Recesses of the Heart

16

The last couple weeks have been rough. Lan Zhan and I spent the time strengthening the barriers around the sect, and placing a new protection barrier around the Library Pavilion which is also fire proof. No explosion or fire could cause it to crumble. We did the same for the important buildings such as the treasury. I was supposed to leave in a couple days. The lectures were coming to an end. Lan Zhan and I didn't want to be separated but for now, we had no choice.

I told Lan Zhan I'd return to Cloud Recesses with him after the Conference Meeting held in Qishan. The last day was the archery competition, so after it ends, I will go back with Lan Zhan to help with the ambush. I will be doing what I can to convince Sect Leader Jiang that I would like to had back. I might have to lie a bit just to do so.

For now, Lan Zhan and I had just finished the last of the wards and it was almost curfew. I was staying with Lan Zhan tonight because, I will be leaving tomorrow. I told Shijie and Jiang Cheng that I wanted to spend my last night with my friend and they were supportive of my decision. Shijie kept teasing me a bit, also told me to save some intimacy for my wedding night. Since I couldn't playfully hit her I decided Jiang Cheng would be the alternative. He and I wrestled for a few minutes before breaking up.

"Being in love has changed you, Shidi," I remembered Jiang Cheng saying, "so much more offensive and grouchy."

I laughed thinking back about that conversation. I was currently laying down on the bed relaxing with my arms resting behind my head. I felt eyes on me so I looked back at the one staring.

"Why were you laughing?" Lan Zhan asked.

"I had an interesting conversation with my siblings today," I answered, "they kept teasing me about my relationship with you. Since I couldn't take it out on Shijie, I took it out on Jiang Cheng. He and I wrestled a bit...he lost."

Lan Zhan smiled, "I expect as much as you are stronger than him."

"I let him win occasionally," I said, "in the past, I worried about surpassing him because Madam Yu always saw me as a servant, nothing more. Uncle Jiang had high expectations of me. It was so conflicting at times. I wanted to impress Uncle Jiang but I'd get punished for it by Madam Yu if she found out. If I didn't do well, Uncle Jiang always thought I was sick or something. I eventually had to hold back to save me from some of the pain. It's so different now. They don't know who I really am and they don't mind that I can overpower Jiang Cheng. If I was Wei Wuxian, it would be like before."

Lan Zhan came to sit beside me, "you don't talk about your past much. I am sorry you struggled."

"It's not your fault," I shook my head, "no need for apologies."

"You still deserve it," he argued, "they were horrible to you. They abused you and took advantage of your kindness."

"Possibly," I said, "I never minded having to protect them, but when I gave up my golden core for Jiang Cheng, I felt my debt to them was paid for."

"You do not owe them anything," Lan Zhan said, "they took you off the streets and provided shelter. They should not expect anything in return for that."

"I felt so conflicted at times," I told him. I sat up and crossed my legs and placed my hands in my lap, "Baoshan spent a lot of time in telling me that I don't owe people anything. She told me family shouldn't owe family."

"She isn't wrong," Lan Zhan said.

I sighed and nodded, "I suppose so."

"Do you have plans on how to keep others from losing their golden core?" Lan Zhan asked.

"Last night I placed a new charm I created on Jiang Cheng. It's a core protection charm. He doesn't know I placed it as he was asleep. I will do the same for Uncle Jiang and Madam Yu. If you want the charm for your family, I can teach it to you," I said.

"I would like to know," he said.

"Has your father dealt with Su She?" I asked.

"Since he hasn't done anything wrong yet, we cannot just punish him," Lan Zhan said, "but Father has decided to transfer him to another sect."

"How will that go?" I asked.

"If he wants to be arrogant, then he can go ahead because father sent him to Lanling. Sect Leader Jin took him with no questions asked. He thought with a member once apart of the Lan Sect, he could learn our secrets. Father placed a memory spell on Su She before he left," Lan Zhan explained.

I nodded, "wow, I think that was a clever way to deal with him," I said.

Lan Zhan pulled me close to him. My head rested against his chest, as he laid us both down, "you did a lot today," he said, "you must be tired."

"I'm immortal," I said, "I don't get tired."

"Can't you just let me cuddle with you," he argued.

I laughed and propped myself up on my elbow, "of course, anything else?"

Lan Zhan glared at me before pinning me down underneath him, "I will not go too far, but I will show you what I can do if you aren't careful."

"Oh, and what is that?" I asked.

I was egging him on. I wanted him to show me what he was holding back. He didn't disappoint either. His lips met mine in a heated kiss. I felt my entire body melt and I felt like he was sucking my willpower from me, like he was trying to weaken me. He was not doing it on purpose as he didn't actually know what he was doing to me.

I felt his love pour out just from this one kiss, my arms wrapped around his neck to hold him closer. He soon pulled back a bit before placing kisses all along my cheek, jaw, and neck, stopping at my collarbone. He pushed my robe aside just to have a bit more skin access. I felt his teeth nipping at my skin, he sicked and licked. I was gone, I was so into his lust that I would let him do anything to me at this point. He didn't go overboard though. He didn't let his hands roam past my waist he kept his lips to my neck and face.

If he was trying to impress me, it was working. This man was incredible. I will miss him while I am back at Lotus Pier, but it will only be for a couple weeks before we see each other again.