Dragon Rebellion

by M. Lynn

  After avoiding Bo for too long, Jian sought him out in the palace courtyard where he sat side by side with Luca.

  Luca grinned when he caught sight of Jian, but Bo’s reaction was more reserved.

  Jian sat on the bench beside the two men who’d once been Jian’s only family.

  After a few moments of silence, Bo sighed. “I know you don’t understand.”

  That was the thing. Jian did understand, but it didn’t make it easier. “I love you, Bo. I just need you to know that. And Piao needs you now more than ever.”

  Bo was quiet for a long moment. “I’ve always loved you, brother.”

  Even when the rest of the palace had nothing but scorn for the bastard son of a consort, Bo had loved him. Just like Luca.

  Luca bumped Jian’s shoulder. “So, my betrothal is broken, isn’t it?”

  A smile slid across Jian’s lips. “I sure hope so.”

  Luca laughed. “It was an interesting conversation with my father when he asked why he saw Hua kissing you. Then Song told him you deserved Hua more than I did. I always knew she liked you better than me.”

  Jian smiled at the thought of Luca’s family. They’d returned to their home, thankful Song’s husband was among the injured who arrived from the Liudong Valley. “You didn’t want to marry Hua, anyway.”

  “No. But I would have. And I think we’d have been content.”

  “Is content all that matters?” Jian fixed both men with a stare. “Shouldn’t we strive for happy? For fulfilled?”

  Luca laughed. “For most in Piao, that is just a dream.”

  But did it have to be? “A new age has come to Piao.” Jian stood. “Maybe it’s time for a new way of life.” He stood and put a hand on each of their shoulders. “Wherever I go, you two will forever be my family.”

  Bo looked up at him with glassy eyes. “That means you’re not staying, doesn’t it? You won’t continue to command my army?”

  Jian shook his head as he saw a new future before him. “I think I’m due for a quiet life now.”

  His brother nodded. “Be happy, Jian.”

  “You too, Bo.” He met Bo’s eyes, trying to communicate with just a look, before tearing himself away from his two brothers and walking from the courtyard without looking back.

  Jian pulled Hua in close to his side as they stood in the crowded square waiting to hear the emperor speak. Gen and Fa Minglan readied Heima, hitching her to the small wagon Bo had given them for the journey.

  Nainai put a hand on Hua’s shoulder as Ru bent to wrap his arms around Chichi. In a few moments, they’d leave Dasha behind, but not before hearing Bo’s victory address.

  Jian could imagine what he’d say. They’d won. Dasha had pulled together.

  The empire would support the families of the lost.

  But as Bo walked to the top of the steps, Jian knew this was a moment Piao would never forget.

  “People of Piao.” Bo raised his arms, starting with all the things Jian had known he’d say. Finally, he looked to the future. “The path before Piao is one of peace, and if we are to hold it in our grasps, we must change the way we live our lives. Someone I love very much told me we can’t live to be content. It is time all of those in Piao strive for more, and that starts with me. Which is why I have chosen today to name my heir.”

  A gasp wound through the crowd. Bo had no children.

  He continued. “It has become obvious to me who has the mandate of heaven to rule after me and to carry on the Wei dynasty. This boy fought beside us all in the recent battle, he has shown himself to have unmatched bravery and kindness, a combination that cannot be ignored.”

  Bo gestured to a surprised looking Duyi. “Join me, didi.” Duyi walked forward with tentative steps, and Bo grasped his hand. “I cannot have children, but my brother will carry on once I am gone.”

  Jian stilled. Bo couldn’t have children? The crowd shouted questions, but Bo only nodded to Duyi. In his next breath, he brought the traditions of Piao tumbling to the ground. “I will no longer keep consorts in this palace. The three honorable ladies who have served me will be taken care of, but I have no more need of such a practice.”

  The consorts, unlike Duyi, looked like they’d been told in advance. Smiles graced each of their faces. Lihua, making her first appearance with a scar stretching across her cheek, rushed down the steps, pushing through the crowd. She flung herself into the arms of a shocked Zhao.

