Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

left his sight.
    He had more reason than ever to succeed tonight. This was beyond destiny. With a sigh, he turned back and knelt beside his bed, pulling up the loosened board of wood. Bao had not said whether he returned Chien's feelings, but that was simply something further to look forward to. Once the throne had been set to rights and Mai punished, then he could ask.
    The truth was, he didn't need to. Chien had never truly believed that Bao had betrayed him, but it was hard to forget that his mother had been betrayed by the sister-in-law she had trusted with her life. But Bao had broken his oath for him.
    Chien lifted the box Bao had brought him as a gift, a small smile on his face. There was no way he could look at this gift and not understand Bao's feelings toward him. Not unless he was blind. He set the box to the side and reached for another box within the hiding space. This one was a beautiful box in dark wood, decorated along the edge with the faded writing of a protection charm.
    His mother had given him this box before ordering him to hide. It was important that he keep this safe, never open this box. It had been years before he had understood why his mother had ordered such a thing. Then had come the question of when it would be the right time. When would he know? When would he be ready?
    Because there was one other thing he feared even more than the thought that he might forgive his aunt's betrayal. The sword of his ancestors, the sword of the Dragon. He knew the power contained within this box. The protection charm was not to keep the sword safe, but rather to keep them safe from the sword itself. It had been a long time since an emperor had been forced to draw the Sword of Heaven. Chien lifted the box into his lap, fingers dancing along the edge where the box would open.
    Was he worthy of this sword? What if he tried to grasp it and found that he was as bad as his aunt? For a moment he faltered. Then he tightened his fists, remembering his resolve. Mai would pay. Not only for what she had done to his mother. Not only for what she had done to his sister, but for the suffering she had inflicted day after day over the past thirteen years.
    Opening the box felt a bit anticlimactic. There were no explosions or bright flashes of light. The Dao that lay against the lining was perfectly serviceable if a little ornate. The hilt was golden, but when Chien grasped it, it didn't have the soft give of gold. Instead, it was warm in his hand. Not burning, but in a pleasant way. He'd felt this presence before, in the grove.
    And just that easily, it settled around him, accepting him, welcoming him. The sword was his. The throne was as well if he could claim it.
    No, there would be no 'if's. Standing, he turned back to see Bao's gift sitting behind him. It was highly inappropriate. His aunt would hate the color, hate the insult it would represent to wear the style of Xing in her court. But now was hardly the time to begin caring what she would think.
    And perhaps, for the first time, love did not feel so much a weakness.
    ****
    The guards who escorted him to the Hall of Dragon's Claw did so with the somber manner of escorting a man to his death. And likely they believed that would be the case. They knew only the prince who appeared more child than man.
    Chien's hands tightened around the hilt of his weapon, but he did not allow himself to falter, to look anything less than completely confident in his place and in his victory. This throne was his destiny, a destiny Mai had stolen from him, a destiny he would reclaim. Still, his hands shook slightly because this was the end. Talking was cheap, planning was nice, but in the end it would come down to his strength versus that of his aunt's.
    The Empress sat upon her throne, her posture relaxed and a small smile upon her face. Of course she could be confident. She had no intention of playing fair. The first time she had abandoned her honor had likely been the most difficult. Each time since then would have become easier until the only way she could see victory was through betrayal and dishonorable acts.
    She would bathe the Throne of a Thousand Swords in blood, and that could be allowed no longer.
    "Nephew, I have taken the liberty of securing a weapon for you."
    "That will not be necessary." Chien pulled the dao from his belt, watching the way her eyes widened as recognition dawned upon her face.
    "Where did you get that sword?" A hush fell over the spectators as they too