Seduced by Myths: A Mythical Paranormal and Fantasy Anthology
Page 40
One by one, each phoenix was consumed its work.
In the distant horizon, dawn broke free and the sun’s radiance claimed the day once more.
Epilogue
I woke up and thought I was blind.
As I stiffened in panic, I realized that there was a cool cloth that covered my eyes and forehead.
“Hush, now. You’re fine.” The familiar voice worried me, especially since it sounded so near, almost as if it spoke from inside of me.
I could feel that I was laid out on a narrow cot or cushioned bench set low on the ground. The heat from Li next to me comforted me more than I cared to acknowledge. “Who’s there? Li?” I asked. “What’s happening? Why can’t I see?”
The compress lifted from my eyes. Everything was blurry, globs of light and dark everywhere. I could tell the difference between people and objects, but I still panicked that I my vision wasn’t clear. “Why can’t I see?” I whispered.
“Because you used up so much heat, that it boiled your optic nerves. Don’t worry, we’re healing you. You’ll be fine in no time.”
And as if his words became reality, the shapeless forms around me congealed, details filling in and coalescing until I could see as clearly as ever.
I wanted to sit up, but a firm hand kept me down. “It will be better if you rest just for a few more minutes.”
“But Hayato--” I started, fighting against the person’s hold. That was a mistake. A wave of nausea welled up from the pit of my stomach. I laid back down until the feeling went away. “The others. The Dragon Guard? The Villagers?”
“Safe. All of them. Thanks to you.”
I was grateful I was lying down. The emotional turmoil of knowing that we all survived the night shook me for a moment. I fought against the threat of tears, keeping them under control.
The cool cloth was pressed against my eyes once more, as if Li knew that I wouldn’t be comfortable shedding tears in public.
“Yeah, so you don’t have to worry about them, okay? Just worry about healing yourself.”
The next time I woke, my eyes opened of their own accord. That must have meant they healed and I was able to look at this person who knelt beside me.
I was unprepared for his presence. Li seemed to radiate light, as if from his very being. His eyes were liquid and large, with just a hint of gray that ringed the black of his iris.
I’d never been this close to a man before, at least not like this. There was a difference between working side by side with men who think you were also a man versus a man who knew she was a woman.
This fact shouldn’t change anything but I had a hard time believing that. All my life, being female gave me nothing but restriction and hardship. Why would anything make me think differently?
It made it more difficult that the man was handsome. I blamed his eyes. They were distracting.
“Why do I have the feeling that you’re happy but not because we survived?”
The enigmatic man smiled at me, which was probably his version of a charming smile. “Can’t I be happy that a precious life is saved?”
I raised my brow at that. And then I did the weirdest thing. I started giggling. “You’re silly,” I said before I could stop myself.
“Silly,” Li nodded. “I don’t mind being silly.” He winked at me.
I didn’t know if it was because I shivered under his gaze or if it was because I realized how cold I was? But I was suddenly aware that I laid on a cot in a simple cotton shift with my long black hair, tied in a braid, coiled around neck. When I realized what I looked like, and how much of my skin I was showing, I shrieked in response, diving for a blanket to cover me.
Immediately Li bolted to his feet, looking for the danger. The door to the room bursts open as well, with more men I didn’t know spilling inside.
Their faces blurred together as tears welled in my eyes at how embarrassing this all was. My gaze landed on the older man, who averted his eyes so that he bowed low at the waist. The others who entered with him also bowed to me.
“Good evening, Xiulan,” Master Wu said in kind greetings. “We didn’t mean to intrude. We thought there might have been an issue but I see that you are all right.”
“I apologize for troubling you. I was surprised, is all.”
The old man gave Li a suspicious look before turning his gaze back at me. “No need to explain at all. I can only imagine the surprise you experienced. Now, let us give you your privacy. All of us.” He said that pointedly to Li who ignored the look sheathing his sword. “Food is set out for you and the rest of the Dragon Guard. All are welcome to partake.”
As the other men filed out, Li gave me wink. I rounded my eyes in shock at his behavior while Master Wu glowered at him.
They shut the door without another word.
Only when I was alone did I give into my giggles. That Li was too much.
After the monsters were destroyed, and after Master Wu assessed the safety of the earth beneath our feet, it was declared that we would be able to leave the safety of the temple ground.
Captain Jun and his group of Dragon Guard, minus my brother Hayato, wait on horseback as the temple priests--who have decided to call themselves Phoenix Guard--Captain Jun led his contingent of Dragon Guard back to Lijiang village, the jade amulet in his hand and a wild story in his heart.
“What will you tell them, Captain?” I ask him on the morning of his departure.
“I’m unsure,” he admits. “I don’t like the idea of repeating a story where I didn’t lead in battle.” He wears a smile, but his eyes are tight and haunted. “But the Imperial Court needs to answer for their deceptions. The evil that they wrought in the world conjuring Yaomo. Manipulating the physician to create a resurrection draught. It’s all too much.” He shook his head, his rock-hard faith in his calling as a Dragon Guard put to the test. He met my gaze. “Are you sure that you want to stay here, Lady Xiulan? Would your father approve? Your mother?”
I no longer felt that old bitterness about wondering if I was good enough to win my parents’ approval.
I followed the line of energy that traveled from the nape of my neck and down toward my heart. That simmering heat that I now know is my phoenix spirit soared high and free inside of me. Attached to that phoenix were five dragons that circled around it.
“Yes, I’m sure,” I told him with a small smile. “Thank you for your concern Captain Jun. Please be at peace knowing that I approve of my decisions, and that is all that matters.”
The End
Thank you for reading Flame of the Phoenix. The Phoenix Court will be featured in third book of the Brightling Court series, So Deep the Ocean. Watch for it here:
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About the Author
Hi, I’m Elle Cross, and I write dark and magical stories. I live with my husband and the imaginary dog that we will one day adopt. I have a massive makeup collection and I’m grateful that, as a freelance makeup artist, I can justify buying even more.
When I’m not playing with color or characters, I can usually be found in the nearest diner or bubble tea shop trying to take the perfect picture of my drink while my husband rolls his eyes.
(Yes, we’re that couple. And, no, I don’t post my food pics on my Instagram feed.)
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