In the following week there were many knocks. At door and windows alike. Her food delivery had been paid by the soldiers to the bafflement of her normal delivery person and it seemed they’d took it upon themselves to add to her order. On top of that a ledger with an account that held all of the remains of her mother’s dowery was also dropped through the mail slot.

  Her spirits had attempted to go out and get it but the new copy, smirked at them and talked one-sidedly to them as her walked right up too the door and knocked louder then most of the other knocks. He also shouted ear splittingly loud.

  “My name is Nol. Send out something with Lemon next time.”

  Nol, she decided, was too loud. Still, she sent out lemon tea and lemon cookies and watched him loudly proclaim to Drenit that he was now the favorite.

  The knocks were becoming comfortable. The one sided information left as well.

  Then Azale found the letter. She opened it and frowned. She liked numbers. Numbers were simple. The Empire had one system for numbers; the Empire though had seven forms of writing each determining status and position. As a child who always found herself having to hide, she did not have the benefit of learning the higher-class scripts such as Lodoshine. She found it to be an accomplishment that through her sisters she knew how to guess them apart.

  Azale didn’t’ understand why they could just use the common script understood and taught to most everyone.

  She got by with some of the fancier threatening letters by having a spirit translate them but at the moment seeing as Sashi, her usual translator had to deal with her spiritual responsibility and none of the other spirits knew either. She left the letter on her desk unread.

  So, Azale was not prepare for the loud procession of echoing arguments from well dressed individuals being blocked off by the guards as the Emperor made his way to her door. He expectantly knocked at her door. She didn’t want to answer it but an Emperor was an Emperor and she was taught too much respect in hosting by Sashi to insult him by not opening the door.

  He looked her and most likely her unable to be tempered irritation.

  “Did you not receive my invitation?” He asked her his tone booming and fierce though directed outside and not at her. She wanted to cover her ears. Maybe Nol wasn’t the loudest.

  “I can’t read Lodoshine.” She informed him shifting back warily. The Emperor though seemed to relax at her words his tone gentling.

  “Yes, I apologize for that I thought you might have come across the knowledge in one of your previous lives.” He offered. Azale sighed and rubbed her eyes.

  “No, I’m not usually born through a summoning of a noble and the few times I have been born to higher-class families, they usually made moves to use me and my spirits or saw me as too much of a threat to keep around.” Azale offered blandly. “So I didn’t stick around long.” She added.

  The Emperor nodded.

  “I would like to come in.” He stated. Azale frowned he came at the worst time Sashi would have adored entertaining an Emperor. Azale though welcomed him in and guided him to the better of the seating arrangements.

  He looked around as if assessing the place that was more broken then it was before because of his insistent rampage at his last visit.

  Azale perched on her preferred chair and a spirit floated through a wall his lopsided long face staring blankly into the distance carrying tea and some of the newest batch of cookies she’d made. Azale brightened. “Hin! Thank you so much! Oh you did so well.” She complimented freely as Hin placed down a tray and hovered back against a wall.

  Her dishes weren’t anything to write home about but they were clean and had little flowers on them. The Emperor glanced only a moment at Hin before frowning at her favorite plates.

  “You know what these flowers are?” He asked. Azale crossed her arms.

  “Of course, but what else would you expect in a Manor called Nightshade, that’s haunted by spirits, with a little girl who might just be a spirit herself. I think they fit perfectly.” Azale grumbled. The Emperor paused then smiled at her. Azale ignored the smile stepping forward to do as Sashi had shown her hundreds of times before and pour the tea decoratively. Before she could show off though the Emperor took the pot from her.

  “You’ll burn yourself.” He offered pleasantly but dismissively. Azale frowned at him.

  “I’ve poured tea before.” She grumbled. The Emperor looked at her and sighed pushing a cup toward her in silent question. She nodded.

  Then she brightened seeing the little decanter.

  “Honey? I collected it myself.” She offered grinning at her hard work. The Emperor paused and his face softened before taking a spoonful and mixing it in.

  Azale was finding the Emperor harder and harder to read. Even when he bit into one of the cookies she couldn’t tell if he liked them or if he just always maintained that annoyingly unreadable face.

  He caught her stared.

  “What is it?” He asked. Azale hunched and looked away. It was rather silly to be waiting with bated breath to see if he liked her cookies.

  “Only the spirits and the Guards have tried my cookies.” She murmured. “The spirts like anything I make, and I have avoided talking to the Guards.” She admitted. The king raised his brows.

  “You made these?” He asked. Azale nodded.

  “You did very well.” He complimented. Azale felt a fluttery pride in her heart. The Emperor relaxed noticeably.

  “Azale, would you mind if I asked you a few questions?” He asked taking another cookie. Azale paused considering.

  “About this life or others?” She asked cautiously. His lips twitched downward.

  “This life. The current life of my daughter.” He clarified the red in his eyes intensely set on her. Azale nodded bracing for what direction the questions would go.

  “Do you know all who knew about you?” He asked. Azale relaxed and stood.

  “Oh, give me a moment I have a file.” She offered brightly then slowed. “My handwriting is not the best because I’m small but everything in it is good information.” She insisted before making her way to the office and finding it her file of vengeance.