  Bo was still talking, and Jian looked back to him, his heart pounding in his chest as Bo changed Piao forever.

  “I have chosen to marry.”

  The words shocked Jian more than any other until he saw Luca go completely still in his place behind Bo.

  Bo didn’t seem to notice as he pushed on, but Jian saw where this was going. Bo said he couldn’t have kids. He chose someone else to carry on the dynasty and disbanded the harem.

  A smile overtook Jian’s face as Hua gasped. “Is he…”

  Bo turned to Luca finally. “I guess I should make sure it’s okay with him.”

  Luca’s face paled. Jian had watched his brother and his best friend dance around their feelings for each other most of their lives. Neither of them had understood what it meant, only that acting on those feelings wasn’t a possibility for them.

  Until now.

  In the aftermath of a great victory, Piao would give Bo whatever he wanted.

  And what he wanted was Luca.

  Luca didn’t react at first, but slowly, tentatively, he nodded. Joy lit up Bo from the inside out, and he pressed a kiss to the stunned Luca as the crowd murmured in surprise before erupting into cheers.

  Master Delun stepped up beside Nainai and kissed her cheek. Their reunion had obviously gone well. “It seems everything is as it needs to be.”

  Jian bent to skim Hua’s ear with his lips. “Yes. It is.”

  41

  Hua

  Hua had never taken the chance to marvel at the beauty of the landscape she’d seen her entire life. On the outskirts of Zhouchang, the fields rolled as far as anyone could see with creek beds crisscrossing from the hills to the trees.

  She lifted her face to the sun warming the morning, thankful to be past the winter chills. Soon, it would be time to plant the crops, but until then, the Minglans focused on rebuilding their lives. When they’d returned from Dasha a few months before, the only structure still intact on their land was the barn.

  In the back of her mind, she remembered the fire that took her family’s home. She remembered the flames waking her as they licked along her skin, the heat soaking into her every pour. But that time was still hazy to her, as though it had happened to someone else.

  She supposed it had.

  “Where are you?” she whispered, knowing the Nagi wouldn’t be able to hear her. No one in Piao—not even Qara—had known where the Nagi went when they left. It was another great mystery of life.

  “What are you searching for?” Jian wrapped his arms around her from behind.

  Hua smiled, but she didn’t shift her eyes from the hills before her as she stood along the tree line. “Nothing.”

  He pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “That’s not a nothing face.”

  She turned in his arms, and he didn’t release his hold on her. “I don’t need to search for anything. Not anymore.”

  When she’d left home the first time, there were grand adventures awaiting her, answers she needed to find. But now, as she looked into the eyes of the only answer she’d ever needed, she knew the adventures that mattered now were right here.

  He fit his smile to hers, kissing her slowly like they had all the time in the world. She supposed they did. “There has been news from Dasha.”

  She pulled back in surprise. They hadn’t heard from the emperor or Luca since returning to Zhouchang. The two men had an entire empire to convince of the changes coming to Piao. Hua and Jian were the two people they’d never needed to persuade.

  “Good news, I hope.”

  He
shrugged. “I didn’t want to open the message without you.”

  Her arms slid up around his neck to pull his face back down to her for a kiss.

  “Hua Minglan!” Fa Minglan’s sharp voice cut through their happy moment as she charged toward them.

  Hua pulled away from Jian to face her mama. She opened her mouth to speak but her mama cut her off.

  “Where have you been all morning? While your father works, you two wander off.” Her cutting glare snapped to Jian. “Do you wish to be lazy?”

  “No, ma’am.” Jian suppressed a grin—poorly.

  “Do you wish to cause dishonor to my daughter?”

  His face sobered. “Of course not.”

  She nodded. “Then if you two insist on going off on your own, you will marry.”

  Hua’s jaw fell open. Marry? It wasn’t the first time her mama told her she had to wed, and she wanted Jian to be hers forever, but that wasn’t the issue. “Mama, when we marry, it will be our decision, not based on antiquated proprieties. You worry about us being alone together now, but you do realize I lived in a camp with only men, right?”

