21 Is His Ghost Still Here

He opened his green eyes to see the females at the table with him and Shen who was staring at a paper confused.

"Shen," he heard himself laugh, "what did my husband write to you?"

"He wants me to…" the white-haired boy glanced at the brunette beside him, "… hold him."

"…"

"…"

"Let, let me see," he set his tea down reaching for the note. Eyes reading the note, he laughed softly as his eyes softened, "He must really love you."

"I am certain he wrote the wrong name," Shen, eyes of brown, not purple like he remembered them to be, shook his head.

"When he returns, you can hug him and see," he waved the note, "if this was for me or you."

"Aw, Ah Shen," Hien looked at the white-haired boy with hands clasped before her chest, "it had been a long time since you received a hug from him, right?"

"I don't need a hug," a frown graced the boy's lips, but the redness against his ears told them otherwise, "His acknowledgement is enough."

Ying Yue heard himself sigh and patted the boy's head with a smile. A feeling of relief and affection surrounded his heart before he saw his arm pulled back.

"Snow," he called out and the beast trekked toward him and sat placing his large head on his lap.

Running fingers through the fur and massaging that large scalp of the big cat, everyone returned to their work, but Yun stayed as he petted the animal.

"Why is your wrist bandaged?" Her voice was just as poignant, clear, and cold.

He glanced at his wrist and shook his sleeve to cover it.

"It is nothing Lady Yun," he heard himself excused, "Do not worry."

He felt a hand hold onto his arm and pulled it closer to the female. He tried pulling his arm back, but the look in those-not purple- eyes narrowed at him. Fingers removed the bandages and his eyes saw the bruises on his wrist. Purple and green bloomed on his delicate skin. His eyes looked over to see concerned in her orange eyes.

"It is him again," Yun stated and rewrapped his wrist, "What happened this time?"

"An argument," he let out a breath and pulled his arm back to rest on the table, "Something so trivial."

"It had been happening more lately," Yun stated looking at the distance, "He will not be able to control himself."

He heard himself laughing softly, sadly, "Do not worry Lady Yun," he looked down at Snow who was watching him with big blue eyes, "I will find out what is happening to him."

"How much are you willing to give," everything was turning dark and the silver haired female along with her words were fading, "to find out the truth?"

'Everything,' he answered and opened his eyes to see light in his room. Blinking to clear the sleepiness away, he could feel arms around him, and he felt his lips curl up. Warmth against his back, he placed his own hands over his lover's around his waist. His thoughts still replayed what he just dreamt and the lasting determination when waking.

'Am I… somehow, relieving the memories of his first lover?' He wondered as his brows curved upwards, 'Things are different here… magic could definitely be at play… or maybe… his ghost was still here.'

"I can hear you thinking," a deep sleep ridden voice mumbled.

Turning around, Ying Yue couldn't help smiling as he kissed those lips. Happiness, soul mated… he always thought they were lies, that it would never happen to him… but here he was.

"I need to know Wang Li," he pulled away and stared at his husband, "Your first wife… is his ghost still here?"

He saw something ran through silver eyes, but he couldn't pinpoint what emotion it was. Then those eyes hardened and thin lips pursed, before the man sat up.

"I see him everywhere," Wang Li stated getting off the bed and the blonde nodded, but he felt a sense of guilt for asking.

'Maybe talking about his first wife… is too much for him,' he told himself, 'I'll have to ask the others instead.'

"This one apologizes," the blonde stood up as well watching the man dress, "I am so pitiful. I have only brought you sadness and pain."

"Ah Yue," he looked up to soft silver eyes, "You are the light to my darkness," he said softly as those fingers ran through his hair, "You've only brought me happiness."

'That's a lie,' he smiled, 'I've seen it on your face. There is hurt and pain when you look at me. Is it because I remind you of him?'

Lips pressed against his and he breathed it in. He tried to kiss the sadness, lick the hurt, suck the pain, but when he pulled back from the king, they remained like the tattoo on his chest.

"Shall we meditate together?" The Ghost King smiled and he mimicked it.

"Are we meditating, or do you have other ideas?" He quirked a brow remembering how their meditation ended up being more intimate.

He heard the soft laughter from those lips and the blonde couldn't help placing a palm against strong heart. The rumbling vibrated through the chest against his palm and he smiled. There was something about knowing Wang Li's heart was strong and beating that brought a sense of relief to him. Why? He wasn't sure. Obviously, the man was alive, but to feel it against his palm…

"Alright," he felt a kiss planted on his forehead, "I will tend to Snow while you meditate. After, we can cross swords."

"Really?!" Ying Yue exclaimed dressing himself, "You think I'm ready?"

"Do not rush your meditation," the king smirked, "I will be waiting."

His green eyes brightened as he pulled Wang Li down for a quick kiss, before rushing out the door. The Ghost King watched his wife leave, excitement coloring his face. The smile on the raven-haired face dropped and he looked out the window for a moment. Hands fisted tight, he felt his nails digging into his palms. Savoring the pinch, the slight pain, he closed his eyes. Blood dripped down his palms, splashing on the wooden floor. Small blood splatter landed on his socks and the bottoms of his blue robe.

Uncurling his fists, he stood still as blood slipped down his fingers, adding to the blood stains on the wood. He heard feet shuffling into the room, but he already knew who they belonged to. Not bothering to say a word, he continued to stare through the window. He felt wet cloths pressed against his hands, cleaning the blood away. Then the wrap of bandages around his wound before their touches left him. He was undressed and rid of his socks, before they were replaced with clean ones.

Once he was clothed and presentable once more, he stepped out of the room to find his gifted pet as a memory plagued him.

"Ah Li!" He heard his wife called out carrying a bundle in his arms, "Look what I found!"

The blonde removed the wrap to reveal big blue eyes staring up at him. A soft meow left the animal's lips and he blinked.

'A cat… his wife brought a cat into the palace?'

"Ah Yue," he started shaking his head, but big green eyes glittered at him.

"He is my gift to you," his wife said softly as he nuzzled the kitten, "will you accept?"

"A gift? For what reason?" The raven-haired male felt the gifted leopard placed on his lap. He watched the kitten's head shake the rest of the cloth off him, before rubbing against his chest with small head.

"For choosing me," the blonde smiled and kissed his lips, before sitting beside him, "he likes you."

"Who else would I choose?" His brows furrowed as he turned to the blonde to find a large smile on plush lips.

"What do you want to call him?" He looked down at the blue-eyed kitten, enjoying the scratches behind his ears from his wife.

"What would you call him?" Wang Li asked.

"But he is your gift," the blonde reminded and he smiled.

"Then my gift to you is naming him," he saw soft emerald eyes look at him with a smile.

"Snow," the blonde grinned when he looked at him with a quirked brow, "What? I am terrible at naming! You already know that."

He laughed wrapping an arm around his wife and kissed those soft cheek, "Then Snow it is."

His silver eyes stared at the entrance, taking in how much that small kitten grew. The Leopard moved to him, rubbing around him and tucking his large head under his arm.

"I know," Wang Li let out a sigh petting the large animal before the entrance of the palace, 'You miss him too."