Dazed and out of breath, Yan fell into Rains comforting embrace. Quivering from head to toe, she savoured this mont and engraved it into mory, enjoying the soothing sensation of his hand running slowly up her back and down again, the simple movent so soothing and reassuring. Sohow exhausted and invigorated at the sa ti, she kissed him between laboured gasps and was delighted to discover he still yearned for her touch, despite being too exhausted to continue. Much like his preferred fighting style, Rains performance appeared inelegant and unpolished at first, but he was a quick learner and soon uncovered all her weaknesses without need for question or guidance. Coupled with the fabled stamina which won him the title of Undying, Yan was soon rendered helpless before his charming smile and attentive efforts.
Mother above, he did all this while he was crippled, so what would it be like when he had both his hands and feet?
Her voracious appetite sated, Yan entwined her arms and legs around Rain while running her hands over his naked body, ntally marking all the changes since they last t. So soon after their repeated bouts of frenetic activity, his robust heart had already slowed to a steady beat, pulsing powerfully inside his chiselled chest. With pecs firm as iron and a wiry, sinewy fra, his broad shoulders and narrow waist made him look even leaner than he already was, a powerfully built foundation which could use a little more padding for comfort and aesthetics. Regardless, she loved the feel of him, of his sculpted muscles and washboard abs, his smooth, supple skin and soft, silky hair, those hungry, affectionate lips and his pulsating, throbbing...
Grounding herself with a deep breath, the musky scent of their intermingled bodies delivered her a heady rush and only debilitating fatigue and aching muscles kept her from mounting him once again. Instead, she settled for a contented nuzzle and buried her face in his neck, which earned her a throaty chuckle and a question asked in jest. Still not enough? Heavens save from this insatiable woman. rcy Yan, I beg you, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Giggling at his terrible joke, she kissed the hollow of his neck and faked a sigh. Well, top marks for effort, I suppose. I expect a better performance from you next ti.
Ha. Punctuating the laugh with a slap of her buttocks, Rain embodied pride incarnate as he said, Dont play coy. We both know you enjoyed it.
Unable to resist needling him, she replied, Never said I didnt, but theres always room for improvent.
Of course. For starters, Ive learned we should lay towels out beforehand. Scootch over will you? Its like Im lying in a puddle over here.
Her cheeks set ablaze, Yan was too embarrassed to respond. Shed only noticed it after the fact and had been so mortified she almost panicked and ran away, but Rain only laughed and held her close, explaining it wasnt what she thought it was, only a natural bodily response and a sign he was doing things right. Shifting over so he neednt lie in a pool of their bodily fluids, she buried her face deep into his neck, not only to hide her sha but also because her horns would force him to crane his neck at an awkward angle, her minor vengeance for his barbed jab.
She couldnt even bring herself to lie and say, What next ti?, lest he bring up more embarrassing examples of her hedonistic gratification, or worse, play along and force her to beg next ti they...
Its not fair, she growled, pressing her horns just a little harder against him, enjoying the warmth seeping through to her forehead. You have an overwhelming advantage in both practice and experience, a seasoned veteran matched against a wide-eyed innocent.
Innocent? My, how youve changed Lady Du Min Yan. Whatever happened to the shaless, salacious, ribald little she-devil Adujan? When you left, I said a prayer for all the handso young n of Central, for I believed we were introducing a fox to a hen house. Or should it be a duck house?
Outwitted once again, Yan stopped arguing and fell silent, content to bask in the mont and settle the score when her mind was fully functional once more. It had been her intention to find a young handso buck or three to romance and seduce, but between her lessons and dealing with Grandpas aggravating family mbers, there was little ti left for social pleasures. Even if she had the ti, Central wasnt the sa as back ho, where no one cared about the horns on her head. Shed lost track of how many tis shed been mistaken for a slave or how many arrogant young idiots shed been forced to beat up, though she took a small asure of satisfaction at the absurd prices they offered for a single night in her company.
At least Yan knew if her Martial skills failed her, she could always switch to lucrative career as a courtesan.
Feeling her eyes growing heavy, Yan cautioned herself to stay awake. As much as she wanted to fall asleep in Rains embrace and resu their lovemaking in the morning, she couldnt stay the night for proprietys sake, not to ntion how she wasnt ready to face Lin, Mila, or worst of all, Alsantset in the morning. To keep her mind active, she returned to cataloguing the changes in her lover, a difficult prospect with her face pressed against his skin, but his body wasnt the only thing which had changed in her absence, but his personality too. Though too preoccupied with their reunion to make note of it earlier, the differences were stark and obvious now that she had ti to think. He was more confident now, standing taller and retorting faster, a proud, self-assured warrior instead of the timid, unsure young boy shed left behind, and she wanted him all the more for it.
