Volume One, Chapter 10: Jealous?

Blood splattered through the air.

A low, pained groan echoed from the cave—Prince Dayong of Dayong struggling in agony.

Lilan knelt at Ketash’s feet, sobbing bitterly. “Please, I beg you, spare him...”

The man roughly yanked her up, his face dark with displeasure. “Stand up. I only allow my woman to kneel in bed.”

Lilan stumbled and fell into his arms.

Ketash embraced her from behind, forcing her hands to grasp the bow.

Terrified, Lilan shut her eyes tightly, her trembling lashes betraying her fear.

“Please, don’t do this,” she pleaded.

Ketash inhaled the faint scent of the delicate woman in his arms and suddenly regretted that his previous arrow had only wounded the man’s arm instead of killing him outright.

With that thought, he guided her soft fingers, aiming the arrow at the man’s chest.

“Don’t be afraid. My aim is true—I won’t let him suffer long.”

Lilan’s whole body shook; her voice had vanished. She struggled desperately but was held firm by the man.

“No, no...”

Though she shared little affection with the prince, they had known each other for years, and she could not bear to watch him die.

But Ketash had already drawn the bow fully. The arrow was nocked and had to be released.

In a panic, Lilan turned her head and pressed her lips to his cold mouth.

The man’s body tensed instantly.

The icy glint in his eyes softened, melting into a burning heat stirred by the unexpected kiss.

The bow in his hands slackened, and the arrow flew wildly from the string, landing crooked in the ground.

By the time Lilan realized the gravity of the situation, it was too late.

Her act had completely pleased the man.

The cold cave brightened and warmed with the flickering firelight. Lilan lay pinned beneath a sable cloak.

Ketash was like a blazing flame, consuming her with unstoppable fury.

A mist veiled Lilan’s watery eyes as her hands pressed against his chest.

“There’s someone here,” she whispered, her small face flushed with embarrassment.

In high spirits, Ketash ordered those who “disturbed” them to be taken away.

“Now no one’s here,” he said, his eyes locked on her with desire.

Lilan finally exhaled in relief.

***

The next moment, with a tearing sound, the fabric between her legs was ripped again by the man’s force.

It was midday the following day when Lilan was finally returned to the steppe.

The man, elated by their lovemaking, commanded many gifts be bestowed upon her.

Lilan watched silently, neither accepting nor refusing.

At least for now, Pei Qizhou’s life was spared.

She borrowed medicine from Gesa and went to visit him. At a glance, her eyes reddened.

He was proud and noble, yet now he looked utterly broken and tormented. The arrow wound on his shoulder had festered, the blood on his dragon robe dried and reeking.

“Lan’er, it is my failure,” he said weakly, his eyes full of deep affection.

Lilan choked back tears. “Don’t say that. I’ll dress your wound now.”

“No need. That arrow is likely poisoned and incurable. Before I die, I have one unfinished wish.”

Lilan cried, “No, you are the prince of Dayong, the future ruler! You cannot die...”

Pei Qizhou weakly shook his head and beckoned her closer.

“We have known each other since childhood. For years, we’ve been disciplined and respectful. Now, meeting on the steppe, though we’ve said little, our bond has grown stronger. This matter concerns the throne, and you are the only woman I recognize as my wife. I can only feel at ease entrusting this to you.”

He gently wiped her tears and continued, “Ketash, the steppe king, is extremely ambitious. In his treasury is an item—the imperial jade seal of our dynasty. Years ago, he tricked and stole it. Who knows what chaos he plans to unleash. That seal is a curse if left in his hands. Only by holding it ourselves can we rest easy.”

Lilan’s eyes widened in shock.

“You mean the emperor’s seal is in the barbarian’s hands? What shall we do?”

“Don’t be afraid. You are close to him now, favored by the barbarian. I am powerless to rescue you. If you can retrieve the seal, that is best. If not, I will not force you into danger. Just take care of yourself.”

His words were heartfelt, and Lilan listened carefully, growing ever more resentful of the barbarian.

“Your Highness, you know my predicament. That barbarian is rough and domineering. Though he seems wild and unruly, he is cunning and shrewd. I have been here for days and never heard a single secret from him. I don’t even know where his treasury is. Even if I did, there are surely traps—perhaps...”

Pei Qizhou sighed. “Forget it. My time is short. What use is the seal to me now? Even if Dayong falls, it won’t matter to the dead.”

Lilan would not let him speak such despair.

“I wasn’t done speaking. Your Highness, please don’t interrupt... Your deep feelings for me move me. No matter how difficult, I will do my utmost to retrieve the seal. We are husband and wife. Your wish is mine.”

“With those words from you, Lan’er, even death brings me peace.” A faint smile curved his lips.

Hearing him speak of death and life pained her heart deeply.

“I left the medicine here. I must go now before he wakes.” She lowered her gaze, hiding the sorrow in her eyes.

“Lan’er,” he called softly.

Lilan stopped, back turned.

“Call me Qizhou, just once,” he pleaded.

Lilan had never heard the prince speak so humbly. Her face flushed instantly.

She was too embarrassed to say it aloud.

Such an intimate name was likely reserved for whispered nights between husband and wife.

“Lan’er,” he croaked again, silently urging her.

His whisper sent a thrill through her heart. She turned but dared not meet his eyes.

“Qizhou,” she whispered hurriedly, her flushed face making the word sound tender and charged.

Then, flustered, she fled. From the corner of her eye, she caught the prince’s lips curling into a smile.

She bit her lip, feeling as if flowers had bloomed within her heart.

***

That night, Lilan had already fallen asleep when Ketash hurried back under cover of darkness.

He mischievously roused her upon entering the tent.

“Do you like the gifts I sent you?” he demanded, wrapping his arms possessively around her from behind.

Lilan shivered from his cold touch but replied faintly, “I do.”

Ketash was clearly displeased with her answer. His cold palm pressed against her neck.

In a dangerous tone, he asked, “Do you like him, or do you like me?”

Lilan snapped awake.

Had the barbarian overheard her conversation with the prince today?

She hesitated, then avoided his question.

“Today, Baozhu came looking for me and mentioned a name. It made me unhappy.”

Ketash paused. “What does she want? You needn’t pay her any mind.”

Lilan studied his expression carefully. He seemed preoccupied with disaster recovery and had little time for her.

As long as he didn’t know about her meeting with the prince today, that was enough.

“But she said her sister Baoqin is the queen of the great king,” Lilan murmured, turning her head with a displeased huff.

Ketash gazed at the woman in his arms, jealousy lighting his mood.

He kissed her fiercely, his features softening as laughter shook his chest.

“Jealous?” he teased, biting her ear.

Lilan dodged him, scooting away.

“I wouldn’t dare.”