Rosa: A Wangxian Reincarnation Story

Rosa 16:The Reason for Torment

The whimpers started again. They came once a night, every night. Qinyang laid her book aside. A small lamp illuminated the bedroom, darkness was always banished in their home. Yenay was terror-stricken if she woke in the dark. She lay down beside the sleeping woman, on top of the covers. then reached around her and held her. It took a while to soothe her but she cradled her in a steady embrace, singing in her husky contralto until Yenay settled back to sleep. Then she felt certain about going to her bed on the other side of the room. Yenay usually slept through the rest of the night undisturbed.

Qinyang hated this enforced loneliness, She wanted so much to stay, even snuggle under the covers if allowed but she knew Yenay was not able to endure even that small amount of intimacy. Sexual abuse, from both men and women, had taken its toll and the damage was extreme. Even though her core Soldier wanted to return, the journey would be difficult. The desire to even try was one of the most courageous steps she had ever seen her Love attempt. Her Beauty wanted to come back. That was more than Qinyang had ever dreamed of. A soft sob broke through her lips and she squeezed them tightly together. It was too much sometimes, but she had waited before, she would wait again. No matter what she did to suppress her sorrow tonight though, it was too much and she buried her face in her pillow and allowed the silent tears to have their release. Some nights it just became overwhelming. She wept awhile. Then, she felt a light weight depress the edge of the bed. A small hand touched her shoulder.

It was Yenay.

"I am sorry."

Qinyang tried to stop, but could not.

Yenay. Her Yenay was sitting beside her'

"I do not want you to be sad, my Sun. Please do not cry."

Her Yenay was trying to comfort her. She turned over carefully, as if afraid of startling a fawn. and wiped tears and snot from her face. Yenay offered a handkerchief. "You are as bad as Lan Zhan. Never a handkerchief"

Qinyang gave a feeble laugh and mopped away the mess.

"I do not want you to feel unhappy, Qinyang."

"I try not to."

"I do not want you to feel this way for my sake."

"I try not to. But it hurts when you feel nothing but pain. You deserve more and I can't find a way to help."

"Pain has been my existence since my parents died. We are old companions. And you do help me."

"I do?"

"Yes. you have taken me under your protection and given me safety. And for some reason, you have always loved this broken thing. I know that you hold me every night."

Qinyang drew back and stared. " What? When?"

"I gradually became aware. At first, I lay there terrified. Then I became used to it. The few times, when you would go away and leave me with others, I found I missed it. It brings me comfort. You have a pretty voice.

Please, do not stop. I am not ready for more than that. I may never be. But the feeling of peace when you comfort me is my only pleasure."

"Sunflower? Will you stay, hold my shoulder while I drift off?"

Yenay smiled shyly. "Of course. If that is what you need."

"Thank you."

Yenay held Qinyang's shoulder, never leaving as she watched her Sun close her swollen eyes and fall asleep. She wished, with all her heart, that she had never been touched by others and dirtied. She wished she had been undefiled as she had been in their first coming together during the Wen War.

There was a sudden flash of a green and golden glade in a mountain forest and a stream singing by...

Light fingers flying over porcelain skin.

A soft full mouth on hers

She was startled and puzzled by the fleeting memory. There had been no fear and disgust, only love and delight. She tried to shove it away; those feelings along with that act were alien to her. Were they even allowed? Designed to go together? She backed away, seeking her solitary bed. Tomorrow, she would insist on training harder. Her condition was better, the machines she attacked every day were helping to build long, lean muscles and tolerance for activity. The work on her abdominal core and her golden core was improving both. She wanted, needed to hold her sword again. Tap into his spirit.

She wanted to be ready. For anything.

As a calm determination settled over her. a sudden realization came with it. She could not only visualize her tormentor's face, but she also recalled a name.

She now knew who was looking for her and the real reason why.

***********

"First. Call me Yenay from now on. I want Halo to rest and Yenay to gain strength. Secondly, that person, he will come for me. This one covets and will not stand a loss like me. I am his prize and he is proprietary. He owns me, in his mind. I am his to destroy."

Lan XiChen felt a chill. He looked at her in kinship and agony. He spoke, and his voice mirrored her intensity.

"Is it...?"

"Yes. It is Xue Yang . You remember him too. As I waited to see you all today, I recalled why. I am sorry he made you suffer, too."

He closed his eyes wearily. "I had hoped we were done with that obscenity. Knowing this, I know better how to help you."

A pall fell over the fellowship around the table. Added to the family was Nie Huaisang. Being Nie Mingue's brother would make him a target as well.

"Nie Huaisang, you must move into this place immediately. The last suite will be prepared. Qinyang, we will need restaurant refrigerators, a walk-in freezer, another stove with 6 burners..."

"Let me take it off your shoulders. I will order what we need. Do not forget, I set up the Lodge for 100 refugees once."

"We have warehouses down by the river under shell names. You can have all supplies delivered there. then brought here by various routes. Never the same route twice." Contributed Nie Huaisang.

Lan Zhan turned to Yenay and Xi Chen. "Think carefully. Have either of you sensed him in the area yet?" They both shook their heads.

"Wei Ying? Can you feel any elevation of resentful energy?" Wei closed his silver eyes and sank deep within himself. He lifted Chenqing to his lips and blew a few questioning notes in the tense air around the table. He raised his head and answered cheerfully, "None but my own, my Love."

"Good. We are safe for now. Wei Ying, I will help with the Array. Every inch around over and underneath must be covered today." Wei Ying dashed to his suite and returned with a ream of fine yellow paper and a dozen ornate fountain pens.

"The Yiling Patriarch always comes prepared!" Lan Zhan raised an eyebrow at the box of paper.

"What? No quills?"

The Miscreant cheekily stuck out his tongue. Lan Zhan gave him a side glance with golden eyes and smiled his partner's way.

"I will also start interviewing security companies. We will need them as well. Can you help with that Huaisang? "

"Gladly."

"He will not win this time, either. He will not hurt another person that I love. He is an enemy I understand and he will not take us down."