The Untamed 2: The Unlikely Hero -Book 1-3

36. Reflection

AUTHORS NOTE:

Thank you everyone who has read so far and stuck around to continue reading the series! 

I apologize for it taking so long to write this chapter. I wanted to make sure I had the perfect ending to the series and this transition was integral to what will happen in the next 10 or so chapters to the end (of this book). Please let me know what you guys think about the story so far. I would love to hear your input! 

36. REFLECTION

Lan Wangji stared at the back of the retreating Wei Wuxian with an incredulous stare. Of course he would leave him alone. With...Jiang Cheng... It was well known that he did not like Wei Wuxian's brother and the sentiment was fiercely returned.

As he stood in the doorway staring at the retreating Wei Wuxian, he could barely hold in together as it was right now. Especially given everything that had happened. His patience was on thin ice and he swore to everything that was holy if that stuck up little....

He silenced his inner thoughts. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath and turned around. As he turned to look back into the room he purposely avoided Jiang Cheng's eye contact.

Thank the gods because he could feel the intense stare on him like a heavy robe draped over his shoulders.

Lan Wangji walked slowly over to the still form of Huang Jin.

It was unfair how the world seemed to always try to bring down those that had such a bright star. Such bright lights always attracted such terrible darkness. His eyes caught sight of a small strand of hair that had fallen across her cheek. He had to consciously stop himself from walking over to adjust the strands back to their proper place. A harsh cough broke the silence hanging in the air, as Jiang Cheng stared angrily at him.

He ignored him once again and walked over to the small seating pad at the table in the corner of the room. He flipped his robes loudly and sat down, finally raising his gaze to Jiang Cheng's.

Lan Wangji had expected anything but the look that he saw in those haunted eyes. He knew exactly that look. The look of desperation, of defeat, of utter uncaringness if he lived or died. Because after all there was nothing more to look forward to. The only thing he ever cared for was gone.

He saw in that moment his own haunted stare reflected in those purple irises. He had looked at those cold dead eyes himself, reflected in the cold pond for three years straight. Locked away with the knowledge and regrets of the past.

In that moment, everything that he had planned to say vanished from his brain.

"What are you going to do? Just stare at me?" Jiang Cheng snipped at him.

Lan Wangji's mouth opened briefly and closed.

"That's what I thought...You don't have the guts to ever say what you are thinking!"

The three words Lan Wangji uttered next would change everything.

"You love her."

It was the only thing he could think to say.

It explained everything. His overreacting, his defensiveness, and possessiveness of her. It was exactly how he had acted with Wei Wuxian. Well... not exactly.

He never spoke ill of him, or showed his emotions very well in public. That being said, it wasn't like he showed many emotions AT ALL in public. But this explained everything. Lan Wangji thought to himself.

Jiang Cheng's mouth was hanging open like a fish. Wen Ning's eye was peeked open, even though he was pretending to be fast asleep, and Sizhui, having awoken just a moment ago, was full on staring at them both, his cheeks flushed a brilliant red.