WangXian Forever 5

Chapter 91 Scrolls

Hongse followed her sister past the altar room where others were chattering excitedly, but they quietened when this group came past. A torch was handed to the leader as they entered the last chamber.

As their eyes adjusted to the flame lit room, Wei Ying discovered that in actual fact, it wasn't a room but a corridor that went on for some time. There was a door at the end of it, that Hongse tried to push open but had difficulty.

Wei Ying went to help her, but Lan Zhan intervened.

"May I?"

He didn't wait for Wei Ying to say yes, because said man was still swooning over the gesture. Wei Ying knew that Lan Zhan was aware of his super strength now, but still offered to open the door. He was definitely going to show his appreciation later...

The door swung open and a gust of wind blew out their torch. In front of them was a ledge that they could take off from, and the height gave them an added advantage of being able to see for miles and miles.

The sun had risen a few hours ago, casting strong warm light upon the tree tops. The forest looked dense and compact, and Wei Ying thought it a much better idea to just fly over it than walk through, especially if they were going to be chased.

"I agree." Hongse replied.

"Oh, did I say that out loud?" Wei Ying blushed.

"Also, we can disguise our exit. Those tree huggers won't know anything."

"Father? What's this?" Li XiWang called them to the side where a wooden chest was open.

She was opening a scroll to read when both her fathers joined her.

Wei Ying opened it fully, sitting on his haunches next to her.

"I'm not sure what this is." He puzzled over it. He handed it to Lan Zhan.

"Astronomy charts." Lan Zhan also crouched down with them.

He pointed out several star clusters, naming them individually. Wei Ying stared at him dreamily, fantasising about something else entirely, when Lan Zhan pinned him with his intense gaze.

"It says the Beidou will be turning towards the East in a few days time." He waited for Wei Ying to come back to the present.

"Huh?"

Lan Zhan smirked at him, knowing full well where his mind had wandered.

"It is giving us a precise location." Lan Zhan went close to the edge and saw where the sun was.

He made some quick calculations and gestured to his left.

"We need to go in that direction."

Wei Ying sidled up to him.

"How come you know so much about the stars?"

"Gege taught me. The rest...I learned by myself." He had a tone.

Wei Ying wondered why he was reluctant to talk about it. Maybe, it was better addressed in private.

Lan Zhan rolled up the scroll and tucked it inside his sleeve again.

"Very well. Let's make plans to leave tonight." Hongse left them there and returned through the corridor.

"Li XiWang, we have a present for you." Wei Ying took the vial from Lan Zhan and gave it to her.

"What is it?" She asked, her eyes big and round.

"No idea."

Lan Zhan watched the two dark heads together examining the vial.

Joy bloomed in his heart and he was as always unprepared to feel so strongly. They were his family, his sense of belonging. It felt...right.

A red robed woman came to take Li XiWang away, and Kitty followed them. Lan Zhan was still staring after her when Wei Ying slipped his hand into his bigger one. With his thumb, he wiped away the errant tears that dripped from Lan Zhan's face, each precious drop.

Wet golden eyes watched him come closer to hold him.

"You don't have to be strong all the time, my love. You have me, as I have you." Wei Ying kissed his eyes and held him tightly.

"Mn."

A wealth of emotions lay open and bare, resting deep within.

Wei Ying sighed, feeling for his husband. Lan Zhan sometimes didn't know what to do with how he felt, especially with powerful feelings. Always used to suppressing what he felt, it was overwhelming for him to deal with it. He might be called the Cold Jade of Gusu, but only by people who never got to see the real man, only the facade that he chose to show them.

Wei Ying knew so much better.

Lan Zhan felt everything.

They stayed that way for a long time.

******

Evening came with the group packing away and readying for travel, after their dinner. The day had been spent in relaxation, people resting because of the long night of travel that lay in wait for them all.

Wei Ying was sitting with his legs swinging over the edge in the room where they would take off from.

He was alone with his thoughts, when Hui Gai appeared. The demon took in his laid back posture and grinned, sitting down next to him.

"I've been meaning to apologise to you, my friend." Wei Ying told him earnestly.

"For what?" Hui Gai was genuinely puzzled.

"When we left...like that. I know you were scared."

Hui Gai took his hand in his, marveling at the contrasts between the slightly tanned hand against his scales, desperately not wanting to have the conversation that was going to happen anyway.

He didn't like to talk about his feelings, especially about and with his friend.

That moment, when he felt their absence and came to see what was going on, with only the ramblings of a distraught child who couldn't stop weeping...it was something he never wanted to relive again.

The complete not knowing, no information at all of where his friend had disappeared to...it was unnerving.

Not only did he have to deal with the overflowing pain from his little girl, but his own heart was shattering into dust. He had never known that loving someone like this could lead to such pain, with no end in sight.

He was brought face to face with the knowledge that he was helpless in such a situation, and that somewhere along the line, he had come to depend upon this wonderful man for so much more than just the friendship they shared. To realise that he might never see him again...he was devastated.

Then came the anger. He vowed to find whoever was responsible for taking him away. Such an anger he had not felt since he'd first tasted freedom. And vengeance was going to be sweet...

"Hui Gai?" Wei Ying was saying.

The demon reined in his murderous thoughts and smiled with all his pointy teeth, licking his lips for good measure.

"I'm alright now. That's all we're going to say about that."

Wei Ying searched his eyes for the truth.

"Okay...if you're sure."

Hui Gai winked at him and left.