  Before she left the office she heard Hin’s audible blaring screech. Azale ran back to the living area to find the Emperor still there and Nol picking out the lemon cookies and munching them fully ignoring the siren like noise pounding out of Hin six inches from his face. She glared at Nol holding the file to her chest.

  “I didn’t let you in.” She pointed out. Nol cocked his brows and smirked.

  “Yeah, well. I wanted a cookie.” He informed her eating another. Azale sighed.

  “It’s fine, Hin, I’ll allow it.” Azale offered softly. Hin stood up strait again silencing and gliding back to where he preferred to perch at the wall.

  Nol glanced back at Hin.

  “What’s up with that guy anyway?” He asked.

  “Hin is the spirit of the hanging forest. He doesn’t like unwelcomed guests.” Azale informed him and watched both men grow uncomfortable. “His job is very difficult and when it starts to become a bit too much he likes to come here and help me make cookies, or get groceries, or hang out and do something with his hands.” Azale listed motioning to where Hin stood slowly embordering her favorite flowers into the beaten tablecloth they’d found tucked away.

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  Azale held out the folder that had every threatening letter she’d received and ever notation of who visited the house as early as she could remember.

  “I also have noted on who are the most likely to have sent assassins.” She offered. The Emperors eyes blazed.

  “There have been assassins?” He asked. Azale bobbed her shoulders feigning a lack of care despite the anxiety that always lingered in the manor.

  “Not very good ones. Mostly the spirits scare them away and they run. I think only two were eaten and one got knocked into the spirit portal so he’s either dead or wandering for eternity.” Azale explained. Nol snorted.

  “You don’t even blink.” He offered a twist of interest on his face that had her rolling her eyes.

  “I’ve died many times mostly because someone has killed me. I don’t much like dying and I don’t much like killing but we’re used to it.” Azale offered glancing at Hin who slowed looking at her and she knew they were used to it but it still rattled everyone.

  “Nol, you can pester your sister some other time.” The Emperor brushed him away and Nol nodded focusing on the cookies again.

  “How old are you exactly?” He asked turning.

  “I don’t know, really. Your blood ages weird. I have a guess with when my previous life ended the possibility that I held onto Drenit’s sword for a while, how fast my birth mother could have learned about my death and decided to try summoning us all. I’d factor the date of my birth would probably be around Hensoon day eight through sixteen. Developmentally I am when I’ve been eight but I know I’ve tallied more years then eight.” She explained. Nol gaped but didn’t focus on her confusing age instead looking to the Emperor.

  “Drenit’s sword?” he asked.

  “I was the sorceress in the tower.” She offered hoping that would answer the question. When Nol’s shock flashed to a blank expression she figured it was enough. Emperor leaned forward pulling her attention back to him.

  “I would like it.” The Emperor offered meeting her gaze. “If you would at least allow me to arrange for this place to be fixed up… To get you things you need. Cloths that fit.” He offered motioning to her dress. Yes all her clothing were either to big or too small. There was a closet with one dress in every size growing up but only one that didn’t factor in how long it took her to grow and how quickly dresses wear out.

  “I don’t see a reason to as soon as I’m able I’m going to summon my tower.” She informed him. The Emperor’s lips turned down.

  “Azale.” He stated with a authority that he pulled back and attempted to turn back to negotiation. “If you summon your tower, please keep it on my lands whether it’s out here or closer to the palace. I’ll provide you with servants and guards to ensure you and your friends are safe.” He requested. Azale considered that, it wasn’t a terrible deal no one could enter her tower without her explicit want but there had been times when she’d been allowed land and people had used her name had tried to lure the spirits with promises of knowing her location.

  “Land could be negotiated at some point, maybe.” She agreed slowly. “Servants and Guards though I don’t need. The spirits and once I can summon my tower they’ll be stronger too. When I was thirteen the only reason I was killed was because I let my guard down because Drenit was young and cute.” She offered receiving a coughed laugh from Nol.

  “Cute. Gosh he’s never going to live that down.” He breathed Then he looked at her. “But really you’re the little and cute one. Leelee.” He told her. She shrugged not acknowledging the pet name. She at the very least thought she was cute.

  The Emperor glared at Nol who put his hands up and leaned back out of the conversation.

  “Azale I understand that you are very capable but having some extra backing wouldn’t hurt.” He pushed. But it could was all she could think.

  “Can we change the topic if I agree to think about it?” She asked him. His red eyes held hers searching then he nodded and glanced away.

  “A tutor, I will insist on and I will be announcing your existence as my daughter. Not right away if you need some time but I will be eventually.” He insisted. “As far as you being on of the Ancient Seven and that you are the last is to your discretion.” He promised her.

  “The last and the first.” She corrected softly. The Emperor raised his brows.

  “I’m now the future Mother.” She grumbled crossing her arms. The Emperors face cracked past that unreadable aura flickering with an absolute rage that made her want to run. He shook his head, and she watched him fold it away.

  “That is also something to keep in a small circle.” He breathed.

