Cold Sands || Beyond the Frore Dunes [COMPLETED]

Chapter 18: The Pendant

There's gonna be some nasty stuff with our MC and some girl- I'll put warnings. Just a "oh no" should be enough when it starts, and a "phew" when it ends. Don't worry, they didn't go all the way. Also, its quite short. Just two paragraphs.

The Yu River is separated into the Inner River and Outer River. The Inner River travels eastward through the capital from the west and abruptly curves around, forming the rippling, pellucid waters that is Lake Yu, the most bustling region on the Yu River. Since the ancient times, royalty and nobles have resided and literati and intellectuals have gathered near its sh.o.r.es. Then, wealthy businessmen began amassing and countless brothels were erected, and scores of pleasure boats float across the waters, making the area for beautiful courtesan to congregate.

Faint wisps of smoke rise from a jade censer in curls like a hairspring, hovering so lazily in the room that fanning it does not make it dissipate. The thick aroma makes me dizzy and I push the red windows open. The evening breeze brings along the lake's moisture as it blows in from outside, scattering the fragrance and also rattling the bead curtain.

Looking down from where I am, the entire river is enshrouded by a thin veil of fog. The lights from the shoreline adorning the night are reflected in the water, illuminating and adding color to it. Glazed glass lanterns hang from the yachts of various sizes as they traverse the lake, rocking along the ripples, making the lake as bright as day. The limpid melodies of instruments and voices of maidens echo from the boats, scattering upon the lake's surface, appearing all the busier.

The shadows of the lively maidens get dragged into different lengths by the lanterns, some even swimming in the water. Red buildings with green doors and windows, fan dancing and song performances—the capital's Lake Yu is always this extravagant, luxurious and captivating.

I lean on the embroidered ta and chuckle softly at the fabulous view of the lake. I can't help but recite,

"'The sound of oars and shadows of lights stretch for miles; the singing courtesans and pleasure boats frolic along the waves.'"

"It's late. Close the windows," says the gentle voice of a woman from behind the chiffon curtains.

I sit up straight and push them out wider. "The fragrance in your room is too thick. I can't really stand it."

The curtains are drawn before I finish speaking and out walks a young woman. She sits down beside me, smiling coyly. "What're you talking about? You've never once said that you couldn't stand it all those times you've been here before."

The woman before me has a clear, exquisite complexion and eyes like the autumn rain, twinkling and tempting. Ornate hair pins dangle from her luxuriant, coiffed hair. Her body is shaped like an hourglass and small dimples show when she smiles, which makes her even more attractive.

I smile back at her. "I just came back from the war, Wang Shu. I'm used to the smell of blood."

Her pretty face darkens and she reaches over to my chest. "How was it? Did you get hurt?" I shake my head and lift her hand away, moving my gaze out the window. She sits closer, putting her hand on my shoulder. "You were away for so long and you never told me. I was worried for you every day."

There is a folk song sung throughout the city: 'Only at the Jade House in the capital, can you behold Madam Wang.'

I chuckle and hold her hand. "Really?" She puckers her lips and leans in, a ghost of her scent drifting over. I tilt my head away. "Wang Shu, I've been missing your honey malt all this time. Could you bring me some?"

She suddenly blushes and bites her lip, not saying a word as she takes a cup. I sit up, put on my jacket and take a sip of the tea that has long gone cold. Wang Shu rushes over and grabs my cup.

"Don't drink cold tea. It's autumn, you might catch a cold," she chides.

I laugh it off and take the steamy brew from her. She circles around and gets on the ta, hooking her bare forearms that are peeking out of her purple silk georgette sleeves around my shoulders, and gently start leaning on my back.

I glance sideways after swallowing. "Wang Shu, you've gotten a lot heavier."

She raises her brows, purses her lips and lifts a hand to hit me. "How rude! You're still so full of beans."

I dodge her cute fist and retort. "I'd know since you're lying on my back. Hurry up and get off before I get crushed to death."

She closes her eyes halfway and smiles lazily. "No way in a million years. You gotta make up for all the time you've been gone."

I laugh heartily while shaking my head. "You little rascal. Everyone sees you as the top courtesan, the most wanted of them all, but you're really this cheeky little girl."

She giggles and starts play-fighting with me. She keeps rubbing herself into me and her painted fingernails slowly sneak into my shirt, touching my skin along with the night chill.

Curious, she pulls out the red string that the jade pendant is hanging on and asks with her head lowered. "Han Xin, I don't remember you having this one."

I take a glimpse and nod while I sigh in my mind. "It was a gift."

She takes it into her hand and studies it in strange silence.

"From who?"

I put my cup down and mull over what to say.

"A... Friend."

She lies back down on my back.

"No," she says after a pause. "Tell me the truth. Whose daughter is she?"

I drop my gaze and take the pendant back. "Don't think too much of it. It's nothing." I try getting up but she hugs me, not letting me move.

She bites on her bottom lip. "Don't go."

I distinctly feel that she is getting cold and shivering. I take her dangling hand and turn to look at her misty eyes that seem a bit grey like the sky before it rains.

I stroke her soft hand saying, "It's not what you think. Really, it's nothing." I can see the tears forming but she doesn't speak, so I pull her on my lap and comb my fingers through her flowing hair. She rests quietly on my shoulder, wordless, and sobs.

The aroma is still dispersing idly and the lucid musical notes are spreading through the night. Red candles shine from high above, casting a charming and seductive glow.

"There, there. You promised before that you'd never cry again."

She clutches my collar and looks up with crestfallen eyes and quivering lips. I take a deep breath and look somewhere else.

Her feelings... It's not that I'm not aware of them, but I just....

She buries her face in my chest with her arms wrapped around my neck. She breathes, "Just stay the night, just tonight...is all I ask." Her hands slide down and her fingers pull open my collar, my jacket, my belt, finally slipping in and gently rubbing.

I clutch her hand and she regards me with melancholy eyes. "You despise me?"

I shake my head in silence. She looks steadily at me. "Do you know why so many people are seeking thrills nowadays?"

"The Yan army's just outside our walls. Who knows what would happen tomorrow, so I guess they're just lying to themselves."

Wang Shu nods with teary eyes. "I don't know what would happen to me either. Am I going to get married off as a concubine? Or maybe I'll end up in some unknown place in this chaotic world?" She sighs depressingly. "I can't control the future but I want to at least take the present into my own hands."

She sniffs, her fingers clinging on to my collar. "I've known you for more than a year now. You're kind to me and you protect me and I like you, too. Instead of regretting it later, why not enjoy the present?"

I wipe her tears away and whisper. "I've known about your feelings. But I can't. These things should be done between lovers."

She places my hand on her face and repeat. "Between lovers? I know you have a prestigious background, while I'm just a lady of pleasure. I could never be good enough for you. But I'm not asking for much. Just one night, just one's enough."

I chuckle quietly. "I'm not as good as you think."

She hooks her arms around my neck and mutters in my ears. "I'm the most beautiful courtesan in the city, but I've never let any man touch me, and tonight, I'm yours."

I feel my last shred of resistance snapping. Even if I don't want her now, I still have the natural desires of a man. In my arms lies a woman's tender body, and her body scent is sneaking into my nose. I start breathing more heavily and my body temperature is on the rise.

...oh no