Chapter 9: The Gate

Fumika walked down the steps to the gate.

Behind her she heard the whole household come out onto the veranda. The cook. The maids. The kitchen boy with his new pink arm.

Ibuki came last and stood at the top of the steps with his arms folded.

He didn't come down.

The older of the two Watch officers touched his cap to her.

He was grey and tired and looked as if he'd rather be anywhere else.

"Lady Tsukimori. We've had a complaint."

"So I hear."

"Your mother says her daughter was taken from the Hinase graves this morning by the lord of Kurai."

"My stepmother," Fumika said. "My sister asked me to take her. I did."

"Lies," Kinue said. "She's been bewitched. Everyone knows what they do up here."

The young man in the grey suit stepped forward.

He was handsome.

He had his white handkerchief out and was wiping his fingers with it, one at a time.

"Officer, my fiancee is in that house with animals," he said. "I want her brought out."

"The animals can hear you," Ibuki said from the top of the steps. "We have very good ears. It's one of our few virtues."

The younger officer swallowed.

The heir didn't look at Ibuki.

"Keep your beast quiet," he said to Fumika. "Or I'll have the Watch take him too."

"He's my husband," Fumika said. "And he's bound by the pact. The Watch has no business with him."

"Then fetch Kaede."

"She's resting."

"She's my property in five months." He folded the handkerchief. "Fetch her."

Fumika turned to the older officer.

"Before you take her anywhere," she said, "will you look at her face?"

"Fumika," Kinue hissed.

Keep reading free with an account. Start The Bride Who Read the Contract from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.