I had missed my only chance to learn the red dragon's name.
Dillon wiped blood from his cheek. 'It is humbling to know I can now call the Rat Dragon and his power,' he said. 'Lord Ido has already shown me the courtesies.' He looked back at the doorway, relaxing when he saw his master had not returned.
I had no way to call the Mirror Dragon.
No way to call his power.
No way to do the Emperor's bidding.
Each thought hit me like a blow to the body. If I could not call the dragon and use his power, I was of no use to the Emperor or my master. Or anyone.
'Are you all right, my lord?' Dillon asked.
No one must know. It would mean my death. My master's death. The Emperor would kill us both.
'Lord Eon?'
I flinched as Dillon tentatively touched my hand.
'Very humbling,' I said, forcing myself to smile.
Beside me, a eunuch pulled out Lady Dela's chair.
'Just a word change,' she said, sitting down. 'The artist is never satisfied.'
For the next few hours, I could not see past my fear or the stark truth that pounded through me: I could not call my dragon. At some point, Lord Ido returned to his seat. More food arrived and I ate until a deep nausea rose into my throat, stopping me from pushing any more into my mouth. The poets read their work and I clapped and smiled, although I did not make sense of the words. Only one verse, spoken by Lady Dela, penetrated my numb sickness: When Sun and Moon rise together Heaven holds the Pearl of Night Bringing darkness to the blinding light And cool relief to a burning land.
Lord Ido's head snapped up. The polite silence in the room suddenly sharpened and I felt everyone's attention focus on him and me. The Emperor began to clap, the Prince quickly joining his father in the ovation. Hurriedly, the courtiers and other guests added their applause. Lady Jila had
won the jade, the young harem eunuch carrying it to her behind the screen.
And then, finally, the banquet was over. We all dropped to our knees as the Emperor was carried out of the room in an elaborate sedan chair, followed by the Prince Heir. I stared down at the mosaic floor, trying to find some distraction from the waves of shivering that had taken hold of my body. Slowly, everyone around me stood, their conversation more relaxed now that the Imperial presence was gone. I felt Ryko's bulk behind me, then his large hand around my arm, hauling me up.
Lady Dela looked at me closely. 'You are not well, my lord?'
I shook my head, afraid to open my mouth in case I vomited.
'I'll arrange for you to be taken back to your apartment.'
She motioned to a stocky eunuch and gave him low-voiced instructions. He bowed then led me across the room, weaving around the groups of chatting guests in such a way that no one halted our progress. I was out in the courtyard before anyone else. The eunuch ushered me quickly along a path that passed between elegant buildings and through courtyard gardens lit by round red lanterns. I breathed deeply as we walked, trying to quell the sickness with the cool night air. I knew I was going to vomit, but not in the Harmony Robe. I had to get back to the apartment.
Finally, the eunuch stopped. 'Your rooms, my lord,' he said, bowing.
Gasping, I doubled over, drawn down by the pain in my gut. I had not recognised the garden or the apartment in the soft light of the lanterns. A shadow stepped off the low platform, solidifying into Rilla as she hurried towards me.
I waved the eunuch away 'Thank you. Go.'
He bowed and disappeared into the gloom. Rilla caught me as I dropped to my knees.
'I'm going to be sick,' I said. 'Get me out of the robe.'
Rilla pulled me up into a crouch, half carrying me to the platform.
'The robe,' I rasped.
She eased me down onto the step and pulled at the sash, working the ties.
'Hold still,' she said. 'It's nearly undone.'
I fixed my eyes on a lamp, panting. The sash loosened and dropped onto the platform. Rilla pulled the robe down off my shoulders. I wrenched my arms out of the sleeves and fell forwards, landing heavily on the gravel path. Sharp stones dug through my thin under-robes, sending hot pain shooting through my palms and knees. The first retch brought up spit and snot. The second, only foul gas that made me cough. The third felt as though I was dragging up my stomach. Then, in a choking stream of half-digested meat, soup, rice and wine, the banquet emptied out of me. Over and over again until it felt as though I was disgorging my very bowels.
'By the gods, how much did you eat?' Rilla said, her hand pressed against my forehead, supporting my head.
But I didn't have time to answer. I heaved with another retch. And another. Finally, it stopped.
I hawked and spat into the carefully cropped grass.
'I'm never going to eat again,' I said, wiping my nose. 'How do the nobles do it night after night?'
'Tonight was nothing,' Rilla said cheerfully She picked up the Story Robe and arranged the bulky folds over her arms. 'Wait until you see the Emperor's birthday feast next month. It goes for three days and nights.'
I slowly pushed myself up onto my feet. The far screen door slid open and two maids hurried out. One wiped my forehead with a cool damp cloth, the other offered me a cup of minted water. I rinsed my mouth and spat onto the grass. If I did not find my dragon's name soon, I would not live long enough to see the Emperor's feast.
CHAPTER 9
The next morning, I was woken by Rilla pulling back the bedchamber shutters. Dull pre-dawn light made the room a landscape of grey shadows, the flicker of red embers in the brazier the only flare of colour.
'Feeling better?' she asked.
I rolled onto my back and blinked away the blur of sleep. New shapes in the corner of the room slowly focused into a small altar — floor cushion, offering bowls, incense sticks, death plaques. I had not even noticed it last night; exhaustion had plunged me straight into a dreamless abyss. At least that deep weariness was now gone, but I was still floating in a warm lethargy. I stretched out my arms and legs, pushing past the sharp catch in my hip.
'Much better. Thank you.'
And then I remembered — I didn't have his name.
I sat up, all lazy comfort gone. Rilla crossed over to the brazier and lifted the water pot off the heat.
'I've got the tea ready' she said, pouring water into a waiting bowl. 'Do you think you can manage some food too?'
My stomach lurched then settled into a hollow ache. 'Maybe a little bit.'
I didn't have his name and no one must know. Not even my master or Rilla. Not yet, anyway.
Rilla whisked the tea then carefully carried it to the bedside table.
'Drink that up and I'll be back in a minute,' she said, heading to the door.
'Can you make it something plain?' I asked.
'No duck, I promise,' she said, smiling. The door closed.
I leaned back against the headboard. Even though the ghost-maker's tea was an arm's-length away, its dank smell was making my stomach turn. I picked it up and stared into the murky liquid. I had to think of some way to find my dragon's name.
Where did one look for the unknowable? Even if I wanted to risk asking someone, there was no one to ask — who would have the Mirror Dragon's secret name except the Mirror Dragoneye? No, the only one who knew the dragon's name was the dragon. And since I did not have his name, I could not call him in order to ask him his name.
I blew on the tea and drank the bowl in one long gulp, clenching my teeth against the vile taste and heat.
And now, whenever I saw the Mirror Dragon, he was shrouded in mist. I couldn't even feel his presence.
Except last night.
The thought made me sit up straight. When Lord Ido was trying to charm me, something had pulled me into my mind-sight. It must have been the red dragon — what else could it have been? He was calling me.