They stumbled into the pavilion.
Despite it being a large structure, it was open to the elements through arched entrances on all four sides.
The storm howled through the wind tunnels it created, stinging ice whipping down the corridors and debris blowing across the smooth floors.
Meili huddled against the wall in terror, covering her face with her hands to protect it from the whip-like sleet.
She felt Bai Li move to cover her. He stood with his legs apart and used his body to shelter hers. Covering her entirely, he placed his arms on either side of her head, pressing his hands and forearms against the wall.
He kept a careful inch between them, but Meili tucked her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist in a desperate embrace, thoughtless of the consequences as she feared for her life.
Bai Li, even in the midst of the fearful storm, was more than aware that they stood in a tight embrace. The prince and Tan Bowen had taken shelter behind the stele together, so he and Meili couldn't be seen.
He decided just to enjoy the feeling of having her arms wrapped around him, her soft body pressed against his. He had tried to leave an inch between them in decency, but as he felt her shiver violently, he gave up on even that idea and pressed her closer.
He ducked his head to rest it on hers protectively.
His emotions started to rage, and he was suddenly thankful for the icy cold…
In the tiny space between his arms, she peeped fearfully up at him as the storm raged on. He stared into her eyes. Neither spoke, the wind was too loud for words.
He gave her a small suggestive grin, instantly distracting her and easing her fears.
Only this man would smile in such a situation! He rarely even smiled when things were wonderful!
But she felt a great sense of security in that look. That he could tease her even now, meant that they would be okay.
'Thank you,' she mouthed silently to him.
He just continued to stare intensely into her eyes, that half amused smile still playing on his lips.
Now she suddenly felt the tightness of their hug, and she moved slightly to put some space between them. He pressed himself after her, raising one eyebrow at her as if to say, 'what can you do about it'? And 'what am I doing wrong'?
Insufferable man! He was enjoying this teasing, she realised.
Bai Li watched her with amusement as her fear turned to embarrassment and then to anger. Her face was such an open book to him. If only he could read her mind, he would have this puzzle completely solved…
She glared at him. This was much better he thought. He didn't want her to be frightened. She could be angry at him all she liked.
She really did feel like they'd been stuck in this intimate clinch for an hour before finally, the gale force winds started to ease, and the man stepped back.
"I don't know whether to thank you for saving me again or scold you for being too close to a woman."
"I'd prefer the former, if you're choosing," he said lightly.
"Hmmph. Well, I do sincerely thank you Commander Bai. If you hadn't been there, I don't know what would have happened to me."
He bowed graciously, accepting her thanks.
"I won't forget your kindness to me. I hope I can repay you some day."
"So do I," he said unsmilingly.
What did that mean? She was hopelessly indebted to him now. How could she hope to repay him for two of her lives? He was an army commander for goodness sake; what chance did she have to save his life in return?
"W…well," she stumbled, "you must let me know if you have something in mind that I can do in return."
"I will."
She turned to go and find Tan Bowen and the prince.
"I already have," he said into the wind.
The other two men emerged from behind the stele.
Tan Bowen grinned widely at her. "That was intense."
"That's an understatement," growled the prince. "Damn near blew me right off my feet."
The men looked more closely at Mei Meili. Her hair had been blown into a mass of tousled waves that floated about her head and her lips and cheeks glowed with windburn.
She reminded Tan Bowen of the women he would see exiting rooms at Beautiful Fragrance House, slightly dishevelled but very sensual. He tried to bury that thought deep down.
Her silk dress was soaked through, and it clung tightly to all of her curves. The slits for walking had torn higher while she was being piggybacked, exposing glimpses of her slender porcelain thighs.
All three men seemed to notice this delightful picture at the same moment. She looked between their faces, wondering what they were staring at. She touched her cheek.
"Have I been scratched by a branch?"
"No, no!" they all shouted at once, each of them removing his cloak and rushing forwards. "Here take this Miss Mei, you must be freezing," said the prince.
"No take my cloak Mei Meili, it's lined with fur," said Tan Bowen.
"Miss Mei," said Bai Li gruffly, pushing forward his soldier's cape.
She stared at all three of them wide-eyed. Something was definitely up.
She looked down and saw the tears in her dress and her cheeks were suffused with pink.
Whose cloak to take? She didn't want to offend anyone. Tan Bowen's seemed like the least threatening.
"Thank you, Tan Bowen," she smiled at him. "I hope this won't leave you too freezing? It seems my dress has been torn in the gale so I must trouble you."
"No trouble, no trouble," he assured her. Smiling triumphantly at the prince.
She wrapped the cloak about her shoulders. It was so long that it draped the ground all around her like an elaborate train on a princess.
Snow had started to fall softly and heavily, and the light was almost completely gone.
"We'll have to sleep in the pavilion tonight and make our way out in the morning," said Bai Li. "The guards know we're out in the storm, so they'll be here by first light."