The tent was silent, save for the soft rustle of silk and the shallow breaths of two figures entwined on the bed. Outside, the campfires crackled, casting long shadows that danced across the canvas walls. Within, shame washed over Li Mei, a suffocating wave threatening to drown her. But beneath the despair, a flicker of defiance remained, a tiny ember refusing to be extinguished.
Li Mei lay motionless, acutely aware of Li Wei's strong hands roaming her bare skin. His touch was electric, igniting sparks wherever it landed. Calloused fingers traced the gentle curve of her hip, the dip of her waist, the swell of her breasts. She fought the urge to arch into his touch, to let the fire consume her.
Sunlight filtered through the tent, painting their entwined bodies in a soft golden glow. The dawn of a new day, yet the shadows of the night lingered. Li Wei's breath was hot against her neck, his lips a whisper away from her racing pulse. She could feel the hard planes of his body pressed against her back, a solid wall of muscle and scars.
A gentle breeze danced through the tent flaps, carrying with it the scent of dew-kissed grass and smoldering embers. The distant sounds of the waking camp drifted in - the clang of pots, the whinny of horses, the murmur of voices.
Li Mei's eyes fluttered open, the harsh reality of her situation crashing down upon her. She was trapped, a prisoner in the enemy's bed, her body bearing the marks of his conquest. A sob caught in her throat, but she swallowed it back, refusing to give him the satisfaction of her tears.
With a surge of adrenaline, she pushed against Li Wei's chest, her hands finding purchase on his broad shoulders. He stirred, his grip tightening momentarily before loosening in his sleep. Seizing the opportunity, Li Mei wriggled free, scrambling off the bed and onto the cold floor.
Her movements were clumsy, her limbs heavy with exhaustion and shame. She fumbled for her discarded robe, pulling it on with trembling hands. The fabric offered little comfort, its softness a cruel reminder of the violation she had endured.
Li Mei glanced back at Li Wei, his face relaxed in sleep, a stark contrast to the ruthless warrior she knew him to be. A flicker of vulnerability crossed his features, a glimpse of the boy he once was, before war hardened his heart.
For a fleeting moment, Li Mei felt a pang of pity. But it was quickly replaced by a surge of anger. He was the enemy, the destroyer of her home.
"There is no escape."
Li Mei's blood ran cold as she heard Li Wei's words. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, threatening to burst through her ribcage.
Li Wei sat up on the bed, his gaze sweeping over her broken down robe as she desperately tried to cover up her naked body.
But he saw through her meager attempts. "That won't work," he said with a sneer, pulling himself up and striding towards her.
With a flick of his hand, he removed the flimsy robe, leaving Li Mei standing before him completely exposed.
His hands roamed over her body again, causing shivers to run down her spine and stopping at her breasts where he grasped them firmly with both hands.
As she stood there, tears welled up in her eyes but she fought to keep them from falling, not wanting to anger Li Wei any further. He stared into her eyes, relishing the power he held over her as she stood there vulnerable and helpless.
With a smirk, he released her and strode to a nearby cabinet, retrieving a new robe. He tossed it towards her with a careless flick of his wrist. "Put this on," Li Wei commanded, his voice dripping with arrogance.
Li Mei quickly snatched the robe, pulling it over her trembling body. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely a breath.
"Thank you, huh?" he echoed, stalking towards her like a predator cornering its prey. "Just remember, you belong to me now. Yesterday I only touched you, but next time, if you try to escape again, I will do much worse." His tone was cold and menacing, his words punctuated by a chilling smile that sent shivers down Li Mei's spine.
Before the tension could escalate further, a voice from outside the tent called out to him, interrupting their charged exchange. The sudden intrusion seemed to snap Li Wei back to reality, and he abruptly turned towards the tent's entrance, leaving Li Mei alone with her swirling thoughts and fears.
"What's happening?" Li Wei demanded as he emerged from the tent.
"An army approaches, my lord," Zhao Fei reported, his voice taut.
"One hundred thousand soldiers," Li Wei mused, a chilling smile spreading across his face as he strode towards the main command tent. "So they've come to rescue Li Mei, I presume." He entered the tent and seated himself at the command table, where a map of the region lay spread out.
"Indeed," Zhao Fei confirmed, a note of confusion in his voice. "But I fail to understand why they would mobilize such a vast force for a mere village chief."
"Because she is a Li, you fool," Li Wei retorted, pausing for a moment. "She is my treacherous uncle's adopted daughter. He betrayed the Yan Kingdom and fled to Jiun." His eyes scanned the map, calculating his next move.
"Is that why you've taken her captive?" Zhao Fei inquired.
"It is," Li Wei affirmed, rising to his feet. "She will be the first prize in my conquest of the Jiun Kingdom." He barked orders to his soldiers, preparing them for the impending battle.
"They have one hundred thousand soldiers," Zhao Fei observed, "while we have only fifteen thousand."
"And my full army awaits beyond the border, ready to strike when needed," Li Wei added, a glint of ruthless determination in his eyes.
Li Wei stands up abruptly, his eyes blazing with determination as he exits the tent and marches back to his own. "Zhao Fei, prepare for battle," he commands with a deadly edge to his voice. Just the thought of facing their enemies ignites a fierce fire within him, and he can't wait to unleash it upon them.