Temptation of the Butterfly, page 4
“Please—” the younger Ye Yaun began, only to be cut off by his older brother.
“Allow me,” said Ye Shing, standing gracefully. “It would be my honor, Princess.”
Yaun frowned and turned his face toward his plate to continue brooding. Lord Ye grinned at the other suitors in victory as Shing walked around the table to help Fen up. Since her mother had insisted on the new bright pink gown with large embroidered butterflies, which cinched tightly around her waist, it was hard for Fen to get up on her own.
Nodding in gratitude, she allowed Shing to lead her from the hall. Out of all the men who could have taken her up on the offer, Shing was one of the better choices for company. In a distant way, he reminded her of her brothers—proud, handsome, strong—but there was also a smarminess to him that her brothers didn’t have. She was too tired to read into him too much. It was possible that she’d only be too hard on him because of who he was and why he was in her home.
They passed near Aaron. The man stopped what he was doing to look at her, and the potent force of the desire she carried for him stirred within her blood. She wished he was the one taking her to the gardens. The palace servant next to him instantly bowed. Aaron was slower to follow. His eyes met hers boldly, holding them for a brief, sizzling second before turning toward the floor.
“Princess, are you ready?” Shing prompted. She turned to him, forcing a smile as she motioned for him to continue out of the hall.
Chapter Five
“I would like to finish this today if you please.”
Aaron nodded and turned back to the wall, realizing he’d stayed with his head bowed much longer than was necessary. Princess Fen had gone from the hall, out somewhere with her gentleman suitor. He did his best to control his emotions, but it was hard. He was jealous of that man, jealous that he could walk with her, talk to her, would get the honor of knowing her in a way Aaron never could.
“I have all I need,” Aaron said in distraction, not really paying attention to the short-tempered servant.
“But…” The servant looked at him and then the wall. “You didn’t measure. You didn’t write anything down. How can you say you have all you need? I will not be held responsible if you do not do your job.”
Aaron wanted to tell the man to tie his mouth shut. A palace servant would hardly be held responsible for any mistake Aaron made. He’d been measuring tapestries for years. He knew what he was doing, and he hardly needed to use a measuring string for such an easy project.
“I said I’ve got all that I need,” Aaron answered.
The servant huffed and led the way from the dining hall. Once outside, the man started to mumble. Aaron couldn’t make out what he was saying but didn’t really want to either.
As they walked out onto the pathways, he looked around for Fen. The day was warm and sweet, and the flowers bloomed in the brightness of the sun, but the winged qizajian were all gone. Feeling a pull, he turned off the path, quietly moving down a different route than the palace servant. He knew the man wouldn’t look back to see if he followed.
Aaron slowed his step, moving lightly over the stones as he made his way toward the royal gardens. He wasn’t sure how, but he knew she’d be there. All the servants spoke of how Princess Fen was to be married, how suitors had come to the palace for her hand. Was this noble her choice? And why did Aaron care?
Hearing feminine laughter, Aaron stepped off the path and pressed close to the building where the emperor and empress slept. His hiding spot was shaded by the awning and hidden by a large leafy bush. Around the corner were the imperial gardens.
“You honor me with your compliments, Shing.” The princess’ voice drifted meekly on the breeze, stopping Aaron. His body stirred at the sound, arousing him with need. Her tone wasn’t like that when she’d spoken to him. With him, there had been a light playfulness, if not subtle informality. He was a fool to let his body respond to her, but he could do little to stop it. He’d have a better chance in preventing his lungs from taking air.
“It is your beauty, Princess, that honors us all,” her companion answered.
Aaron frowned, resisting the urge to roll his eyes heavenward. Such flowery words. Is that what she wanted? Is that who the princess was? Is that the type of man she wanted?
When Aaron fantasized about her, stroking his shaft to the image in his head, he wondered with a hint of fear what she would feel like compared to other women. Logically, he knew it’d be the same, but his mind imagined her sex so much softer, wetter, sweeter, tighter. Aaron suppressed a groan, shifting uncomfortably. His days at the palace were not the first time he’d thought of the princess in such a way but being so close to her made him feel almost criminal.
