Chapter 13
When Ekiken brought them back to the Cedar Palace, Emperor Takeha and his advisors stood accompanied by eighteen rows of bushi equipped in their battle wear. Armour clanked as though they were on the verge of setting off to battle, but their arms were relaxed, not yet grabbing for their weapons.
They hardly fit in the cramped courtyard outside of the Jyutsu Laboratories, but there was nowhere for the dragon to land. Instead, he stayed hovering and brought his tail curling around to create a column to the ground. Aihi gripped Ekiken’s sides as she slid down the flowery length.
Her feet hit the ground with a jolt, but she steadied herself by holding onto him. “Thank you for the ride. Should you feel threatened while I converse with my father, do not feel obliged to stay.”
“Sho
