Chapter Song Suggestion - "Celebration by Alexander Nakarada"
Inka woke up with a splitting headache, groaning softly as she rolled over in bed. She just wanted to lay there for the entire day and do nothing. Next time she was going to think twice before indulging in rice wine.
"Are you awake?" A soft, husky timbre whispered next to her ear.
Eyes bulging wide, she jack-knifed to a sitting position and glanced at the man sitting elegantly beside her in his nightclothes – pure white silk, emphasizing the width of his chest. "What are you doing in my bed?" She shoved aside her tangled hair to better glare at him.
Calmly turning the page of his book, Kyou replied. "It's my bed. You refused to sleep alone, and I had no choice but to bring you here."
Her cheeks turned rosy as she took in the view of his bedchamber. It was spacious, neat, and had minimal decoration – the only bright spot of colour was the fresh vase of flowers sitting on the windowsill. Flustered, she hastily clambered off. "I am so sorry! I…I…,"
Deep down, Kyou enjoyed seeing her at a loss for words. Setting down his book, he casually teased. "You were extremely feisty last night."
"I was?" She inhaled sharply, glancing down at her body. Her clothes were still intact. "W-we…we didn't…did we?"
He bit back a smirk, tugging the hem of his collar to reveal a set of teeth marks on his collarbone. "No, we didn't but you did – you mistook me for a dumpling."
Inka's face turned a deeper shade of crimson, her fingers covering her eyes. "Please, forgive me!" She prayed for the earth to open and swallow her whole.
Getting up, he approached her in slow but deliberate steps. Hooking his finger below her chin, he lifted those remorseful eyes to his. "If you're truly sorry, then you'll stay put for another week. That's your punishment."
Her spirit returned. "That's not fair! You can't keep me here."
"I already have." His tone granite hard. "Don't push your luck, witch."
Silver brows knitted in consternation. "Why are you so insistent that I stay?"
Kyou's face betrayed not a single emotion. "Because we have unfinished business. Have you forgotten last evening?" His thumb found the softness of her lower lip, bringing back a hazy memory of their kiss. "I find you intriguing and until I'm bored, you're not going anywhere."
"I'm not a toy!" she retorted hotly, jerking her chin away. Defiance radiated from her every pore. "And it was just a kiss. I'm sure you've kissed plenty of women. I'm no different."
But she was, he wanted to argue. And that was the problem. He wanted more. Mouth flattening in disagreement, he refused to admit it. Cupping her nape, he yanked her forward until their breaths mingled.
Inka's heart stuttered at the endless abyss of his eyes framed by long lashes.
"You'll stay and that's final." He stunned her by stealing another kiss, his tongue flicking playfully over closed lips. His eyes were laughing. "And now it's two kisses. I look forward to having more."
She stared dumbfounded. The only words floating through her head was 'I need to get out of here.'
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It was no easy feat to escape from a heavily guarded palace but, Inka had always been a willful child. To her mother's distress, she had often snuck out hunting with the boys. It was on the third day that she overheard the maids scheduling a visit to the market. An idea formed in her head. On the day itself, she trailed after the maid in question, knocked her out and stole her clothes.
Pulling the hood over her hair, she flashed the maid's gate pass and hurriedly left, sneaking a peek at the palace one final time. A hint of sadness lingered, knowing she would never see Kyou again but, important lives were at stake. She imagined how mad he would be once he discovered she had escaped. But soon, she would become a distant memory. It was probably for the best.
Travelling light was an advantage but it meant she had nothing but the clothes on her back, and the bow and arrow she had traded her necklace for – her mother's heirloom. Touching her empty breastbone, she felt its absence.
Sighing, she walked along Beihai's busy streets, thinking of a way to get to Donggu when the aromatic scent of freshly steamed pork belly buns tickled her nose. Her stomach growled instantly. She patted her clothes and found a small bag of coins she had pilfered from the maid, feeling a twinge of guilt. But she was hungry…
A loud crash stole her attention, and a man came sailing out of a tea shop, landing unceremoniously on his bottom. Emerging from behind, the pot-bellied owner raged with his fist in the air. "If I find you sniffing around my daughter one more time, I'll make sure you never see daylight again!"
The man righted his fallen turban, looking apologetic. "Pardon me. I had no idea she was your daughter."
"Get out of here!" The shop owner barked.
Standing up, the unusually dressed man dusted his clothes and walked off — like nothing had happened. She didn't understand why but her legs chased after him. "Wait a minute, sir!"
He spun around, causing her to stop short at his indescribable beauty – eyes of deep-sea green that set off his dark colouring but, what made him stunning were those long lashes and razor-sharp cheekbones. Though his hair was mostly hidden beneath the turban, she caught a hint of cinnamon brown.
"Are you done gawking, my lady?" he quipped; brows raised. There was no offense, just plain resignation suggesting she wasn't the first idiot who stared at him.
"I-I'm sorry!" She blushed. "I've just never seen a man as beautiful as you."
He burst into uncontrollable laughter. Perplexed yet intrigued, she asked. "Why are you laughing?"
"Why am I laughing, she asks," he shook his head, brushing away the tears. "You are an interesting young lady. I have been told I am attractive, dazzling and even exotic but, no one has ever called me beautiful to my face."
"Well, it's true. You are the most beautiful man I have ever seen." Her statement was pure and without artifice.
It elicited a natural smile, his pearly teeth a contrast against light caramel skin. "You are a rare, honest soul." He extended his hand. "My name is Ryuu. What is yours?"
"I am Inka." She accepted his gesture of greeting.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Inka," he said, kissing the back of her hand.
Cheeks colouring, she snatched her hand away. "D-don't do that, it's not seemly."
"Ahhh." Understanding dawned upon him. "It's rare to meet a maiden these days. You're not from this part of town, are you? Where are you headed?"
"No, I'm from the Shiryuu mountains headed for Donggu."
"The desert mountains?" He was mildly surprised. "That's a harsh environment for a young woman to live in." Ryuu studied her features intently, unable to see much beneath the shadow of her hood. Only the tribe natives live in the mountains. Which tribe was she from?
"I grew up there so it's no hardship at all." She simply shrugged, hinting at her toughness.
"Your fortitude is commendable," he remarked, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "And why are you headed to Donggu?"
She hesitated, uncertain to confide in a stranger. Ryuu sensed her reluctance and simply grinned. "Well, it's fine if you don't want to tell me. If our positions were reversed, I would be unwilling to trust me too."
Right on cue, her stomach rumbled. Inka was mortified when he smiled. "Why don't I treat you to a meal?"
"Oh, you shouldn't," she half-heartedly declined. "I don't have any money to pay you back." At least, money that wasn't hers.
"Don't be silly," he waved off her refusal. "That's why I say it's on me."
"Why?" Her tone was baffled. "I'm a stranger to you."
"My gut tells me you're a good person, and right now you seem like a lost soul in need of help."
It wasn't his words but the way he said them that made her relax her guard. "I don't suppose you know the way to Donggu?" She hoped she didn't sound too desperate for a guide.
"Coincidentally, that is my next destination."
She held up both hands to assuage him. "I don't wish to trouble you if it's inconvenient."
"Nonsense, I would love to have a travelling companion."
His easy acquiescence brought a smile to her face, removing her hidden anxieties. While she knew better than to trust a stranger, he didn't seem like a bad man. "How long have you been travelling?"
For a split second, sadness swam in his eyes. "Long enough to ramble on like an old man. Come on," he urged, "I know a good restaurant around the corner. We can continue our conversation there."