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A wave of shock descended on her Mariko had not expected hi on you, ould I reveal myself in an effort to spare you?" She pressed her back into the s as she considered how best to redirect the tenor of this conversation in her favor "Did you knoho all the men were as soon as you saw thenize one of thenized Minamoto Raiden It took only a moment’s work to realize the scrawny little brat at his back was the crown prince The re boy in their company took me a bit more time" He shot her a bladed smile "Your attempt to redirect this conversation was rather clever, by the way"

Neverof value Soles in Ōkae how he did not seem nearly as fearsome in person"

"Who?" Mariko was proud that she did not stam about what you already know?"

"I truly don’t knoho the Dragon of Kai is"

Ōkary idiot"

Mariko stiffened "In that sense, you could be speaking about anyone"

"No Hattori Kano would sell his own soul if itfavor And he breeds the sah I will say his son can wield a sith a passable aer listen to him speak ill of her family So she borrowed his own tactic "What did you say to Yua out a reaction

It frustrated her that Ōkami only narrowed his dark eyes onceus," he said softly

"You disappeared Like you’ve been disappearing this entire week When I climbed onto the rooftop to watch the imperial troops, I saw you with her" Mariko chewed on her inner cheek "And you’re a fool to pursue the sairl that Ranmaru loves, too"

A sneer pulled at a corner of Ōkaain In obvious deliberation "Of course I love her" Ōka but his head above the surface The resulting waves rippled against her skin Re her they shared a bath as heated as their words

The very idea set her heart apace She was reht Her earlier wish to kiss hi it was How it had becoer deny

"I see," Mariko said slowly, hating howabout him bothered her

When he did not reply i so Perhaps a course of action Finally he came to a hesitant decision

"Yuht the relief flooding through her and despised herself even more for it "You let your sister become a maiko?"

"She’s safe in Hanami Safer than she would be here in Jukai forest And safer than she’d ever be if anyone in Inako found out who she is Who her faainst the rock, wishing it wouldyou with this, Sanada Takeo Against ment If you tell anyone who Yumi is, I will personally throw you to the jubokko and watch it drain you of your life’s blood without a ht"

"I told you" Mariko stared back at him "I’m not afraid of you"

He did not s"

"Do you wantto me" Ōkae any fool ishes to believe"

"Then what do you want me to say?"

"I want you to tell me you understand that I will kill you--without pause--if you ever betray littered "Do you know the story about the rabbit who played with fire?"

He burned to death, along with all his loved ones

"I understand what you’re saying," Mariko replied

Ōkah her hands balled into fists beneath the water "I understand you will set me to flame if I ever betray you"