Chapter 8 A Sudden Nightmare
That night I had a nightmare.
In the dream, iron chains locked my limbs. The ground was a quagmire mixed with dark blood. Everything around me was endless black. A crushing fear rose in my chest. A man's invasive voice whispered beside my ear, "Rong Yao, would it not be better if you stayed here?"
I struggled with all my strength but it was useless. Cold fingers slid along my spine and under my clothes. I tried to cry for help but my throat was clamped shut. No sound came out.
Then a black-iron curved blade split the chains from above. Someone lifted me around the waist, swung onto a horse, and rode away. The movements were swift and clean, the shoulders straight and strong. I could only see the tight line of his jaw.
"Imperial Princess, your subordinate arrived late."
My nose stung. I was about to call his name when the scene changed again.
Spring flowers bloomed. I opened my eyes to find myself lying beneath a peach tree, my head resting on Xie Ning's lap. He lounged with one leg bent, relaxed and unrestrained. A small flower wreath settled gently on my head.
I sat up happily. "When did you make this?"
Xie Ning wiped the dust from my face with his thumb. "Only one hand. It took a little longer."
I blinked. "What about your other hand?"
A shadow fell over me. I looked up and saw his left hand shielding me from the sun. Sunlight filtered through his fingers in broken patterns. He laughed softly.
"Rong Yao is a sleepyhead. This hand is only good for shading you."
Before I could take his hands the scene turned dark once more.
Cold rain fell like needles. Blood and fire filled the air.
The youth holding me collapsed to the ground.
His hair was soaked with rain and blood.
Arrows had pierced his back. Xie Ning's arms were cold, soaking my clothes.
More arrows came without mercy and pinned him to the earth.
He lifted his eyelids with effort and smiled at me.
His eyes slowly lost their light. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth and dropped onto my face one by one, burning like fire. The storm swallowed everything.
I jolted awake, gasping. My head throbbed.
A Li hurried over and patted my back. "Imperial Princess, has the old headache returned?"
She took medicine from her sleeve. "Take this first."
I looked at the bottle and remembered that Rong Che had obtained the spirit medicine for me last year. A cold smile curved my lips. When had he ever been so kind?
"No need."
I pushed the bottle away and stood. "Is Xie Ning in the valley today? I want to see him."