  Her mama’s face paled.

  Hua walked past her with a laugh. “I think I can handle kissing the man I love.” She held out a hand for Jian to join her, and he jogged forward, wrapping his fingers around hers, unable to even look at her mama.

  Mama followed at a distance, her arms crossed over her chest in disapproval.

  Jian leaned in, his breath warming Hua’s ear. “You said when.”

  “What?”

  “I never thought I’d ever get married, Hua. I was the bastard son of an executed consort, so I became what everyone expected of me. Bitter. Strong, but bitter. I gave my life to the army, searching for something to give it worth.”

  “Did you find it?”

  He nodded. “The day Huan Minglan walked into my camp.” He sighed. “I don’t want to be that man anymore.”

  Hua wrapped an arm around his waist. “You can’t change where you come from, Jian. But I don’t believe for one moment you’ve ever truly been that man.”

  “Then who am I?”

  They reached the clearing where her baba and Jian had been rebuilding the house with the help of some villagers. She caught sight of Nainai in the half-planted gardens. Ru and Chichi ran through the yard, Ru’s peals of laughter bringing a sense of joy to the scene.

  Baba poked his head out of one of the windows and smiled when he saw them. Mama passed them to reach the gardens.

  Hua released Jian and gestured to the setting before them. It was a scene Luna would have loved, so Hua would love it for her. “You’re one of us.”

  Jian’s eyes glassed over as he smiled.

  “You have a family now, Jian.” It was something she knew he’d always dreamed of, the fantasies of an unwanted boy, a soldier who spent his life in army camps or on the move. “You have a home.”

  A giant bird flew overhead, its flap of wings a reminder of the dragons that brought them here, that gave them peace.

  Hua ruffled Ru’s hair as she passed him to enter the house. It wouldn’t be finished for quite some time, but it was livable. In time, they’d build a second home for Hua and Jian. Because whatever he thought of himself, they were always meant to be husband and wife.

  She stopped when she caught sight of the elderly man sitting at the simple wooden table, a teacup before him. In the next chair was a child Hua never thought she’d see again.

  Boqin looked at her, his face brightening.

  “Master Delun.” Hua bowed as the old man’s eyes found her. “I did not know you were here.”

  Jian walked in behind her. “Didn’t I say that? Master Delun intercepted the Dasha messenger on the road and offered to bring the message himself.”

  Hua glared at him, annoyed he kept such a thing from her. Master Delun was the only person other than Nainai who could possibly understand the ache in her chest, the emptiness that had once been filled by another presence, her reasons for continuing to talk to the Nagi.

  “Dearest Hua.” Master Delun stood and bowed his head. He picked up a scroll from the table and held it out to her.

  Hua untied the twine holding it together and let her eyes scan the page. A gasp escaped her as her fingers trembled.

  “What is it?” Jian took the scroll from her, and she saw the moment he finished reading because the paper tumbled from his hands, floating to the ground. No one moved to pick it up.

  “He’s dead,” Jian whispered, dropping into Master Delun’s vacated seat.

  It was over, truly over. General Batukhan Altan had been executed weeks before. The man both Hua and Jian had sought revenge on, the one drawing them into the fight was gone, and neither of them had been there. Their revenge was taken by the executioner’s hands.

  Hua pushed out a breath and put a hand on Jian’s shoulder. “He’s gone.” She closed her eyes, issuing a prayer to the heavens.

  That wasn’t all the message said. The emperor left Altan’s fate up to his sister. Qara chose this path, his execution, a path that could finally let Piao heal.

  Hua looked to Master Delun. “Your people will rejoice. Batukhan Altan is dead.”

  Sadness entered his gaze. “Death is never something to rejoice. But they are not my people. I do not wish to lead them. The Kou now have a new future in front of them, and I have never been one of them. Now that I am alone in my mind, my place is in Piao.” He put a hand on the young boy’s shoulder. “Our place.” His eyes searched the room.

