Three weeks later:

Yu woke to the sound a heartbeat. Blinking her eyes open, she saw a room that was not her own. She slowly lifted her head, looking around. It was definitely not her room. First, it was huge. Second it had a lot of fancy furniture, some art and statues, and her armor and underlayer as well as clothes that were definitely not hers were tossed all over the floor. Third, the smell was off. It was like… Oh. Right.

Even after all this time, she still found it a bit foreign when waking up here. It wasn’t that she was surprised per se, just… it still felt new, despite having been more than a year.

Looking straight ahead and down, Yu found herself facing a head of shoulder-length white hair framing a strikingly handsome face. Square jaw, smooth skin, soft lips. Zihao really was a handsome man. Tilting her eyes down a little, she saw his bare chest, also silky smooth. Not just large, but defined muscles that showed more than a cultivator coasting based on stage. It demonstrated a dedication to hard work and perfecting his physique along with his skills.

Mages often allowed their bodies to decline as they rose in stage – the seventh prince most definitely did not.

Zihao was strong in body and mind, he cared about the people that were under his leadership, he believed that hard work made the best cultivators. Most of all, he loved and cared for a sister who nearly everyone else had abandoned for being weak. Zihao was an imperial noble certainly, and in a lot of ways maintained that mindset. Yu saw it occasionally, even around her when he tried to suppress it. But she understood. He had been raised a certain way and had towering responsibilities – ones she was not sure she could bear.

She still remembered when this whole relationship thing with him started more than a year ago. It had, at the time, felt to her like she was fighting off aggressive suitors left and right. Each time she went anywhere alone in the sect, some young man asked, appealed, offered, and even demanded her time. There had been fights between them for her attention, just like her mother had warned her would happen. But worse, they seemed to assume that whoever won had the right to court her, as if she somehow was also a participant in their idiocy.

She sighed at the memories. What a nightmare it had been.

***

“I’m going to break his jaw if he doesn’t stop!” Li ranted not for the first time.

Yu nodded enthusiastically. “Feel free. Please.”

“I swear. What is it about men? I know they’re not all tactless barbarians. But it has to be at least three quarters. It’s not just me, right?”

Lu and Yu nodded their heads, agreeing.

Silence fell into the suite as the three of them seethed. Poor Ai was overwhelmed with all the anger radiating out and tears had started falling. Yu was rubbing her back, but couldn’t stop herself from feeling it.

It had been a bad few days. First Yu had had to deal with her master’s excruciating gravity training (thanks to which she still felt painful throbbing on her skin), then she had another set-up fight in the arena which resulted in her having to spend an overnight in the healing center. And to top it off, some idiot who Yu had never met before said he had won some sort of bet and would be able to meet her for dinner the evening of Day 3.

Yu had gotten used to be “asked” enough to simply decline politely and move on. However, this particular “genius” decided he wouldn’t give in and reminded her that he had won the bet and earned her time – as if she would suddenly realize it all made sense, thanks to his detailed explanation.

“So what are you going to do about all these people, Yu?” Lu asked.

“We!” Li spat. “What are we going to do?”

Frustrated, Yu raised and lowered the hand not rubbing Ai’s back. “I don’t know! What can I do? I have enough issues in the arena to add yet more challenges. My master refuses to take action because he thinks the pressure is good for my growth. I just don’t know what else I can do.”

Li leaped her feat. “I’ll challenge them! You can’t take everything on by yourself. I’ll pound sense into these—”

Her rant on the future poundings was interrupted by a knock on the suite’s door.

Lu was already standing so she went to open it.

“Sire,” she said, surprised.

Zihao had been coming around every now and again to spend time with his sister so it wasn’t a complete shock that he was there. But it had usually been planned and everyone warned in advance. In this case, it had only been a week or so since his last visit so, yes, it was a bit of a surprise.

Collecting herself, Lu said, “Please, come in,” as she bowed and then stepped aside to allow him entry.

He stepped into the suite wearing his new red robes, having advanced to the inner sect a few weeks prior. Yu stood and bowed. Li did as well, both of them saying, “Sire.”

He sighed. The twins would not stop treating him as the imperial prince he was, despite his repeated requests, and Yu felt awkward not doing it when they did. Ai just waved quickly.

“I apologize for the unplanned visit and for interrupting your evening. Could I please speak to my sister and Fenghuang Yu alone?”

Alone time with them wasn’t too unusual so the twins simply nodded quickly and left the suite. Always unsure of his intentions, Yu watched him as he walked closer to her and Ai.

“How are you, Ai’er?” he asked his sister.

“Fine,” she whispered back.

“Good.” Then he cleared his throat. “I actually came tonight to speak with Yu. Privately.”

Yu felt her eyebrows rise. She had not expected that. Instead, she assumed this would be planning another dinner where he tried to win her over to his faction.

