Something Beautiful and Wicked

She was unsure about where she was, but she could see the dampness of the walls nearby from the dim light; she could smell the salty air that escaped through the cracks, most likely caused by rain. She could sense that she was somewhere abandoned and long forgotten.      

She tried to wriggle out of the bonds again, but it was pointless. It was tightly wrapped around her wrists and ankles, and it was chafing against her skin. Shi Ailin gritted her teeth.      

The Emperor had left behind some people to watch her, and there was nothing she could do until she's freed.      

She kept waiting, thinking, strategizing and waiting until—after what felt like an eternity—Shi Ailin dozed off, still seated. She hadn't slept in over a full day and night, and despite her fear, she was exhausted.      

Shi Ailin dreamt of her father, his face coming to her vividly. He was bandaging her bloodied knee when she was a child. 'Why aren't you crying?' his cool voice questioned, looking up at her. 'It looks like you're on the verge of tears.'      

She sniffed, rubbing her watery eyes. 'Yenni doesn't cry when she's hurt.'      

Her father sighed. 'It's okay to cry, Ailin' he assured her, fastening the end of the bandages. 'Having feelings, showing them is not a weakness. You're overwhelmed with compassion and empathy; it's a noble trait, something that your older sister and I lack, and many others."     

Shi Ailin widened her eyes.      

'It's your choice on how you live,' he said. 'I don't want you to live your life based on expectations, or compare yourself to anyone.' He paused to think. 'That didn't work out for some people I was once close to.'      

Shi Ailin sniffed again. She sucked in a sharp breath. Her father faced her and smiled. 'It looks like you chose not to cry.'      

'It's my choice,' she replied.      

He ruffled her hair gently. 'Well, then,' he said. "Maybe you are just like us.'      

Shi Ailin smiled at him broadly. 'I want to try again.'      

'But you're hurt,' he responded.      

Shi Ailin stood up. 'That's okay! I will only get stronger.'      

He smiled at her. 'All right then,' he said, watching as his youngest daughter run up to Master Wong, going over their practice and training.      

Shi Ailin opened her eyes.     

Judging from the darkness that emitted through the cracked walls, Shi Ailin predicted it was night outside, despite having no concept of what time it was. She could have been captured shorter than she knows. She could have been here trapped longer than she thinks.     

She heard footsteps, and her head snapped to look at the men that were posted to watch her. It wasn't coming from them, but it was growing louder and louder. The Emperor had walked in again, wearing nothing but black, covering his entire body. Shi Ailin was growing tired. She was tired of this nameless and faceless man. Just who was he?     

He pulled up a chair and sat in front of her, doing nothing else.      

"Are you trying to intimidate me?" she questioned.     

He didn't answer.     

"It's not working," she said and meant it. "Besides, I doubt my sister will come for me. She won't sacrifice lives for the sake of mine. You underestimate her strength. Just because we're sisters, doesn't mean she's not prepared to accept this loss."      

"She's coming," was all he answered.     

Her lips thinned. She didn't understand why she was kept alive? Not that she wanted to die, but it was strange, and she needed answers, even if it cost her to get them.      

"Why don't you just kill me? I'm needed, yes, but it doesn't matter if I am dead or alive, right?" she challenged.      

The Emperor looked at her, but she couldn't see his expression. "You really are courting death," his withdrawn voice said. "If you truly believe that, then what will stop me from killing you?"     

Shi Ailin's lips quivered. "I just don't understand what's going on. Who are you, anyway?"     

The Emperor didn't answer, and it surprised her. He sat upright on his chair. "That doesn't matter," he said.     

She gritted her teeth. "Are you the one that killed my parents?"     

"Your parents…?" he questioned, wondering what she meant.     

Shi Ailin widened her eyes, surprise overcoming her face. But…but…of course, she thought. The truth then settled in her like shock waves. The Emperor wasn't the one that killed them, but she had a feeling that she knew what happened to them.      

"What do you want with Shi Yen?" she asked, not sure if he was willing to answer that question.     

"To legitimize my role as the Emperor, I must fight her in combat."     

Crap! Shi Ailin thought. A fight to the death. Luo Wanting had told her about these types of Underworld battles.     

Shi Ailin had to think of something—do something.      

"Don't think of doing anything foolish, or I'll kill you this instant," he said. "I can tell that there's more to you than a frail girl; otherwise, Shi Yen would have barged down every door, causing a scene, leaving a trail of bloodshed to find you," he leaned forward. "But she hasn't. Which means that you are more than what you appear."     

Shi Ailin was surprised that she wasn't even dead yet. Nothing was making sense. The curiosity about his identity and his role was killing her. Was this man even the Emperor?     

"That hasn't stopped you before," she said. "With all the bloodshed and chaos you've created."      

The Emperor didn't move. He didn't make a sound. But Shi Ailin could guess that his expression was long and hard. "If I were you, I'd shut up," he warned. "I wonder what would happen if your sister saw your corpse strapped to a chair. She'd either kill every person in her path, or she'd break and die a pitiful death. But I need her whole and ready to fight me."     

So was he expecting her arrival? Waiting for her to come? Wouldn't it be easier just to tell Shi Yen where he was? But then…maybe he was placing obstacles for Shi Yen before she got here? It's possible she wasn't coming alone, and perhaps he had prepared for it.      

Did that also mean that he feared Shi Yen?      

She then realized that he already anticipated Shi Yen's moves, which is why he appeared to be so calm. And the worst part is that Shi Ailin might be forced to watch the battle in the bonds that kept hold of her body. If her fists weren't already clenched, Shi Ailin would curl them. Shi Ailin felt useless in her position. But if she could get out, she could prove to be useful.