He kind of liked the sense of forbidden.
“You face is like the flower that draws the eye of mere mortals…” Shing continued, waxing poetic verse as he lavished compliment after compliment onto her. Fen giggled. Aaron crouched lower along the side of the building, his ears straining to hear every word.
The imperial gardens were a wondrous creation of what beauty had to offer. Large blue lookout trees grew in the corners, so strong, guards could step on their branches and follow the stair-step pattern carved around the trunk until they reached the top. From there, they could just see over the palace walls. The gardens were truly the most serene place in the palace, with open colonnades, flowering trees and shrubs, large boulders artfully placed and decorative red and gold fencing. There was even a small rock waterfall hidden in a corner. Aaron wouldn’t have known it was there, except he stumbled upon it by accident during his morning exercise.
Fen and her suitor were partially hidden from view, but he found her instantly in the sea of garden colors. She was clad in the beautiful pink silk that he’d brought with him to the palace, and she looked as good in the pattern as he’d imagined she would when he had designed it for her. Sunlight shone over her head, outlining her slender form. Her hair gleamed just like finished silk and he bet it’d be just as soft to touch.
The noble next to her was every inch a gentleman in his dark blue silk tunic shirt and black pants. His hands threaded behind his rigid back. Ye Shing was a talker, as evident by the smooth richness of his words and the way he carried himself as if orating to a large hall. Aaron had dealt with his family before at Lady Hsin’s, just as he’d dealt with many of the nobles who had sat at Fen’s table—not that any of them seemed to remember him. It wasn’t surprising. Nobles normally did not remember servants who were not their own.
“The blossoms fade with your nearness,” Shing said.
Aaron looked down at his calloused hands. What did he know of speaking? Of pretty words? Unless it was to direct the factory workers at Lady Hsin’s silk plantation, he hardly talked, and those words were hardly pretty.
“You speak very well.” Fen smiled. She had such a sweet, pleasant smile. Aaron pulled back, hiding from view as Fen’s words confirmed his suspicions about her. She’d like a man like Shing. “Your father tells me you are ready to take over his lands so that he may be at leisure.”
Shing laughed. Aaron’s frown deepened.
“My father says that, in hopes that you will be persuaded to think me too busy to be a husband and consider him instead, as he is titled, rich, and at leisure,” Shing answered. “But if I were to marry, I would make time for a wife and she would not be expected to act like an old maid of four hundred.”
“Hmm,” Fen said, not answering him either way.
Aaron knew he should go before he was caught eavesdropping on the couple. Already he risked a great deal in just being where he was. A guard could be watching him from some hidden alcove. How would he explain spying on the princess?
Moving stealthily back to the path, he turned just in time to see Shing coming from the garden. His gut tightened, fearful that he’d been caught. He waited, his heart pounding, his whole-body stiff. The noble was alone and barely gave him a passing glance. Aaron relaxed and bowed in respect as Shing went by. The man didn’t acknowledge him.
Fen would be alone in the garden. Aaron began walking toward her, pushing his shoulders back and lifting his jaw. He’d just walk and hope she noticed him. This wouldn’t be the first time he’d tried such a technique. He’d put himself in her path often, hoping in vain that she would give him a look, a smile, a single word. So far, she hadn’t seemed to notice, but that didn’t stop him from trying.
“Ni, wait!”
Aaron stopped, turning to see Shing coming back down the path. He tensed. Had he done something to give himself away? Without speaking, he bowed his head in respect.
Shing came close, his tone low as he said, “The princess would like some shui guo cha. Would you please fetch it for her and bring it to the garden for us?”
The words were polite, but there was no doubt he was being ordered to do it. Aaron thought about telling the man he didn’t work at the palace, but he doubted Shing would care. He’d only say that all men were subject to the wish of the princess, and he’d be right.
“Xiexie ni,” Shing said, patting him on the arm as he hurried back toward the garden. “I appreciate it.”