  “Are you looking for something?” Hua turned to see what he could be viewing. Through the window, she saw her nainai gently tending to flowers. She hummed as she worked, the sound twisting through the air. Understanding clicked in Hua. “You have come for her.”

  The girl who’d saved him all those years ago, the one who’d disappeared.

  Hua laughed. “Go to her.”

  Master Delun gave her a shy smile before walking out the door, Boqin following behind. It seemed the Minglan land would soon be welcoming more residents, more members into the family.

  Once alone again, Hua leaned down and wrapped her arms around Jian. “Did his death bring you peace?” They both knew who she was talking about.

  Jian was silent for a moment. “There is no peace in revenge.”

  “But there is in love.”

  He looked back at her over his shoulder. “Yes. In love, there is everything.”

  Master Delun didn’t leave. Instead, he and Boqin became part of the family. The living quarters were crowded until they could build another house on the land, but none of them minded. After being separated for so long, they enjoyed the closeness.

  Days of hard work, work that had a purpose.

  Dinners around the simple table filled with laughter.

  Games played by candlelight.

  It wasn’t until a few weeks later that another visitor arrived at their door. She was young, probably around Hua’s age, and a bruise stretched down the side of her face.

  Hua ushered the stranger inside. The girl walked with a limp. Something awful had obviously happened to her.

  “What is your name?”

  “Chun Huang.” She hung her head, unable to look Hua in the eyes.

  Hua busied herself with the kettle, pouring two cups of tea. “What happened to you, Chun?”

  It took a long moment for the girl to answer. “I’m from a village a day’s ride from here. They…” She sucked in a rattling breath. “They found out what I am.”

  “And what are you?”

  The girl finally met Hua’s eyes. “I am of the dragon blood.”

  Something inside Hua deflated. “But the emperor has stopped persecution of the blooded.”

  She shook her head. “He has stopped the crown’s persecution of us, but in the villages, it is still very much a way of life.”

  “That is why you’ve come here.” Hua handed her the tea. “You came for me?”

  Chun nodded as tears came to her
eyes. “They killed my brother. I did not know where else to go. And I am not the only one. There are stories traveling through the villages of the blooded fighting for their lives.”

  How could Hua have assumed peace would be so easy to achieve? A decree from the emperor couldn’t erase centuries of fear ingrained in the people. Chun shook with sobs, and Hua listened to her talk about the attack and all the other horrible things she’d seen.

  These people were Hua’s.

  And even two Nagi saving Piao didn’t change their hearts.

  She didn’t know how long she sat with her visitor before the girl curled up on the settee and fell fast asleep.

  A new fire burned within Hua, one that was entirely her own. She walked outside, ignoring Baba’s call of greeting to her as she marched to where Master Delun helped Jian begin the foundation for a second home.

  Heat blazed along her skin, having nothing to do with a Nagi inside. She was angry. This empire was still hunting the blooded, and they had no one to protect them. Except her.

  “I want to fight for them.” As soon as the words were out, she couldn’t call them back.

  Both Master Delun and Jian stopped working to look at her.

  “The blooded are still being persecuted.” She pointed back to the house. “There is a girl asleep inside right now who lost her brother because of this. And she came here believing I could help her.”

  “Hua—” Jian started.

  Hua cut him off. “I have to do this. I’m supposed to protect them. I know it. This is my purpose. You can’t tell me otherwise.”

  Master Delun nodded, pride glowing on his face. “You are their hope, Hua Minglan.”

  Jian lifted a brow. “I was only going to tell you to take Heima with you. She could use some excitement.”

  The emptiness Hua had felt since the Nagi left filled, a purpose once again settling on her shoulders.

  This was why the Nagi chose her.

  Because Hua Minglan was meant to protect Piao in any way she could.

  Right now, that started with the blooded.

  And Jian believed in her, in her need to do this. She matched his smile, knowing this was only the beginning.