Embers of Love

Chapter 13

    "I win!" Juying cheered triumphantly. Nevermind that it had only been by a small margin, a win was a win, and against a master at Go nonetheless. Juying had lost the previous round to the Heavenly Emperor and achieved a difficult victory in the next match. She had started to worry that her first win against him was only a fluke.

    He laughed, "Well fought." It was rare for him to appear so relaxed and the Light Immortal felt immensely blessed to be able to see that side of him, a time when he wasn't scolding her in a rage-fueled hatred or deeply troubled over political matters.

    The Heavenly Emperor had taken Juying to a new location this time. They had to cross a bridge to get to the other side of the phosphoresce pond, where a white and gold table sat beneath a tall tree with glowing leaves of pink, purple and blue. In those enchanted gardens, the fronds swayed with every light breeze and nothing else was heard apart from the quiet rushing of water, the melodious chirping of crickets and the laughter of the two immortals that rose to the starry night sky.

    "Juying..." she heard him say suddenly, quietly, as though he were testing her name out. The Light Immortal realized that it was the first time the Heavenly Emperor had ever called her simply by her name. "May I call you Juying?" The sound of her name leaving his lips sent a shiver down her spine.

    "Your majesty may address me however you wish."

    A happy look crossed his charming features, the small smile illuminating his face with an irresistible glow. "Juying," he repeated. "Your parents certainly picked a lovely name."

    The Light Immortal was sure that her cheeks had taken on a reddish tint. She turned her face in an attempt to hide it, and was met with the magnificent sight of the bright silver moon hanging in the sky. "It's late," she said, half-dazed by its breathtaking beauty, "Nubi should be returning to Yongxia Palace." She folded her hands as tribute, stating with all sincerity, "It's been a privilege to get to serve your majesty for the past three days."

    Runyu glanced up at the dark sky peppered with glittering stars. He hadn't even noticed how late it had gotten. "There's no rush to leave. Accompany me for one more round of Go."

    Juying bit her lip hesitantly, "Your majesty, isn't it inappropriate for me to remain here at this hour? After all, you are a man and I am a woman. If people were to see us together, they might get the wrong idea..."

    "If that's how you feel, then alright, I'll escort you back to your palace," the Heavenly Emperor stood up. "It's unsafe for a lady to walk around alone at night."

    "I've been leaving at around the same time for the past two nights," she replied drily. "If your majesty is worried, why not just send a guard after me? You don't have to trouble yourself on my account."

    His next words took Juying by surprise. As if spurred on by a burst of courage, he suggested, "Why not stay at Xuanji Palace tonight? No one else in the Empyreal Cloud Palace comes to this place but me. If someone were to see you leaving from here at this hour, won't it be equally as incriminating?"

    She conceded that the Heavenly Emperor's words held some weight. The suggestion both strangely thrilled and frightened the fire qilin. Xuanji Palace's sleeping chambers were not far off from where they were, which sounded inviting to an exhausted Juying. Furthermore, it was highly unlikely that they would run into anyone on the way there.

    "But your majesty, where would I sleep?" Juying asked.

    "I have a few guest rooms, you may take your pick." Runyu noticed the conflicted look on her face as she internally debated on whether or not to stay. He concealed a smile, knowing just how to convince her.