Page 25 of The Cinders

He could almost hear the swirl of the prince’s thoughts, the internal battle he waged.Clearly, he felt freer without it, but it must have made him feel vulnerable too…exposed in a way Lim had no right to ask of him.He was ready to tell the prince to ignore what he’d said when Xian spoke.

‘It is much more comfortable for me…’ he turned his gaze downwards.‘So long as you don’t mind…’

‘Mind what?Being able to see for certain when you are wincing at a terrible joke I’ve told?’

The prince’s smile, seen in its entirety and not just in his eyes, was almost as lovely as his feet.‘Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.’

‘No, I don’t mind in the slightest.’

Xian exhaled, returning to calmness.‘I’d like to try the slippers on, if I’ve not changed your mind with that outburst?’Xian watched him through black lashes, a wariness about him; like a fox approaching a piece of meat he feared lay in a trap.

‘Hardly an outburst, your highness.I’ve many a good friend whose worries can bother them in such a way.I’m just glad to see you recovered.And as for the shoes, my mind cannot be changed about something that is undeniable.’Lim settled back on his heels and picked up the slippers.‘These are yours.You shall see.’

‘Spoken like a true merchant, peddling his wares.’The teasing tone was sunshine streaming through a storm cloud.Xian regathered his robe, baring his feet once more.‘Let us see then.’

Lim set to work.He cupped Xian’s left heel and found the prince fit perfectly into his palm, his skin warm and smooth.‘Now just ease your toes in at first, don’t force it.’

But he need not have said anything at all.The slipper slid over Xian’s toes as if the shoe had been oiled with butter.At the heel, he barely applied any pressure upwards, and the slipper was fastened there.A shoe never worn, needing no encouragement at all to find its place.Lim felt every bit as awed as Xian sounded.

‘Oh, Song Lim.’The prince lifted his robe higher, leaning down to observe the slipper that nestled on his foot.‘It feels like velvet…this material…it is a miracle.’He dipped his toes back and forth, and a hint of moonshine glinted.‘The other one…quickly.’

Lim wasted no time in heeding the prince’s command.But with Xian so busy admiring his clad foot, he neglected to raise the other, leaving Lim to run his hand over the back of his calf, following it down to where his leg tapered to the slenderness of his ankle.With gentle pressure, he lifted the prince’s foot; a motion Lim had gone through a thousand times before, but none of those had made his throat dry, the skin on his palm tingle.

The second slipper fit as easily as the first, and there was nothing to suggest any change was needed, but either from habit, or desire, Lim ran his fingertip along the edge, skirting Xian’s skin, ensuring the fit was not too tight.He pressed at the toes, checking they were not squeezed into an uncomfortable shape by the narrow point.The prince did not say a word, his soft exhales even, unburdened by the panic of earlier.

‘Not too tight?’Lim knew the answer, but he was selfish.If he let go now, who knew when such a chance would return?

‘No.Not too tight.Nor too loose.’Xian set his free foot down, tapping the low heel against the floor.‘Nor too high, or too low.They are superb.’

With reluctance, Lim opened his hand, and the prince slid his foot free.

‘They are yours.’He smiled, but already was thinking how different the Governor’s manor would feel without the prince’s presence.The fates were unkind to have their paths cross, then send them in different directions so soon after.Something of this man had burrowed beneath his skin.‘A pity they are not suitable for dancing.I could make you new dance shoes when you return?If you like?’

He’d never been one for asking to be employed either, and here he was, sounding pathetically hopeful.

‘Oh, but I can dance in these.’Xian rose to his feet, keeping his robe lifted as he turned about in graceful circles.‘I feel bare-footed, it is so wonderful.They flex like a second skin.’He unclenched one hand, allowing the fabric to flow as he twirled about, his moves every bit as mesmerising as when he’d performed the yayue.‘I shall take these to Manhao, and tell everyone who asks that there is a master shoemaker in Kunming.You shall be inundated with orders, I’m certain.’

His entire countenance brightened as he swayed beneath the watchful eye of the goddess.Lim could not help but be brightened too.

‘I only have two hands, maybe only tell half the people who ask.’

Laughter flew like butterflies, full of life, from the prince.‘Very well.Be ready for a summons to Manhao, Shoemaker Lim.I’ll send word as soon as I have enough custom to make the journey worth your while.’

Now, that was a thought that had Lim’s head feeling light, his restless feet ready to march back to his workshop that instant and pack for a trip south.He’d not been to Manhao, avoiding smaller river towns, thinking them likely full of sailors and merchants and workingmen who’d only want their boots repaired; men of their ilk were hard to convince to let go of worn shoes that were practically fused to their feet.

But that was before he’d found the owner of his slippers.

‘I shall wait for your summons with high hopes and bated breath.’Lim laughed, watching diamond moonlight spill from the prince’s feet as he twisted and turned, bowing low to the goddess, then dancing on the point of one slipper, kicking out his leg in such a way that the layers of gown spilled around him like the blooming petals of a deep red flower.

‘Evening to you, guardsman.’The voice came from outside, beyond their warm and private space.‘Late for you to be out this way, is it not.’

Xian’s dance came to an abrupt halt, his hands flying to his veil.His joy extinguished.‘That is Daoshi Wenming.He warns us.’

‘Warns us about what?’

‘Return to your bed, old daoshi,’ a curt voice returned.‘I am sent to ensure Prince Xian remains in prayer.’

Lim pressed his lips, understanding now.The old man kept the visitor at bay for them.