Page 116 of The Cinders

Lim slipped his hand around the back of Xian’s neck, not letting him edge away.‘No, just a moment.I was afraid to begin with, yes, but it did not last.You did so well to let me know you were not my enemy.’Xian relaxed into his touch.‘And your talents with your tail were something to behold.’

A reluctant smile widened Xian’s lips.‘Forward and foolish, my dear Song Lim.’

The simple endearment nearly buckled Lim’s knees.He leaned in, and when Xian did not shirk away, he rested his forehead against the prince’s.

They took a few breaths together, both shivering now.

‘You mother made a great sacrifice to protect you,’ Lim said.‘I honour her for that.But you are not a child to have secrets kept from him anymore.You are a strong man, a man I shall follow to whatever corner of the world you need.I promise honesty in everything.If I am afraid, I will say so, if I fearforyou, I will tell you that also.And when I am simply happy that we are together, then you shall know that too.I’ll tell you the truth in all things as we navigate this new world we will share.’

Xian closed his eyes, his breath warming Lim’s lips.‘You will stay with me, no matter how far my spirit takes me?’

‘I hate that you sound so surprised.’

Completely the wrong thing to say.Xian pressed into against Lim’s hand, seeking escape.There was nothing to be done but let him go.But the prince did not move far.Not even a step.

If Lim leaned forward an inch, their lips would meet.He’d never dare, though.His mouth was doing enough to frighten Xian away without an unwanted kiss.

‘But I am to go to England, London, to be exact,’ Xian said tightly.‘That is where Sir William says I will find those who can protect me, and teach me what it is to be huli jing.’

‘So you’ve told me.But do you believe what he’s told you?He is a…curious man.’Lim would not say more on the matter of the Englishman.This was Xian’s choice to make.

‘He is a complicated and tiresome man, and I think more dangerous than I imagine…but my instincts say he does not lie.And if not for him, I might have lived my whole life beholden to those who do not care for me.’

‘Then we go to England.’Lim was only half-terrified by the idea.The Englishman’s home was unfathomably far away, but that meant it was far away from the plots that surrounded the prince.And what of the shoemakers there?The things he could learn.The new techniques he might discover.And it would not be terrible to see Xian in one of those complicated ensembles the Englishman wore; coats and trousers and a waistcoat, stockings upon the legs, and a pair of boots so shiny he’d see his own reflection in them.

‘Lim,’ Xian gently removed him from the pleasing vision.

‘Yes?’

‘The British Isles are a long way from here—’

‘I know a little more of the world map than you might think.’

‘I just mean to say that it is a long way from anywhere you might call home.’

Lim scuffed his foot against the straw.‘I’ll be home well enough.You’ll be there.’

‘Song Lim.’Xian breathed his name, and sent a shiver up Lim’s spine.‘I’m not sure I’m worthy of such loyalty.’

Xian was too quick to belittle himself; a lifetime of habit, Lim supposed.

‘Lucky you don’t get to decide these things then,’ Lim said.‘So now we need a change of clothes for both of us, and a ship.’He grimaced.‘I’m not fond of the water, I’ve said that much.But so long as I have a few bottles of huangjiu with me that should see me through until we—’

The prince moved swiftly, a blur of pale skin and dark hair.Rushing up to press his lips against Lim’s.

The kiss came with such gentleness Lim’s heart leapt into his throat.He leaned in — before Xian left him — and brushed the tip of his tongue against the prince’s closed lips; wanting to know how much he could ask for.

The answer came in a soft gasp, and parting lips, a tentative heat meeting Lim’s own.

Lim deepened the kiss, his hand returning to cup Xian’s neck.He felt no resistance; the only whimper was one of soft delight.

Then it was over.The prince pulled away, and Lim let him go; making sure Xian knew he was master, and Lim his extraordinarily willing slave.

Xian touched his mouth, a hint of his blush evident even here in the gloom.

They stood wonderfully awkward; a sensation Lim had not felt since his very first kiss, too many years past.

‘So…I’ll wait in there?’Xian pointed towards the ramshackle abode.