Solstice Souls Book 2: Black Fire, White Flame

Under The Cover of Darkness

Lan Zhan's POV

It had been late morning when they left Baoshan Sanren's mountain. Luckily the weather was favourable, and with their individual skills in flight, they were able to get to the Piers of Lotus Cove by early evening.

They had not taken a single break since then, and Lan Zhan was aware of how stressed and worried Wei Ying was. He too had been concerned about if they got there on time, and what sort of welcome would be waiting for them, especially if they were late...which would be unthinkable.

But they had both spent a lot of their spiritual energy and it would serve them well to take a few minutes before rushing into an unknown situation.

"Wait." Lan Zhan didn't want to sound forceful, but he had to catch Wei Ying's attention before he raced away.

There, illuminated by the hanging lights of the market stalls, the peddlers shouting about their wares, a cacophony that turned into background noise as Lan Zhan looked upon the breathtaking beauty which was his husband-to-be.

Like individual stars shining in those silver eyes, each worry manifesting like clusters of light, his golden face was bright with apprehension, the pink across his cheeks an indication of the exertion used in coming so far, so fast.

Wei Ying turned to him with an urgency.

"We should eat something." Lan Zhan told him. "Do it for me." He added, when it seemed like protests were about to leave Wei Ying's beautiful lips.

Lan Zhan barely waited for the indecision to flicker within those bright silver eyes. It was the opening he needed, and he dragged Wei Ying to the nearest stall to order snacks; food they could eat while they walked.

Plus they needed to come up with a plan.

It would not do to hand themselves over to their enemies like sacrifices on a platter, if it could be avoided.

Lan Zhan paid the man and then had a thought.

Apparently, Wei Ying also had the same one.

"Uncle...?" He winked at the older man, who put down his spatula. "Have you any news about the town? Anything exciting happening lately?"

The man tapped his chin thoughtfully, scratching his belly while he spoke.

"Other than the show, not much to talk about."

"What show?" Lan Zhan asked, trying not to frown. He hoped it wasn't what he thought.

"Mo XuanYu! You mean to tell me you don't know?" The stall owner huffed out his chest like an expert. "You must have heard of the famous dancer? No? He put on a sudden show in town without any warning, even got the locals to help him, and they've been talking about it for weeks! But I'm actually not surprised...there's been a lot of new faces in town recently."

"New faces?" Wei Ying asked, curiously. "It is summertime...I suppose a lot of tourists come down this way for the lakes." He guessed.

The stall owner glanced around and leaned forward for a more intimate conversation.

"They don't seem like tourists to me, if you catch my drift? Asking a lot of questions and not about the lakes nor the lotuses, mind you." He tapped his nose. "But you didn't hear it from me, Young Master." He went back to cooking his next batch and ignoring them.

Lan Zhan pulled Wei Ying away, masking their interest in the gossip by pretending to be tourists themselves.

They ventured from stall to stall, Lan Zhan making sure Wei Ying ate properly, as they moved towards the path that would take them to Lotus Cove. This nourishment would replenish their dwindling energy and hopefully fortify them for the mission to come. And with food in their bellies, it was one less thing to worry about. Their ability to think and adapt would also be greatly improved with a meal.