Page 87 of The Cinders

Xian curled his hand around the slipper.‘He wasn’t…or well, he likely was, but it would make little difference.Please, tell me what he told you.I must know.’

Lim looked up.‘You said you had an encounter, one you fear telling me about…is it to do with this William?Did something unpleasant happen between you?’

‘No…well something happened, but it was not all unpleasant.’Xian stared down at the slipper; tracing and retracing the line of golden scales.‘He…enlightened me, Lim.In a way that has changed me completely.’

A strangled sound came from Lim, and Xian raised his head.

‘I see.’The shoemaker held himself so tightly it must have pained him where his arm was cut.‘And here I am, keeping you from being further enlightened.’

‘What?Why would you say that?’

‘I’m just saying, you must be eager to return to Sir William, and now with such lovely shoes to delight him.I expect he’ll be enraptured by them.’

Xian blinked, quite at a loss.‘Why would I wish to show him the slippers?’

‘Who am I to say what goes on between you.’Lim drummed his fingers against blood-soaked fabric.Looking everywhere but at Xian.‘But I’d be careful there, Xian.Very careful indeed.That man is not the type to keep only one lover in his bed.’

‘Master Song!’Xian set down the slipper heavily, pleased at how it caused the shoemaker to wince.‘You are the very last man I thought would cast such cruel words my way.’

Lim’s scowl was replaced by a look of horror.‘Cruel?Your Highness—’

‘Xian.’

‘Xian, damn it,’ Lim shook his head in frustration.‘Never, ever would I say such words to be cruel.I am just…’

He paused so long, Xian glared at him.‘Just what, Master Song?’

‘Lim.’

Xian kept his lips pressed tight, still reeling from the suggestion he’d been bedded by Sir William Black.How by the Seven Maidens had Lim jumped to such a wild conclusion as that?

The shoemaker sighed.‘I am acting the jealous fool, forgive me.’

‘Jealous?’Xian blinked.Not a single person alive had said such a thing to him.‘You are jealous…at thought of me laying with Sir William?’

Lim groaned, covering his ears.‘Can you not speak of it so plainly?I am pleased, truly, if you have found some solace here.It has just come as a surprise, that is all.’

‘You are not alone in that surprise, Lim.’

‘Well, that’s…I’m happy for you, your highness.I just ask that you are careful around him.His type enjoy toying with hearts.I’ve known their type…damn it, I’vebeenhis type, I’m sure.’His face was covered in a dark blush.‘Now, would you like me to check the fitting of the slippers for you?’

‘You are being ridiculous,’ Xian shouted, his own face burning with heat.‘I’ve not taken him to my bed.I’ve never taken anyone to my bed.So stop this at once.’

The Dragon King could have come to life, and eaten Xian whole, and he’d not have struggled; the conversation had turned into a nightmare.He pressed his veil over his face, dying a hundred deaths.

‘That is a relief.’Lim groaned.‘No, I mean…I’m relieved Sir William wasn’t your…’ Another groan.‘Let’s forget him altogether.’

‘I can’t do that, Lim.’Mercy’s scales were sharp against Xian’s clenched fingers.‘Will you listen while I tell you as much as I can, before Chen returns?’

‘Of course.’Lim hurried the four brief steps it took to cross the small pavilion, and sat down next to Xian, pushing the gown aside to bring himself closer.‘But I must say something first.I wish for us to leave here, Xian.I fear for you, in Mandarin Feng’s palace, in Manhao itself.This is not a safe place for you, and I do not refer to Sir William alone in that, though he bothers me just as well.But I’ll not embarrass myself again by speaking on him.’He grimaced.‘Can you ever forgive me for all that horrendous babble just now?I lose my senses where you are concerned.’

Xian set down the slipper on his lap, flustered by the shoemaker’s confession.His whole body trembled, but he turned so that his knee nudged Lim’s thigh; offering what closeness he could to a man that deserved far more.‘I know…’How you feel, he wished to say.I am the same.But other words had to come first.‘I know I am not safe here, nor are you, now they know you have come for me.There was never an intention for me to return to Kunming.I have been handed over.’Cast aside for the second time in his life.‘And fear what the mandarin intends as my purpose.’

Lim’s grim expression told Xian the shoemaker shared his fears, but he took Xian’s hands in his, and leaned close.‘Whatever he intended shall not come to pass.I promise you that.’He lifted Xian’s hand to his lips, watchful for signs his touch wasn’t welcome.Xian nodded; breathing in the scent of the indomitable man who held him.

Lim kissed the back of Xian’s hand, a lingering touch of soft lips, and heated breath; burning away all that had passed, and all that would be.He swore he heard the rapid beat of the shoemaker’s heart, matching his own.

‘I want to tell you everything, Song Lim.But there is not much time.Master Chen is returning.’