“Are you happy, Kara?”
“I am, Honorable Mother.”
“Good. Al your dreams come true. Your strategy was a success.”
That’s when Kara saw it. How did she miss it the first time?
“You knew.”
Li-Ann rol ed her eyes. “Of course, I did. And your father, natural y.
I’m always amazed how young ones believe their parents are amateurs to be duped. We learned of your plan some weeks ago. We debated our options but ultimately chose to al ow you this gift.”
Kara wanted to laugh. “A gift? Mother, I earned this. I always wanted this, and I worked hard for it.”
“Yes, you did. You learned how to deceive, manipulate, and betray.
What you did to Lang was unforgiveable. The way you held his secrets
over our heads was despicable. You do not realize how close we came to exiling you from our household. Now that we have seen your true face, we know you cannot be trusted, so we never wil again. Our love for you has not been shaken by our anger, but your word wil always be subject to suspicion.”
Her stomach twisted tight, though she expected some sort of chastisement tonight.
“If you can’t trust me, why did you al ow me to transfer?”
“Because we are Syung-Low, and we value our standing above al else. Kara, your betrayal of Lang had the ironic consequence of saving our family. He was on the verge of committing crimes that would have nul ified al the past generations of Syung-Low. We were able to intervene, with the help of silent al ies, to cleanse our connection to that hideous drug. For this, we are indebted.”
“You’re welcome. I think. Were there no sanctions for Lang?”
“His future is not your concern. Speaking of that future, I am curious about your choice of al ies. Ya-Li Taron. Did you work wel with him?”
“He was very helpful.”
“Indeed. And wel -positioned. Yes?”
Chi-Qua entered her ear: “Oh, no.”
“What are you saying, Mother?”
“Ya-Li Taron wil become your husband. The verbal agreement has been reached. Only the negotiations remain. Of course, it won’t happen soon. Both of you need stability and seasoning. We estimate four years. Perhaps a Sanhae wedding?”
Of course. Any fool should have known. It was al too easy.
“And if I refuse?” She asked.
“After you marry Ya-Li, he wil take you into the Taron household.
What you do from there wil be little concern to your father and I.”
“I asked, what happens if I refuse?”
“You won’t. You’l have four years to get used to the idea. He’s a nice boy. He wil grow into a strong man. But, if you make a reckless decision to look elsewhere, Kara, remember this. Anyone may fal from the Gentry. It is as simple as stepping on your own toes. Once fal en, you wil not be able to stand.”
Smug did not begin to define her mother’s broad sneer. Kara refused to show defeat or submissiveness. That girl disappeared along with the Chancel ors and their Ark Carriers.
“I think we’ve said enough for tonight, Daughter. Enjoy the festivities. You like to dance. Yes?”
Once she was clear, Kara spoke to the shel s.
“OK, Chi. So, you were right. Not free. No matter. I have four years to plot my escape.”
“Do you think he was the one behind it al ?”
“Ya-Li?” She looked across the hal and saw him clustered with friends, smoking from his pipe. “No. He’s not clever enough. I doubt he even knows.”
“Then how?”
“You forget. My family works here. They have spies everywhere. Ya-Li probably said the wrong thing to the wrong person. That’s why they’re cal ed spies. Who cares? I intend to have fun.”
“You should, Kara. No matter what your mother says, you won tonight. You won.”
“I did. We’l be here for at least another two hours. You can find your way home?”
“Sure,” Chi-Qua said. “I’m going to grab some extra cake and catch a ride with the Yooni staff.”
“Take your time, Chi. Enjoy. I’m going to remove these shel s.
They’re itching. I’m glad you were with me, more or less.”
Chi-Qua was right. No amount of Li-Ann Syung was going to undercut this triumph.
She grabbed a fresh glass of wine, spied a waiter distributing pipes, and chose a blue one because too many red items clashed. She pul ed hard on the first drag and held it al in her lungs, gathering the ful effect of this world-class poltash. She wasn’t much of a smoker before, but this? Kara looked good with a pipe, a ful glass, a diamond upon her chest, and al eyes fixated on the new queen.
Ya-Li was right. They were talking about her. Honored Gran would be proud.
This Kohlna has the sharpest teeth!
She acknowledged congratulations as she strol ed the hal . The night
did not need to end.
As the crowd thinned, with many moving down to the dance floor, Kara spied an unexpected figure staring back. He was leaning against a column, his eyes fixated.
Lang nodded, his fingers signaling he wanted to speak.
He had not initiated a conversation with her
