She lounged comfortably on the curving slope of the roof with her feet propped against one of the dragon sculptures that doubled as a downspout. A slight, amused smile turned up the corners of her mouth as she watched the maids rushing about calling her name. She stifled a giggle as their tones turned frantic.
“Keiko,” the voice came from behind her and above.
A heavy sigh slipped from her lips as she half turned and glanced up at him.
“Your father would not approve of you teasing them like this,” he scolded.
She pushed herself to her fee. “My father isn’t here. Therefore, he doesn’t get a say in my actions.”
He slid down the tile and stopped in front of her. His arms folded over his chest and he glowered down at her.
With an uttered curse, she a sigh and threw her hands in the air. After another minute, she jumped down and landed in front of the younger of her two maids.
Th slightly older woman screamed in dismay and stumbled back several steps.
A moment later, something soft but solid connected with the back of her head. “That was unnecessary, Keiko,” her older maid scolded. “Your father will hear about this.”
She shot a glare up at the figure receding from the edge of the roof. “If he was that concerned about me and my behavior, perhaps he should . . .” Her words fell away as her gaze fell on the figure striding through the front gate. “Dah,” she breathed and hurried toward him.
With a single, fluid motion, the samurai general swung from the saddle and pulled her against his lacquered, banded-mail chest. “Why do your maids look so distressed?” he asked in her ear. “Especially Aiko.”
She did her best to look innocent.
He frowned and held her out at arm’s length. “Keiko.”
Her brow furrowed to match his. “What? My studies are complete. I even spent time training. Why is it so wrong that I wanted a little time to myself?”
A heavy sigh exploded from his lips and he shook his head.
At that, Keiko took the reigns of his steed and led the animal to the stables. She turned her attention to grooming the horse until Aiko came to call her for dinner. “I’ll be there in just a minute
The World of Terra 