“No problem,” Aaron mumbled as he headed back toward the dining hall to fetch the princess’ tea.
Chapter Six
Fen looked at Zhang An as Shing walked away. “What are you doing, following us? I can’t concentrate with you talking over him, let alone keep a straight face.”
“Your eyes are the stars? Your lips are pink petals?” An snorted. “I’ve heard better prose from a ch’ang shih.”
“Nice, Grandmother,” Fen drawled sarcastically. “I’m sure Shing would appreciate you comparing him to a death-breathing corpse. Really, you should take it easier on the suitors. They’re not that bad.”
“What do you care if I tease Ye Shing? He’s not for you,” An assured her. “Not one of them is. They’re unworthy to even consider marrying you.”
“Ah, thanks Grandmother,” Fen said, her tone not lessening in the sarcasm. “How can you be so sure?” Fen asked, teasing. “Shing is very wealthy.”
“You are wealthier,” An said, floating idly above Fen. Her feet wiggled in the air for no apparent reason.
“And he is handsome.” Fen moved to a bench and sat. She reached to cup two fingers around a flower, petting its silky white texture with her thumb. The blossom was pretty. She loved the gardens. They were so peaceful.
“Not so handsome as others.” An’s body fluttered as a breeze stirred. She glided to the bench and sat.
“Refined.” Fen studied the flower, not really seeing it.
“Overrated,” An whispered, the breeze caused by the word stirring the hair near her ear. Fen shivered.
“Charming.” She let go and turned to the spirit. An’s face was close, her nose almost touching Fen’s.
“Practiced.” An lifted her hand to Fen’s cheek, moving gracefully to press her face to her granddaughter’s. Fen couldn’t feel the touch, save for a faint coolness to her skin. “Learned.”
Fen sighed. She was inclined to agree with her great-grandmother, but she wouldn’t admit it and give the woman the satisfaction of hearing it.
An pulled back, her eyes almost sad. Fen knew her grandmother missed the sensation of touch. She could feel but not as the living did—not unless she were to possess someone who was alive.
“There is something to be said for men who are not so noble.” An wiggled her brows mischievously.
“Hao.” Fen laughed, tossing up her hands. “Okay, okay. I know you don’t want me to marry anyone my mother picks out for me.”
An grinned.
“Now, which ancestor did you say was watching us?”
“Ancestor?” An asked. “I didn’t say an ancestor.”
“Shi, you did.” Fen nodded. “You said, ‘He’s watching you’.”
“And he was.” An waved her hand in circles, watching the trail of her ghostly gown.
“Who?” Fen grew mildly alarmed.
“The sexy man from the dining hall.” An motioned to the side of the building. “The one who looks like he could show a woman a good—”
“Piers Aaron?” Fen’s heart picked up a few beats.
“You know him?” An’s transparent eyes glimmered with light for a moment.
“He saved my life,” Fen said, breathless. “I mean, I believe he did.” She quickly explained the fire to the woman, having intended to tell her anyway. After speaking with her brothers, she began to doubt it was anything more than a dream and hardly deemed it an urgent conversation. “Do you think he’ll come over?”
An quirked a brow. “You’re glowing.”
Fen looked at her hands. “I’m…not.”
“You are,” An declared, pointing at her. “You’re attracted to him. I was only teasing, but you are attracted to him. I can see why. He’s—”
“I’m not,” Fen continued to protest weakly. “How can I be? I’m drowning in suitors. I don’t need any more.”
“Swim to shore,” An said wryly.
“Mother would not approve.” As soon as she said it, Fen wished she could take the words back. An was the last person she wanted to say anything adverse to about her mother.
“Wode tian, what’s he doing back?” An demanded.
Fen turned to see Shing.
“He didn’t even bring your tea,” An continued. Fen tried to ignore her as she forced a pleasant expression on her face. “Ask him to go back. Only this time, have him bring po—”
“I’m not drinking liquor this early in the day,” Fen hissed out of the corner of her mouth.