The frictions between the Gui and Bao clans had slowly been escalating over the last years and he hoped she would openly side with his family. Additionally, it was no secret Zihao and his brother were both vying for the throne. Well, the position of crown prince which would lead to the throne, but getting involved in that conflict held no more appeal to her than the other. It was all politics to her, which she avoided like it was a plague, and not just because her master insisted on it.

Thankfully, there was an unspoken agreement that politics would never be discussed during their joint dinners together. Yu was very appreciative that Zihao had followed that agreement perfectly, never once brining up his fight with this brother, the clan conflict with the Bao, or anything else controversial.

Despite this, lately she had been considering declining future time with the prince. If Ai hadn’t so obviously appreciated the bonding, she probably would have. Yu had found over the time they spent together, that Zihao made her feel more and more uncomfortable on a number of levels.

First, he was family to her best friend, so Yu felt some obligation to offer a level of kindness. It wasn’t that he hadn’t earned it, and she wouldn’t be mean to him or anything – it was just feeling forced that made it awkward in her mind. Second, he was a figure of immense power, politically speaking, which again she evaded. And finally… well… he was really really attractive, and that made her uncomfortable because her body reacted to him in ways she wasn’t consciously doing. It did not help that he was a talented fighter, a really strong cultivator, and, seemingly at least, a good person.

That was why him wanting to speak to her alone made her feel a bit… weird.

But she was a big girl and decided she could handle it. Yu looked at Ai for permission, because it mattered more to Yu what she thought that what he did. Her friend just nodded lightly, and Yu let out a big breath, stood, and walked to him, looking up into his face.

“Privately as in just us two?”

He nodded so she sighed, opened her room door and lead him in. He followed behind and closed it behind himself.

“What can I do for you, Zihao?”

He looked a little uncomfortable as he said, “It’s… sensitive. Do you mind I whisper it?”

Yu stared at him, her concern rising. Had something happened to her family? Surely her master would tell her. She nodded to him.

He took a step closer, leaned over her and whisper into her ear, “I know you have the Spatial affinity.”

Yu gasped. Immediately she shoved her left forearm into his chest and placed her right hand over his mouth, pushing him into the wall with a thump that caused the nearby water basin to nearly spill.

“Are you insane?” she hissed quietly.

He shook his head silently, her hand still over his mouth.

“Do have any idea how the Long clan defends its secrets? If they find out—”

“Ay awedy o,” Zihao’s muffled voice said into her hand.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Sighing, Yu let go. “Whisper!” she ordered quietly. “Ai’s right outside.”

He nodded. “They already know we know. About the imperial family I mean. Of course we know. I’ve known about… that affinity since I was twelve. I found out by accident sneaking around the palace, but I did find out. As for you, while I suspected, I wasn’t totally sure you had it until relatively recently. You and your master have done an admirable job hiding your training.”

“Then how did you find out?” Yu asked, panicking a little. If she had let it slip somehow. Had someone seen her practicing stepping?

“My fourth brother leads the imperial information network. He’s the Minister of Intelligence and most things don’t pass by him without his notice. He has sources in all the sects in the Empire, including this one, and he found out about it. Once he saw you and Ai’er had a connection, he expended, well let’s just say an insane number of resources to find out about you. He let me know what he found and it seems the Long clan has shown some interest in you.”

Yu leaned against him in relief, letting out a huge sigh. “Thank heavens. I thought I messed up somewhere and it got out.”

She felt his arms wrap around her and she jerked, stepping back more out of reflex than because she didn’t like it.

She cleared her throat. “Sorry. I was just relieved. Still, you have to be careful. The Long have the reputation they do for a reason. They kill anyone, anyone, who puts their secrets at risk. And that includes people near the people who let the secrets slip.”

Yu looked at the door deliberately, showing him that that included his gentle, damaged little sister.

He nodded. “I’m aware of that as well. But that’s only peripherally related to why I’m here. I didn’t come just to tell you I knew.”

Really curious now, Yu nodded, encouraging him to tell her. He stepped closer again.

“You can move from one place to another, right?” he whispered. “Like be in one place and then instantly in another?”

“Yes. It’s called stepping,” she whispered back with a nod. “I have to have been to the target location before though.”

“I would like to propose something. You’ve been having trouble lately with men pursuing you, right? It’s been getting around, as does anything about you in this sect.”

Yu rolled her eyes. “Yes. It’s ridiculous and pointless and annoying, but yes. And I can’t figure out how to make it stop.”

“Well, maybe I can help,” he offered.

And from there he shared his plan. Yu had to admit it was clean, elegant, and, easily managed with the sole exception of keeping it from the twins, which was an absolute requirement. She didn’t like it, but she couldn’t risk the twins accidentally letting it slip through word or action, unintentional as it might be. It was for their safety as much as anything else – knowing about the Spatial affinity would likely result in their death, as well as anyone they might have told, including their entire clan.