Granted, she wasnt pleased with all the changes. Rain was colder now, rougher and more callous in deanour as evidenced by his exchange with Jin Tok earlier tonight. Everyone present, Yan included, thought Rain ant to slaughter the snivelling little idiot out of hand, playing his part perfectly as a cold and rciless individual to whom life ant little. Were it anyone else, Yan would not think twice about his newfangled ruthlessness, especially considering his sudden rise in power, but this was Rain they were talking about, a man who rescued wildcats and cripples for Mothers sake. Thankfully, upon seeing the horde of bunnies sleeping in and around his yurt, Yan knew Rain was still the sa sweet, affectionate person shed fallen in love with, only hed gotten better at hiding what so would call his deficiencies.
Never her though. Those frail insecurities were what she admired most about him, because despite all his fears and worries, he never surrendered and always pressed on. Without fear, there could be no courage, so if one were to asure courage by the extent of ones fears, then Rain was easily the most courageous man in the world.
Deciding hed been punished enough, Yan freed Rain from the threat of her horns to gaze upon his handso face. Even at his most relaxed, he still grit his teeth and she imagined he would grind them in his sleep, but no one could be perfect. His beautiful amber eyes were open but unseeing, staring at the ceiling while lost in thought, his brow furrowed with concern as he considered the future. Another thing which hadnt changed, his penchant for worrying, and the familiar sight brought back mories of simpler tis, when she was rely an orphan and he a foundling, both struggling to find their place in this chaotic and punishing world. Theyd co so far since those simple days, suffered through trials and tribulations to erge as Lady Du Min Yan of the Hwarang and Imperial Consort Falling Rain, but their feelings for one another had survived the test of ti and separation, and now they were together once again.
Imperial Consort or not, Rain belonged to her.
Nipping him on the cheek, Yan laughed as he jerked in surprise like a startled little lamb. Kissing him to make up for the love bite, she murmured, Whats on your mind, lover?
Nothing.
His reply ca too quickly, but she couldnt call him out on it since he turned to kiss her. Thoroughly enjoying his efforts to distract her, Yan waited until he broke the kiss and whispered, Liar. Sothings obviously bothering you. I said it once and Ill say it again. If you dont want to talk about it, then say so, but if you keep being evasive, then I will never let it go.
Still hesitant, Rain looked away and said, I dont want to ruin the mont.
Turning his head back to face her, she kissed him and replied, You couldnt even if you tried.
Is that a challenge? For a second, Rains eyes lit up in mischievous delight as he forgot about all his woes and worries, but he soon returned to his thoughtful brooding. Sorry Im so distracted. I want to tell you everything but Im having trouble framing my thoughts into a coherent narrative. Theres still so much to cover, so many more secrets to explain, and I dont know where to start or how to say it.
Oh? He still had more secrets? And from his hesitation, it seed like he considered them worse than almost being Defiled? What could it be? While considering the possibilities, Yan touched upon an old fantasy of hers, a guilty pleasure she only thought about when alone at night, one involving Rain, Fung, and Big Huu in a most provocative scenario. Could it be true? While she was gone, did their friendship cross over into forbidden territory? Perhaps thats why no one could tell her why Big Huu was behaving so coldly and refused to show his face at the banquet. Was he angered and ashad by the mory of their shared debauchery? How did it even happen? Knowing their personalities, Fung undoubtedly instigated things with Rain, who was curious and played along, but then their twoso soon beca boring and dull for n of their appetites. She could imagine it now, where during one of their drunken revelries, Rain and Fung take advantage of Big Huus inebriated state and...
Well, well, well... Perhaps Yan would have her harem after all...
You know, the Bekhai tried to exile . Indifferent and impassive, this earth-shattering news was delivered in unflinching deadpan and pulled Yan out of her sordid fantasies. With a careless shrug, Rain continued, They didnt because my family threatened to leave with , but the problem is, I think the Bekhai were right. They should have exiled regardless, or worse.
The Bekhai. Not thePeople, but the Bekhai. The sa word, pronounced the sa way, but Yan could hear it in his tone. Rain no longer considered himself one of the People, and it pained him more than the loss of any limb ever could, because he blad himself for the divide, believed he was too dangerous to be around and worried his actions would bring Imperial Justice crashing down on those he loved.
In a strange way, she was glad to see his casual arrogance hadnt changed.
Rain, Yan said, keeping her voice quiet and steady. If you ever proved yourself a danger to the People, I would kill you with my own hands and follow you soon after. After letting her words sink in, she continued, Notice how youre still breathing? Trust in my judgnt, my pretty, cynical, worriso man.
You say this because you dont know the whole story. No one does. Staring at the stump of his right arm, he sighed and added, And now the person who knew the most is dead and gone.
