crawling under my skin. Buzzing like I should be excited. And I was in a weird way.
I was more irritated than excited though as I realized that I was the only person who seemed to have realized that time had jumped forward in what seemed like a second. It meant whatever I had caused it was definitely only affecting regular people, and thus likely the work of a celestial. Since there was only me and Morgan and I didn't do it...
Unless it was Ren?
I smirked at the thought, itching to find out what Ren had done.
I drove to the Pearl Palace’s city and walked inside. I knew it had once been beautiful, but I remembered how quickly I had come to loathe it. But today, some of that beauty I had sensed long ago had returned. The veneer of it seemed to be glowing a little in the bright, odd, sunlight. I got out of the car with a sigh, straightening my jacket and trying not to grind my teeth as I drew closer to the door. My entourage had already arrived and was stationed around the perimeter with only a few of my closest men following me inside.
I walked inside. Morgan’s father was already fussing in the room. It was the ballroom. I'd been there at least a hundred times for various functions, but it never looked so... pretty until now. There were banquet tables and platters all set up. It was decorated, but that wasn't why exactly I found it such a beautiful room this time. There was something about the walls that had changed, something about the air that was different, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I suppose it had something to do with what Ren had managed to do. And I would find out soon.
He turned to me, flushed and snapped at me. “You’re wearing the same thing you wore last night!”
“And?”
He scowled. “What do you think this is? Where are your brothers? The photographers will be here any moment!”
“There’s no need for any of that. And there will be no photographers.”
He scowled. “How dare you disrespect my daughter, your future--”
“As I told your daughter, Tora, she’ll me married to me on paper, but she will never be my wife.”
He narrowed his eyes. “This is my little girl’s wedding, you can’t do this to her! I could have ---”
“You still can.” I met his gaze. “I’d welcome it, as I’ve said before.”