There was a soft whisper tickling my ear, but when I realize what the noise is trying to tell me, I snapped from my dream. Opening my eyes, Shen Qing’s lips drew to the side forming a smile of relief.  The sky behind him was pitched black, but then I soon came to realize that we’re not outside, but inside a cave.

“Here, drink some water” Shen Qing lifts me up slightly so I can take a sip of water.

“Thanks” I mutter and tried to sit up but he refused me from doing so. I glance to my wound and grin. He stares at me, yet my eyes were locked on how he wrapped my wound in a horrible fashion.

“You’re such an idiot” Shen Qing flicks my forehead.

“Ah” I touched my forehead and glared at him.

“Don’t move; lie still. I’m going to go fetch the firewood for the night”

“Okay. You act like I can move anyway” I answer. As he was leaving, I saw a patch of blood on his clothing. My heart drops in fear that he’s hurt somewhere, but hasn’t tended to his own wounds. Shortly, he came back with a pile of woods. I was sitting and leaning on the cave wall as I gestured to him to come closer to me. He obeyed.

“Closer” I murmur. Shen Qing leans in and I pulled on his collar to make him sit. Twist his body so that he’s angled, tug on his robe to reveal his somewhat fresh wound. “You-” I looked at him with disbelief.

“It’s nothing; it doesn’t hurt” he reassures.

“Liar” I hit his chest, “If you don’t cover it, it’ll be infected” I angrily glare at him.

“Okay” he responds sweetly, “But you’ll have to help me”

“Give me the cloth then” I demand, extend my hand for it.

“Who were those people?” I ask as I started to wrap his wound.

“I don’t know. Probably some Zhu merchants sent to ambush us”

“Why? We weren’t even planning on harming them”

“Harm or not, they see us as a threat” Shen Qing explains and turn his head to me, “But you, why are you so foolish? Sneaking out of the palace and following me. Can’t you just obey and stay at home?”

“No” I retort, “I am not Consort Xue who listens to you without complaining” I finished wrapping his arm and tied a knot on the cloth.

“I know you’re not Consort Xue, but at least she listens and stays out of my burden”

“I’m just a burden to you?” my heart ached from his words.

“Yes. With you here I’m uneasy. I can’t always protect you. And with you not listening to me, makes it hard to protect you” he gaze into my eyes.

I gulp, “I don’t need your protection. My head is not at stake, but you are”

“Is that why you-”

“Yes. I took that sword for you because without the crown prince our nation would be in chaos. Plus, my marriage alliance would be gone to waste”

“Is that all you worry about? Your kingdom?

“Yes” I lied, “My kingdom is more important than you” I continued to lie.

He turns away, “Rest. We’re moving tomorrow at first light to find the others”

Shen Qing’s POV

           Not long after our talk, she’d already fell asleep. As for me, I couldn’t stop thinking about how she blocked the sword with her fragile body. At times I wonder if I had fallen for her. Of course she was forced to marry me for the sake of her kingdom, but every action of her’s was to protect me. Starting from the accusation I’ve made on her, she didn’t complain and quietly endure the punishment. And from the assassination attempt, she saved me too. Over and over, she was always there to save me. Yet, all I’ve done was hurt her. If only she knew the truth, she would hate me even more. But I rather have her hate than to love me, so then my heart will be at ease in the future.

           She flinches and groans in pain. Crossing her right arm over herself, she curls into a ball. I glance to the dying fire and back to her. As I exhaled, a frosty mist appears. I tried rubbing my hands together to restore the heat, but it was useless. I glance to Ah Yun again and see how she cuddles herself to stay warm. Unable to continue to watch her shiver. I unknot my cape and covered her with it. At the same time, I laid behind her. I sneaked my arm below her neck so that her head is resting on it and I wrapped my other arm across her. Yet, she still continued to shiver from the coldness. I closed the gap between us and decided to reach for her belt so that I can undress her. Gently, I pulled the robe downwards just enough so that it is still partly covering her in the front area. After, I took off my silk robe and used it as a blanket for her so that I can use the cape for the both of us. I snuggle myself with her, touching her with my chest. She seemed to have stopped shivering, so I finally closed my eyes.

Xiang Yun’s POV

I couldn’t feel my legs. Or my right arm. I weakly opened my eyes in a slow movement. Blinking a couple of times to clear my vision, I see a rising and dropping muscular chest. It was very near and exhausting heat onto me. My eyes expand when I realized what was in front of me. Without moving my head, my eyes looks up to his tranquil sleeping face. I felt my cheeks burning up and I tried to stop staring at him, but couldn’t. Using my left index finger, I poked his chest. He didn’t budge. I continued to poke his chest. He continued to not move. I smile childishly and leaned my forehead on his chest to hear the momentum of his beating heart. My smiles widen.

“Why are you smiling so early in the morning?” Shen Qing interrupts my moment of peace.

“Nothing!” I jolted away.

He chuckles and, maybe intentionally, seductively stares at me as he popped his arm up so that his head can lean on his hand. I boldly stared back at him as I squeezed the robe in front my chest. He smirks and reaches over to my face. I immediately flinch and shut my eyes. He chuckles again and brushes my messy hair back. I opened my eyes feeling stupid. Full of embarrassment, I pushed him over so that I can get up. He laughs and got up too.

“Why are you laughing?” I ask angrily but not really either. I was more embarrassed than angry with him.

“Because you thought I was going to initiate a kiss” he teases as he puts on his robe.

“Of course I wasn’t thinking of that” I denied, still not dressed and my back was facing him.

“Sure” he said and glance to me. He stops and was completely focused on my . His eyes directed to the faint scars marked on it. He clenches his hands and walks towards me within a second. Suddenly, his right arm ran across my front upper chest and I felt a moist warmth pressed on my back.

“What are you-” I said but got cut off when he shifted his right hand to cover my mouth. Ignoring everything, he continues to kiss the scars imprinted on me. Every scar, he kisses it. As for me, I couldn’t stop him. I didn’t want to stop him. I wanted him to know that these scars were from him. For not defending me when I was accused. Soon, his lips trailed down my spine. I moan through his hand and tried to stay still.

Snap. Something barely echoes into the cave as if it was broken nearby. He pulls away and angled his head to the sunlight.

“Someone’s here” he spoke quietly.

“Huh?” I respond, not focused on the surrounding anymore.

“Get dress” he pulls my robe up to cover my shoulder and left.