“Thera, what the hell—” Nikator grumbled just as Atreus grabbed his head and locked him in a headlock. They both quickly began wrestling with one another.
“You didn’t tell me you got married,” Atreus said, ruffling Nikator’s red hair, while the latter swept his ankle behind his and tried tossing him over his shoulder.
“You didn’t ask.”
“Of course I didn’t?—”
Thera pulled Biyu into a tight embrace. “If you need anything at all, we’re only a letter away. We can always find a warping spell to get to you if you’re in trouble.”
“Thank you, Thera.”
“I only wish we could have spent time to know one another.” The other woman’s eyes filled with tears once more. “Oh, gosh. I wish we could?—”
“We’ll be back,” Biyu said, squeezing her shoulders reassuringly. “I promise.”
She bobbed her head while Vita came to embrace Biyu next. Despite her cold disposition, and her previous dislike for Biyu, the icy woman had warmed up slightly around her. She had also promised to help smuggle her out when they had thought that was their only option. Biyu couldn’t fault Vita for being loyal to Muyang and wishing the best for Nikator.
“Take good care of him,” Vita said with a rare smile.
“I will.”
Nikator continued to play-wrestle with all of his brothers. Remus literally plucked him off his feet with ease, despite being a head shorter, while the other two tackled them both to the ground. Biyu went on to where Daiyu, Muyang, Li-ling and Bohai stood.
She lowered her head in respect. “Thank you for everything.”
“Don’t thank me,” Muyang said with a frown. The usual darkness and cruelty that swirled in the depths of his void-like eyes were missing, faded to something more relaxed. Here, without the prying eyes of his vicious court, he appeared content. “I caged you for a long time, Biyu, and I apologize for that. So please, don’t thank me for anything.”
“You could have imprisoned me in the dungeons, or a worse place, really. Or you could have had me executed. Thank you for doing what you could to make sure I was safe.”
His frown deepened, like he truly didn’t like that either, but he waved a hand. “I did nothing to garner your thanks, Biyu. You don’t have to thank me for the bare minimum.”
Daiyu lightly elbowed his chest before he could continue speaking. “Just accept the thanks and move on, Muyang.”
He scowled at her, but it wasn’t serious at all. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Biyu had never seen such a look of amusement pass over his face. His eyes blazed with such life that it was hard to look at him—she was so used to him being shrouded in shadows, wickedness, and power that seeing this side of him was jarring.
Daiyu took ahold of Biyu’s hands in her own, a smile gracing her lips. “I’m so happy you found love, Biyu. Please write to us as frequently as you can, and when your exile is up, please feel free to live in the capital. And don’t hesitate to let us know if you need anything.”
“Thank you.” Her heart warmed at how many people were genuinely happy for them. It was strange and foreign, having a family that cared—most of the attention was on Nikator, but they were happy for her too. She knew that, with time, she would easily become one of them.
She went down the line thanking everyone else and bidding them goodbye; Bohai was polite and wished her the best, Li-ling excitedly gave her congratulations, and the others did the same. Biyu eventually stood beside Yat-sen, Muyang, and Daiyu. She watched as Nikator continued to speak to his siblings.
A pang shot through her chest; the only person who was missing here was Liqin. She had been married off to who-knew-where. Speaking of which …
“Your Majesty?” she asked
Muyang glanced over at her and Yat-sen. “Yes?”
“Why did you want Liqin and I to get married? And what about … my betrothed, Wu Jian?” She didn’t like thinking of that sour man, but after everything had happened, she wondered what would happen to him. He had been gifted Biyu’s hand in marriage—which obviously went nowhere—so would he retaliate in his own way?
“Don’t worry about him.” Muyang shrugged like it didn’t matter. “I’ll see that he finds a new bride. As for Liqin and you …” His expression softened. “I truly did wish for you both to have a life. I thought if you each married someone within my court, you could be something other than political prisoners.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, but …” Biyu frowned. “I truly do not think …” She hesitated; she didn’t want to tell the emperor that she didn’t think Wu Jian was a good ally to have, but she didn’t want to overstep. Although Muyang was being kind to her, she wasn’t a part of his council. “I would hate for another woman to have to—to deal with Wu Jian.”
Muyang canted his heat, suddenly interested. “What makes you say that?”
“He … is a cruel man.”
He nodded slowly. “I see. I will have to investigate the matter. Thank you for bringing it up to me.”
