up to rub at his shoulder. ‘Like I said, children.’
Fei Long didn’t realise how easily others looked up to him. She’d seen it among the servants of the household and even the actors in the Pear Blossom Garden. No matter how much he distanced himself, people were drawn to him. She was drawn to him as well, hopelessly so.
‘Dao told me you were flawless that day.’
‘She’s mistaken.’
‘You’re being humble,’ she admonished.
‘Humility is a virtue.’ He rotated his arm in small circles, wincing slightly.
‘Here, let me help.’
Yan Ling forced herself to sound casual, but her throat went dry. She moved around behind him before her courage slipped away. Holding her breath, she placed her hands on his shoulders.
Fei Long lowered his arm and grew still, but didn’t protest. She ran her hands over his back, curving over hard muscle and sinew. Her touch was gentle at first, tenuous. With each breath, her hands became more confident. She roamed over the span of his shoulders. His muscles were knotted into tight, unrelenting cords.
How many times had she wanted to do this while they were together in the study? Every time Fei Long had set down a letter to rub a hand over his temples, she’d imagined being bold enough to go to him.
‘No wonder the arrows aren’t hitting. You’re so tense here.’ She worked her thumbs in small circles near the base of his neck. Her pulse leapt as her fingertips grazed the back of his neck. Skin to skin. It was a wonder to be able to touch him.
‘Maybe I make you nervous,’ she teased.
‘I don’t get nervous.’ His reply sounded strained.
She sank down further onto her knees and closer to him. She used the leverage to increase the pressure, rubbing at his neck and shoulders in earnest. A single breath filled him, then released slowly. She paused to absorb the shape and feel of him.
She swallowed to regain her voice. ‘Better?’
He didn’t say anything. His head tilted up and down as he nodded. A breeze blew by. A few figures appeared at the other end of the park, but she didn’t care. They were alone together in the great city.
‘Yan,’ he said finally. ‘Inspector Tong sent a message to the house yesterday.’
‘I know.’ Her hands slipped from him, lingering for just a second at the base of his neck. She stared at the contours of his shoulder blades through his robe.
‘Not much longer now.’
‘Don’t you think about that,’ she said harshly. Fei Long prohibited all talk about his recovery. She could refuse to talk about Khitan. ‘Just focus on what needs to be done.’
‘Hitting the target,’ he murmured.
He picked up the bow and stood. She would have hoped to see the legend suddenly emerge, but it was more of the same. Fei Long still struggled to hit the centre, but there was a definite change. He didn’t seem as displeased with himself. She didn’t know if that was progress or not.
When the quiver was empty once again, she walked ahead to collect the arrows. As she returned, she saw Fei Long as a lone figure in the field of green. He had set the bow aside and stood completely still, not moving.
‘Are we returning now?’ she asked.
He turned to her slowly, his expression weighted and grim. She didn’t know why, but her heart started pounding and her breath became short. She couldn’t read anything in his demeanour. There was a storm cloud of warning about him and she could feel his gaze searing into her.
Fei Long nodded once. Yan Ling moved quickly to where the horse was tied. Something was coming and the weight of the inevitable hung over them. The warmth of the day transformed into an unbearable heat.
She slipped beneath the shade of the trees and bent to set the quiver down. As soon as she straightened, Fei Long was there. Her heart jumped from the shock of his nearness.
‘I would give it all up,’ he rasped.
She must have heard wrong. Her throat closed so tight she had to fight for the next breath.
‘I would give it all up for you,’ Fei Long said again, stronger this time. She staggered back a step as he came forwards. ‘Yan Ling.’
He closed the distance between them. His hands came around her waist and his eyes darkened with an unfettered hunger she had never seen. Their bodies brushed as he pulled her close.
‘What are you saying?’ Her hands were trapped against his chest. She didn’t know whether to flee or cling