“And what do you get out of it?” Yu asked finally.

“Sparring. I’ll help you train for the spirit realm, you help me become a stronger Fire Mage. That’s why I mentioned your affinity. You can… uhhh… step I guess, into my training room.”

Yu nodded at that. Again, clean, easily managed, and almost impossible to track. And she knew how good he was. She thought about the benefits and risks for a while and the more she thought, the more she felt it was a great plan. “That’s really smart, Zihao. I like this plan it a lot. I’ll need my master’s approval because he’ll know soon one way or another. But I think he would actually support it – it’ll make me stronger.”

He nodded and said quietly, “Great.” Then he leaned closer to her again and whispered into her ear, “One more thing. I like you.” Yu’s eyes opened wide. “You’re beautiful, strong, passionate, and caring.” Yu felt blood flooding her body. “Are you attracted to me too?” His breath on her ear and neck made her shiver slightly.

Biting her lip, Yu had to reluctantly nod.

Then he moved his face in front of her, slowly. She didn’t move. Then he leaned closer and pressed his lips to hers.

***

She quietly sighed, remembering the moment. Yu had never really understood what everyone was on about in regards to… well… intimacy and sex. “What’s all the fuss about?” she had thought. Mentally rolling her eyes at her younger self, she had no idea how much she would miss it. And him.

Yu lay her head back on his chest, listening to his heartbeat for what she knew was likely the final time.

Closing her eyes and refusing to let herself feel sad, she enjoyed the peaceful moment. She was aware that in only a few short weeks she would have barely any peace at all.

“Good morning.”

Yu smiled as she heard that through his chest as a rumble.

Lifting herself up on her arms, she pulled herself forward and laid her lips against his.

“Morning,” she said with a smile.

Then she then crossed her arms on his chest and placed her chin on them, watching his own smile grow.

They lay there silently for a few breaths until he asked, “How’s your little brother? You saw your family a few days ago, right?”

Yu laughed. “Yeah. He’s a little monster. Now that he can walk, he gets into everything.”

“I bet. He’ll be a handful when he can conjure fire. I was.” Zihao chuckled. “Does he still call you oo-oo?”

“Yes!” she laughed with a shake of her head.

Duyi had not been able to say her name when he had just started speaking, even after he recognized her. Instead of “Yu,” he said “oo.” Then it had become “oo-oo,” due to his adorably bratty nature. Now that was all he called her. She wondered when he’d grow out of it and call her “sister” or “Yu’er,” like the rest of her family.

“I also understand your city’s Qi well mine is coming along,” Zihao added.

She nodded. It was probably close to two years away from being able to produce its initial Qi stones. Those would be closest to the surface so they would be the lowest quality, but that did not matter. Even the weakest were worth a small fortune. Especially on the verge.

Yu knew Zihao knew about it. He, and of course his fourth brother, had their own people in her home city. First as information gatherers, and second just to keep an eye on things.

Inevitably, word of the seventh prince’s supposed intentions with her, public as they were, had reached home. As a result, it was… complicated there right now.

In some ways the news of the prodigal genius daughter of the city’s lord was good, for both the city and his family. And in some ways it caused more strife in the city.

For example, the central imperial noble Bao clan, who had been after Yu since the moment she set foot into the sect, had increased their investments and focus on the city’s Bao clan. Yu had learned that the local clan with that name was indeed a distant branch family.

It was quite common for larger clans to use branch clans as sources of potential talent for their parent clans. And thanks to Yu, the city branch would receive many times more attention.

On the positive side of things, with the additional resources injected into the local economy, the city would benefit. On the less than positive side, the Bao had been pressing the Jing clan for third place in the city recently, and strife of that magnitude always hurt the smaller clans and even the mortals.

In more bad news, as happens with prideful cultivators, some members of her own clan had started strutting around like they were kings of the city, thinking they had the imperial family’s protection. Her father had immediately put a stop to it, setting a clan-wide mandate for expectations of behavior. He spread word that any engagement talks were unofficial and early and thus informed clan members that individuals would have to pay for their own bad decisions. No protection would be forthcoming if they embarrassed the clan or clan lord. In fact, the opposite was true – infractions that placed the clan in a bad light, would be punished with as much as five times the normal punishment.

On the royal side of things, Zihao was handling it so nobody from the imperial family would interfere. According to him, a small city on the verge was, frankly, not worth their attention, so he apparently did not have to do much. And Zihao was free to pick anyone he wanted for his wives or concubines as long as they weren’t up for the empress role.

In regards to her side of the “relationship,” Yu’s parents and uncles knew the truth, but they kept the secret for obvious reasons.

