Luxury of Vengeance by Isabella Carter Page A

private garden while he trained. Then the
    general had made it clear that his interest was purely personal and Chien had seen the value in such a
    liaison.
    Except of late he had to wonder who had control of that situation. He thought with twin feelings
    of annoyance and fondness of the general's goodbye a fortnight ago. The press of bodies had been nice,
    the pleasure almost overwhelming, but it was the aftermath that refused to leave Chien's mind. He had
    thrown a careless arm over Chien as if it were the most natural thing in the world and held him. After
    that, Chien had been hard pressed to convince himself that he still held control of this relationship, that he was only using the general and had not grown attached.
    Bao had leaned over until his lips brushed Chien's ears and whispered, "Perhaps if you behave
    yourself, I'll bring you a present home."
    Chien had been too exhausted to give much more than a huff of laughter, "Something shiny and
    colorful I hope." He'd nearly asked for something more. It was difficult to remember that he was
    supposed to play the role of the dolt prince, especially around a man who refused to treat him as such.
    Not for the first time he had found himself wondering what it might have been like to have a true
    relationship with Bao. But there was no point in wondering of things that would never be. Bao was not
    loyal to him. He had to keep reminding himself of that.
    Rather than answer him, Bao's hand caressed a finger up his spine which made Chien squirm
    and pull away. His body tried valiantly to react as it always did when Bao touched him, "Please Chien, stay out of trouble."
    "When am I ever in trouble?" He couldn't even get his damned body under control. He squirmed
    away when Bao began tracing his spine once more and rolled over to glare at him.
    Bao did not seem affected by his annoyance however. His expression remained serious as he
    stared Chien directly in the eyes. "This is a dangerous game you're playing. Politics are not for the weak."
    Bao knew nothing, just enough to make a few small assumptions, but it still made him pull back further
    and wrap the blanket around himself as a shield.
    3 | Luxury of Vengeance

    "No, it is not." Chien agreed. Politics were not for the weak, which was why he was the only
    person who could wade through this and put a stop to his aunt.
    Bao stared at him for a long moment, and Chien sensed that it was a test of some sort. He put
    the most innocent of expressions onto his face. Bao must have sensed he would not get anything further
    and sighed in annoyance as he pulled himself to his feet and began to dress. Chien allowed himself to
    enjoy the sight, the roll of tanned skin over tight muscles. It was not until Bao looked back at him that Chien realized that he had a goofy smile on his face.
    While Bao secured his weapon, Chien asked lazily, "So where are you headed at any rate?"
    Bao frowned at him but answered, "The Xing province."
    The Xing province was in the eastern part of the kingdom and had long been a part of the
    empire. There was no risk of rebellion there. To his knowledge the governor of that province was
    focused on keeping his people as peaceful as possible in hopes that the Empress's gaze would not turn
    upon them. His mother had come from the Xing province. She'd once told Chien that moving to the
    palace had been a different experience entirely.
    "Why the Xing province?"
    "The Empress is searching for—Why do you want to know?" Bao stopped himself.
    "Merely curious. You'll be gone for so long." Bao did not look fooled. Chien couldn't help but
    wonder why the Empress would send Bao to Xing? To search for something? Her favorite general? Then
    it occurred to him: Mai was searching for the sword of heaven.
    It was written in their history that long ago, when Gods walked the earth, so too had the
    Dragon. His name had been lost to time, but he had grown fond of humans and their ingenuity. Before
    he ascended to heaven, he granted one