Knowing Rain needed ti to gather his thoughts, Yan silently watched him flex fingers which were no longer there, the muscles in his forearm shifting with almost hypnotic fluidity. Combined with the adorable rabbit snores and sleepy quin squeaks, she almost fell asleep despite the severity of the situation, and only his constant false starts and tired sighs kept her awake. After an eternity, Rain Sent, Be warned, its a long story. Have you heard of the Penitent Brotherhood?Well... In his customary rambling fashion, Rain told her all about the Monk and what happened earlier tonight, veering off in the middle to explain about the droplet of Heavenly Water he found in Sanshu, then even further back to talk about how he rejected his first Awakening, which occurred rely days after her own, because he didnt like what it showed him. Her mind reeling from revelation after revelation, Yan soon had trouble fitting the pieces together, though not for lack of trying. ... the Monk died trying to bring my would-be murderer to justice, which coupled with my inability to save him makes responsible for his death.
Hang on. Closing her eyes, Yan sifted through mory wondering if shed fallen asleep and missed sothing. No, Rains explanation was seamless and without interruption, but his leaps of logic were mind boggling and bizarre, to say the least. You said you only t the Monk a week ago?
Evidently too tired to keep Sending, Rain closed his eyes and nodded. Yea, give or take.
And you trusted him enough to tell him all... this? Monk or no, Rain telling a stranger he had almost turned Defiled was insane, even for him, not to ntion being in possession of a drop of Heavenly Water nad Blobby.
Its not the sa. I felt I could talk to him because he was a stranger. I didnt care about his opinion, so I wasnt afraid of him judging . It made sense in a twisted way, but Rain wasnt finished. Besides, the Monk figured out most of it on his own, or at least he guessed it, and I figured if he wanted to hurt or kill , there are much easier ways to go about it, especially considering he was a Divinity, whatever that ans.
It ans strong enough to turn you and everything around you into at paste with a flick of his finger. Which ant Rain had a point about trusting the Monk, except at the ti, he had yet to learn the Monk was a Divinity. Her poor, sweet, trusting Rain, so stupid and naive. Imperial Consort or not, he would need more help than Yan could provide to survive the world of cut-throat politics hed been thrust into. Do you know how conceited you sound? Taking responsibility for the death of a Divinity? The Monk died because the Defiled killed him. A room full of Divinities couldnt save the Monk either, so why bla yourself?
Because he was there to protect , and because I could have saved him if -
If what? If you werent you? If youd made a different choice years ago? If youd known in advance what you know now? What if Taduk were a thousand tis better at Healing? What if the Azure Ascendant had gone with the Monk instead of doing Heavens knows what around Nan Ping? What if the Monk hadnt forced the Immortals hand? What use is there in playing this ga? Blowing out a sigh, Yan shook her head and continued, What I dont understand is how you could trust the Monk after only knowing him for a week, but couldnt talk to Mila or Lin, Alsantset or Charok, any one in your family or circle of friends?
Yan wasnt angry at him, but herself for leaving and at everyone else for not seeing how much he was suffering. So full of pain and self-condemnation, the look in his eyes made her heart ache with misery as he answered, Because Im afraid. Im afraid of looking into your eyes, or Milas, or Lins, and seeing horror and disgust. Im afraid of giving my family more reasons to regret saving , of proving them wrong for standing by . Im afraid of being abandoned by my family and friends, left alone to face this world without their love and support, the only reasons Ive made it as far as I have...
Itll never happen. We love you too much.
You say it and I want to believe it, but my fear has long since left the realm of rationality. Smiling weakly as he hugged her close, he added, Im trying my best to work through it. This was progress, but believe it or not, theres still a lot to cover. Take a break and pick up where we left off in the morning?
Ignoring his vulgar leer which filled her with burning desire, Yan kissed him and said, I want to, but I cant stay the night. I havent told Grandpa about us and I want him to hear it from . Grabbing him by the chin, she forced him to look her in the eyes and said, Dont you dare think even for a second Im leaving because youve scared off. Du Min Yan is not so easily dissuaded. You are mine and I love you, faults and all. Understand?
...Understood. I love you too. And Ill talk to Mom and Dad about marrying you soon as I can.
How adorable, he was calling them Mom and Dad now. You better. Now close your eyes. Still not ready to leave his embrace, Yan rested her chin on his chest and added, Ill stay until youre asleep.
Then I wont sleep. Contrary to his declaration, Rains eyes were barely still open, ready to nod off at a monts notice. Dont want you to go.
Nor do I want to leave, my sweet Rain.
Gotta say, Im loving how possessive you are. Are you gonna start a fight with Mila? A sexy fight, with hair pulling and shirt ripping... And with that, Rain fell asleep before Yan could inform him she knew better than to start a fight with Mila, but if he wanted to see her slap one of his wives around, then Yan would happily oblige if pitted against his new concubine, the oh-so-perfect Zheng Luo.
Hmph. Mila and Lin were one thing, but for this complete stranger to swoop in and try to steal Yans lover?
Unforgivable. The big-breasted hussy would have to learn her place, and Yan looked forward to teaching her.
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