  “Why do you care?” Azale found herself asking and found no answers in the Emperors look of pure bafflement. Azale shrugged motioning to Nol. “I mean you obviously have a bunch of kids and as far as I know there isn’t something stopping you from having bunches more. You didn’t know about me and from what it sounds like you didn’t much like my birth mother, and she didn’t sound all that great to begin with.” Azale listed. What was one kid in those circumstances. The Emperor paused and looked thoughtful and considering.

  “I do have many children. You are my nineth still living and I have three that are no longer with us. All my living children are split between five mothers between them that I have had varying levels and types of affection for. Your mother was sent through a peace treaty, and you are right I did not take any time to see if I might have affection of any kind toward her. But I feel for the situation she was in and the pain that caused everything. Even if I didn’t, I have always loved all of my children living and dead. They all live in my heart and are the miracles of my life. The fact that someone thought that would be any different, so they hid you from me and denied you as my child.” His jaw tensed. “You are my daughter.” He stated, with ferocity and conviction that he might just bop her on the head with it.

  Doubt though was a beast that always lived in her knotted with fear and loneliness. It overwhelmed her and she didn’t know what to do with it so like she often did she shoved it out like a blade, like it was her only means to survive.

  “Well, you shouldn’t get attached to me. This is the longest I’ve ever lived, and the world really doesn’t like letting me get past thirteen.” Both the Emperor and Nol stared at her, the room weighed with the silence. Then the Emperor’s demeanor rapidly changed, he rose and came toward her. Fear bloomed more. Hin straightened glaring. The Emperor though swooped down and picked her up so they were eye to eye.

  “Azale, my child, I will find you land, when you are able to summon your tower, I will insist like all my children have, you will choose a personal guard. If need be I will seek out guard from various lands to ensure they will be the right fit for you, When you reach your age of acknowledgement, I will have Drenit give you, your very own sword, when you reach the age to be introduced to society you will be given a pendent, by whom I don’t know yet, it is usually given by a mother. And when you reach your majority, I will still be here helping you on whatever path you set to take. You will be my daughter now, forever and always, no matter what. We will have events, celebrations and time together. You’ll meet your brother’s and your sisters, you will have friends. You will learn and make mistakes but you’ll flourish and you’ll have fun. And one day you will be a wonderful magnificent adult.” He listed as if his world was law, as if he was the one writing the path of order.

  Azale stared at him not understand why he was so adamant. It made no sense to her. She could never remember a parent that would even think about or care when she reached her first magical awakening let alone a slew of life events. She also didn’t understand this fascination with holding her either. It seemed like these people were waiting for an opening to scoop her up like this. It was rather odd though it didn’t hurt, and she could escape so maybe she’d just stay a little bit.

  Maybe she could just stay a little bit she thought again thinking over the list of what he said.

  She glanced and Nol who was looking at her he smirked.

  “Oh and I’ll teach you how to drive everyone mad.” He offered breaking the wait of the room. She might have been grateful if she didn’t get the unnerving feeling she did when she looked at her sister Helia. Trouble.

  “Nol don’t start.” The Emperor groaned exasperation and affection in equal amount. Nol cocked his brows and smirked at the Emperor.

  “Really, Papa, do you want another kid like Corrin who looks like he wants to run from every situation?” Nol asked dryly. Azale over laid the description with the man who spotted her.

  “The Rabbit Man.” She voiced. Nol beamed at her conspiratorially. No good. She loved Helia but Helia energy was no good.

  “You have eight living siblings.” The King interjected. “Nol and Corrin have the same mother along with their older sister Pona. Drenit has two brothers, one older, Lish, and one younger, Hissle. Saro is the eldest of all of my children and then there is Lasette.” He listed. As he talked through the long list of his children showing no signs of letting her down Azale adjusted so she could at least feel like she was having a conversation. “I will start preparing a list of land areas and we will go through them finding what will suit your needs the best. I will insist that you do keep people with you, I am thinking at least eight and we will interview them together.” He offered. Azale frowned.

  “But then the spirits will have to stumble around people who don’t understand them and will have to think through the tasks they like to do.” Azale pointed out. “They like the mundanity of looking after a household compared to their normal purposes.” Azale argued.

  The Emperor’s eyes trailed to Hin and his eyes dropped to his task and watched.

  “You have to summon the spirits correct, and summoning takes energy.” He pointed out. Azale shook her head, that was only half true.

  “Spirits can freely travel through the Spirit plain exiting can be difficult but if you have a strong identifiable energy it’s like a beckon. The spirits who have been with me through lives and deaths, who know my energy like their own have never struggled to find me without any help. Its faster if I summon them.” Azale corrected. Being in the physical though for too long could exhaust spirits and being away from their purposes for too long put a weight on them, so having a portal was more convenient which was why her tower was so important because it in itself existed between the incorporeal and the physical.

  Past her tower though she didn’t know what she could do. She’d never grown old enough to learn. Of course, she’d heard the legends and the theories of the sisters that were before her sisters but time had a way of exaggerating or underestimating what was possible.

  After what felt like hours of negotiating she agreed that in time she would accept four people only after she and the spirits vetted them and she agreed that she wouldn’t pretend not to be there if the Emperor or Drenit and Nol if they came to check on her but no one would try to remove her from her home.