“It’s for me,” An said. “If I have to listen to more of his poetry, I’ll need to be drunk.”
Fen tilted her head to the side in question as she looked at Shing. “Were they out of tea?”
“A servant will bring it,” Shing explained.
Pity, she thought, hoping he wouldn’t recite another poem to her. Her smile widening, she said, “Perfect, xiexie. Thank you.”
* * *
Aaron carried the tray before him, his stomach in knots at having to serve the princess in such a capacity. Of course, it was his luck that none of the servants was available to bring Princess Fen tea. They were still serving the royal table in the dining hall, so he was obliged to lend a hand. There was nothing wrong with laboring, he knew that, but still he was embarrassed. He didn’t want her looking at him like a servant, even if that is all he could ever be to her.
Keeping his eyes on the tray, he watched to make sure he didn’t drop the delicate teapot. Normally, he was agile, but nerves caused him to be less so.
Then he saw her standing in the garden, surrounded by pink, and he stopped thinking. He was drawn to her, his feet walking toward her with a mind of their own. Her eyes met his and he couldn’t speak when his mouth opened.
“Piers Aaron,” Princess Fen said, her pretty expression changing some when she saw him. She looked surprised. Shing turned around to look at him, a smile falling as his eyes hardened slightly. It was a subtle gesture, but one Aaron caught.
“Princess,” Aaron was compelled to answer her, bowing over the tray.
“Ah, xiexie ni,” Shing thanked him as he took the tray.
Aaron bowed his head and moved to take a step back so he could leave them.
“Wait,” the princess said. Aaron stopped moving. This was the second time she’d commanded him in such a way. “When you’re finished with the palace silks, I’d like to speak to you about an order. Please find me when it is convenient for you.”
“Very good, Princess,” Aaron said, taking a step back. He peeked up through his lashes to see her staring at him. His heart skipped a beat.
Shing stepped to the side, blocking her from view. Aaron stood, knowing that he’d been dismissed. He took a step back, watching the couple. Taking another, he backed away slowly, until he could no longer see them.
Chapter Seven
It was evening before Aaron was able to pull away from his duties at the palace to meet Princess Fen. He thought about her all day, ever since he’d left the gardens. Though he went to work for her, it was still a reason to be in her presence and he gladly took it. His hands shook with the idea of taking her measurements. He never used the string measuring device, but with her he would—just to have reason to be near her. They did have her dress sizes on file, but it wouldn’t hurt to be thorough.
The others that he’d brought with him from Lady Hsin’s to help him work were busy sewing and designing for the empress. It was only reasonable that he went to Princess Fen alone, since they were occupied. It only took one of them to write down an order. Besides, he reasoned, Fen had asked for him to come. To send any other would be to disobey.
He hefted the book of silk samples under his arm, adjusting the great weight of it. Walking faster, his heart thumped a little harder than usual. So as not to embarrass himself, he’d also found pleasure at his own hand in the decontaminator unit in his guest room. Self-release was bittersweet in comparison to the real thing.
He neared her private quarters. Feeling very much like a thief sneaking into the treasure house, he glanced around. A guard looked at him from across the long path, taking him in curiously before turning away. Aaron did his best to appear nonchalant as he entered the building which would take him to Fen’s private chamber.
A combination of anticipation, nervousness and excitement filled him. His hand shook as he lifted it before her door to knock. Hesitating, he took a deep breath, forcing all emotion from his face. Part of him screamed to turn back, that he’d insult her, embarrass himself, or worse, do something he’d regret. Even as he knew he should leave and send someone else in his stead, his hand fell forward against the door, hitting the wood softly.
“Enter,” the princess’ voice called from inside.
Aaron opened the door, licking his lips as he tried to force his gaze down to the floor. It was hard not to peek at her when in her presence. He entered her bedchamber from the hall. The guest rooms were set up the same way—bedrooms by the door, with adjoining chambers for leisure and bathing. Though, the guest rooms were much smaller than those of the royal family.