There was one final piece of good news caused by their deception, at least in Yu’s opinion. Yu’s father had thankfully stopped accepting any courting proposals. Both to continue the false story, as well as because Yu had reminded him that she would be leaving for the spirit realm for up to four years, assuming she even survived. It bought her time, at least – and freed her to do whatever she wanted with whomever she wanted.

As if her thoughts became reality, Yu felt the sheets shift and the soft tips of fingers run along her side.

She giggled. “Trying to keep me here?”

“Can I?” he laughed from under her.

Yu sighed. His smile fell with hers, and sadness took over his face. He recognized what she did. Their time together had come to an end.

As if attempting to delay it, he asked a question they both knew would change the subject. “How’s my sister taking you leaving?”

Go along with him, Yu thumped her forehead onto his chest. “Not well at all. There’s been a lot of crying.” She felt his chest rise and fall in a huge breath but she went on. “Ai’s trying to be strong; I know she is. But, well, we’ve haven’t really been separated for more than a few hours over the last years. And we kind of depend on each other. A lot. It’s hard for me too.”

“I bet it is. You two are amazing friends. Practically sisters.”

“We make a great team.” Yu could hear the smile in own voice. “She’s… special.”

“I was jealous of her at first, you know. I even thought you two were…”

“I didn’t know. That’s funny,” Yu laughed lightly. “No. Not that I wouldn’t. She’s my favorite person in the world. And beautiful. And I love her. I won’t lie and say I haven’t thought about it. But…” Yu let out a breath, “it would feel like I was taking advantage of her. She needs a ‘friends and family’ type love, not the kind you and I have.”

“Speaking of…” Zihao shifted his right hand under his head, lifting it slightly, while his left continued its teasing strokes. “I wish I could convince you stay. Here. With me.”

“Oh, Zihao,” Yu said softly, refusing yet again his entreaties to stay with him. “We both know that isn’t possible. I am who I am, and you are who you are.”

“Yeah,” he said resignedly. “It’s just… I was thinking. We could figure things out. You could stay. If you agreed to join my family, even your master wouldn’t—”

Yu reached out and softly put her hand over his mouth. “Yes, Zihao, he would. And so would I. This has been… wonderful. Amazing. You’re everything I could have hoped for and I can’t imagine anyone else being my first. But this,” and she gestured with between them, “was always destined to be temporary. It was our agreement, remember? You’re the future of this empire, hopefully at least, if you can beat out your older brother. You need an empress, a wife with a clan and political power that can support you in that. It isn’t me. It can’t be.”

“You wouldn’t be an empress,” he said, interrupting her thoughts. “That’s just a name. A job really. The empress is a marriage of alliances and convenience. You’d be different.”

His continued attempts to get her to stay aggravated her. But what was even more disturbing to her was that she was so damn tempted. It would be easy to let it all go. All the responsibility and pressure.

But then she thought yet again of the tattoo on her forearm. If she accepted, stayed passive, and then… it happened and she could have stopped it… She would never forgive herself. Or him. No, she could not do that – to herself or to him. So instead she pushed back. Hard.

Her eyes sparked with flickers of silver fire. “I’m nobody’s second or third wife, Zihao.”

Looking at her silently for a handful of breaths, he whispered. “I’m sorry. I know you aren’t. I just—” Then shaking his head and clearing his throat, he added in a normal tone, “I don’t doubt you could be a matriarch if you wished to.”

“No, I don’t think so. Only overwhelming power or long tradition would allow for a woman clan head. It’ll be decades, at least, before I reach that point and my clan has always had a patriarch. Not to mention how young my parents are. Plus, I don’t want to lead a clan. You know how much I dislike politics. More than that, I’d never do that to my brother. Besides, he’ll make a great patriarch. Either way, I’m too young to think about marriage, never mind leadership. Once I reach the fifth stage, maybe I’ll consider it again.”

“I understand. I love how confident you are that you’ll get there. Not that I doubt it for even a moment.”

She smiled at him, appreciating the surety that he honestly did believe in her. They were silent for a while, just enjoying each other’s company.

While it lasted.

“I’ll miss you,” he whispered, his eyes sincere but sad.

Yu had admit, hers watered a bit. “Me too.” She hadn’t expected it to be so hard to say goodbye.

Silence ensued once again until, after a while, his sad look turned into a familiar grin and she rolled her eyes. Knowing he was trying to help their mood, she went along with it.

“One last time? To remember me by?” he asked quietly.

Then his hand wandered a bit and Yu shivered. Despite her outward snark, she tilted her head and looked out the window.

Seeing a barely lightening sky and still-bright stars, Yu looked back at him through her eyelashes and bit her bottom lip. “I suppose I can delay a little bit. One last time.”