Chapter 182: A seat at the table

By the time Ru Yi and Yexue descended the worn stone staircase, night had completely settled over Ashen Fortress.

A cold wind slipped through the cracks in the old castle walls, carrying the scent of smoke and damp earth from the ruined streets outside. It was the faint glow of lanterns that guided the pair toward the dining hall.

Ru Yi walked beside Yexue with her hands tucked inside the sleeves of her robe, still lingering from the warmth of Yexue’s hot body against her skin. Her hair had been dried as best as Yexue could manage, although a few wet strands still rested against her neck.

They stepped through the doorway and immediately stopped.

The room had changed considerably since they had first entered it. Dust once coated the floor had been swept away, even the broken furniture was now pushed against the walls.

An old round wooden table sat in the center, its surface scrubbed clean enough to reveal the faded grain beneath years of dust.

Officer Liang had outdone himself in such a short period of time.

A pot of steaming millet porridge sat in the center of the table beside dried meat that had been simmered until it softened. Pickled vegetables, steamed roots and several pieces of flatbread.

The smell of the warm food made something inside Ru Yi ache unexpectedly.

"Finally," Lieyin muttered when the pair walked in. "I was beginning to think I’d really have to bring up dinner for you."

Yexue smiled. "There was just a little delay."

Ru Yi’s cheeks warmed.

Unfortunately, Han Shuying looked up the moment she stepped closer to the table. Her eyes immediately landed on Ru Yi’s neck.

It lingered on the faint marks scattered beneath Ru Yi’s collar, marks that Ru Yi had completely forgotten were visible.

For a brief moment Han Shuying’s expression became frighteningly still as she made the connection between what she was seeing and Lieyin’s remark.

A dark storm flashed through her eyes. It was possessiveness and jealousy all wrapped in one ruined cloth.

Ru Yi instinctively raised her hand and tugged her collar higher. But it was too late, Han Shuying had already seen them.

She shifted slightly to make room for Ru Yi beside her, her expression returning to its usual composed state as though nothing had happened.

Ru Yi cautiously sat down. Yexue immediately took the seat on her other side. The arrangement left Ru Yi trapped between the two women.

She gulped, trying not to notice Qingyue’s trained eyes on her from across the table.

Han Shuying leaned closer without looking at her. "What took you so long?" then in a voice that bordered on sounding threatening she continued, "what was the delay Lieyin talked about?"

Ru Yi coughed. "It was nothing." Then she changed the topic. "I saw you talking to Qingyue in the courtyard. What was that about?"

The lines of Han Shuying’s jaw flexed. "Answer a question when I ask."

"I was washing up," Ru Yi rushed to say.

"I’m not stupid." Han Shuying’s reply came out harsh, it had Ru Yi gripping her spoon tightly. "I remember clearly telling you not to let anyone touch you."

Ru Yi’s heart jumped into her stomach.

She could feel the murderous intent radiating from the woman beside her. And the fact Han Shuying had a smile on her face to hide her anger from others made it worse.

"I didn’t—"

Han Shuying finally looked at Ru Yi and she immediately stopped speaking. There was something so dark in her gaze that made the rest of her sentence disappear.

The smile on Han Shuying’s face was a beautiful one no doubt, but it was also terrifying. Ru Yi quickly lowered her eyes.

Oblivious to the situation, Yexue reached for the serving bowl. "Ru Yi, you should eat." She placed a generous portion of millet into Ru Yi’s bowl before adding some vegetables and a piece of softened meat.

"I can serve myself ," Ru Yi muttered as she stared at the bowl.

Yexue gave her an affectionate look that would’ve had her melting if not for the other woman beside her.

"You need to eat enough, you’ll need your strength for later."

Ru Yi choked on air as she stared at Yexue in visible horror. "What?"

Yexue’s lips curved upward. "You know exactly what I mean." Her eyes gleamed with amusement.

Across from them, Lieyin coughed suspiciously into her hand, clearly trying not to laugh. Qingyue looked between the three women and seemed to understand something had happened in her absence, although she wisely chose not to ask.

Han Shuying however had gone completely still.

Ru Yi stiffened when she felt Han Shuying’s hand move beneath the table. A moment later, her palm rested against Ru Yi’s thigh.

She turned toward her but Han Shuying continued eating as though she hadn’t done anything. Ru Yi leaned closer so no one else would hear her.

"Han Shuying..." she whispered.

"Hmmm?" The woman didn’t bother to look at her.

"What are you doing?" her voice was turning, panicked, "remove your hand."

Han Shuying’s fingers tightened against the soft flesh. "Perhapts it’s time to teach you a lesson since you’ve turned out to be a very disobedient naughty girl." Her breath brushed against Ru Yi’s ear, sending an unexpected shiver through her.

Ru Yi caught her wrist beneath the table. "You’re insane."

"Want to find out just how insane I can be?" There was the faintest hint of satisfaction on Han Shuying’s face. "Someone has to make sure you’re always kept in line."

Ru Yi wanted to argue but Yexue suddenly placed another piece of meat into her bowl. "Eat."

Ru Yi looked at her helplessly, feeling Han Shuying’s hand move deeper between her thighs. She forced herself to pick her spoon back up and start eating.

Han Shuying took it as a challenge, tracing slow circles on the warm skin before moving to dangerous territory. She pushed Ru Yi’s robe aside and pressed her knuckles to the warm folds begging for her touch.