Tiger's Promise Read Free Page A

chrysanthemum…”
    “Just a little bit more.”
    “Lily, rhododendron, amaranth, clematis, Calliandra.”
    “There now. You are fully visible. How do you feel?”
    “I feel fine. I did not sense that I was using magic.”
    “We will practice while your father is away. You must be able to control this, Bai.”
    And practice we did. By the time he returned, an all too short four months later,
     the ability to make myself invisible came easily, but try as we might, I could not
     transfer or share the gift with Isha. Our happiness in my new talent soon became resignation
     since I refused to leave my guardian, though she wasted many hours and even more tears
     in trying to convince me to escape without her. Ultimately, we decided not to risk
     exposing the gift, and I mostly remained in my room as I had before.
    During the next few years, there were only a few rare occasions when I used my newfound
     ability. One had been to escape the untoward advances of the few of my father’s men
     who dared risk his wrath. Even as a young girl, I’d been subject to their leers and
     pinches when my father wasn’t looking. They warned me that if I told him what they’d
     done, they would do something horrible to Isha. As I approached womanhood, their threats
     became more commonplace, and they sought out opportunities to catch me alone.
    When one did, I escaped into the next room and willed myself to vanish. Though he
     suspected I’d tricked him somehow, he dared not tell my father, for then he’d have
     to explain the reason he’d been in my chamber in the first place.
    I used my power a few times after that to spy on the guards or to steal little sweetmeats
     to give Isha as presents, but she felt that the risk was too great, and to keep her
     happy, I stopped using my ability unless it was absolutely necessary. Thanks to Isha’s
     vigilance and my gifts, I managed to escape all that meant me harm except for my father.
     The danger should he discover my abilities was undeniable so I suffered his abuse
     in silence.
    Though I would have liked nothing more at the moment when my father circled me than
     to vanish, I gave him a tight smile and steeled my resolve. With a swish of my skirts,
     we were through the door and down the wide hallway, Hajari following silently behind
     us, which meant he was to act as my personal guard for the evening.
    —
    I climbed into the opulent carriage on loan from the king and allowed the air of celebration
     to swirl around me. There was a spark of excitement that invigorated my senses, and
     even though I was with my father, the opportunity to see beyond the walls of my living
     space was so rare that I determined to bask in it and take in every sight and sound.
     Before I could catch myself, I smiled. My father noticed.
    “You look like your mother when we first met.”
    The smile left my face, and I replaced it with a neutral expression before allowing
     the curtain to close and turning toward him. “She was beautiful,” I said indifferently.
     It wasn’t a question or an invitation to open a dialogue but a flat statement that
     I knew to be true. I’d long ago found that it was easier and safer only to answer
     when it was expected and, even then, to say as little as was politely possible. I’d
     also learned not to create falsehoods that my father could easily unravel.
    “Yes. She was,” he answered. “But she is”—he leaned forward—“no longer.”
    I understood his message. He expected men to fawn over me tonight, and my actions
     would be carefully watched. “I understand, Father,” I said and lowered my eyes, clasping
     my hands lightly in my lap.
    After that exchange, he ignored me and conversed with Hajari, who sat entirely too
     near. Through my many layers of silk, I could feel his thigh pressed against mine,
     and from time to time, he purposely moved his leg in my direction, nudging me. Trying
     to disregard him, I slid closer to the window and snuck glances at the