Fresh Embers of Love

Chapter 1

Fuzang Loong rested his back against the trunk of an ancient pine tree, surreptitiously stealing glances at the Phoenix Kun Ji from across the lawn. She was fawning over cousin Tangyue.

"What'cha doing?" asked a voice from behind him, making him jump.

"Nuwa! Don't sneak up on me like that!" Fuzang complained.

"Awwwww, don't be like that, my Little Brother" she pouted, sitting cross-legged on the grass next to him.

Fuzang sighed irritatedly, unable to resist the urge to sneak another glance at Kun Ji. He wondered if she would ever notice him. Nuwa looked back at her too.

"Ohhhh, that's why you are in a bad mood" she teased him.

Fuzang scoffed. "I don't know what you are talking about."

Nuwa leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, "I've been studying the mortals, to prepare for my Mortal Trial, and I read that they think that 'Dragon and Phoenix' are the perfect couple."

She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. "You should go for it Little Brother, just tell her how you feel" Nuwa encouraged him.

Fuzang rolled his eyes, and sighed again.

"So tell me about your latest adventure!" his Big Sister demanded, changing topics.

Fuzang looked away.

"C'mon! Tell me!" she ordered. "I know it has something to do with QingWa Sheng" she guessed in a sing-song voice.

Fuzang frowned. "I went to the Demon Realm with cousin QingWa Sheng" he admitted reluctantly.

"What were you two doing down there?" she asked curiously. "I can't imagine Uncle Linyou and Auntie Qintian giving you permission to go there!"

"We were hunting for treasure" he replied, embarrassed.

"And then what happened?" Nuwa prompted him, her distinctive golden eyes boring into his soul.

"I fell into a volcano" he mumbled behind his hand.

"What... what was that?" she asked. "I couldn't hear what you said."

Fuzang huffed. "I. Fell. Into. A. Volcano." he stated each word distinctly.

Nuwa laughed heartily. "I just wanted to hear you say it again."

Fuzang made a face at her.

"Seriously though, what happened to your scales? Step-mother told me that they look different now?" Nuwa asked.

Fuzang tried to explain, "my scales were made of Iron, but something in the lava made them change. They are harder now. Father thinks they might be... Steel" he informed her.

"Oooooh" Nuwa breathed. "A Steel Dragon. So impressive, Little Brother."

Fuzang decided to change the subject. "Are you finished preparing for your Mortal Trial?" he asked his Big Sister.

"I'd better be by now!" she laughed. "I leave at noon!"

"What kind of life do the Fates have planned for you?" Fuzang asked curiously.

Nuwa gazed off into the distance. "I am to be a poor serving maid" she said theatrically, clutching her heart. "A slave in the royal household." She pressed the back of her hand to her forehead wearing a tragic expression.

Fuzang looked at her skeptically. "Are you sure you can do that?" he asked her. "You're a Princess, you've been pampered your whole life."

"Fu-zang!" she exclaimed severely, "Are you doubting me? Your Big Sister?" She shook her finger at him.