7 A Warm Cage

The stars are so beautiful on a moonless night. Why did I not notice this before? Is it because I am dying that I start to yearn and appreciate more? I have lived most of my life for my family. Am I regretting that I did not try taking a different path? Funny, even my view of vision is not changing. My view of vision is not changing! The young girl gasped and held her neck. With a shocked look on her face, she stared at the crown prince.

Amused by Zhen Mei's reaction the crown prince grinned. "My head is still on my body?", the girl asked in surprise. "Well, it seems so. Hong Zhen Mei of the Kou country is dead and now reborn as MY Zhen Mei. Since the night is cold, won't you warm up my bed for me, Zhen Mei?", the crown prince coyly asked. Qi Lei let out a sigh of relief and burst into laughter. "Crown Prince! You WOLF! I was shocked by your magnanimous action. I almost thought you were under a spell. I am thankful that you did not kill her but are you sure about placing her on your bed?". "Her life is mine now. I can do whatever I want with her. Keep your word Zhen Mei and I'll keep mine. Go and lie on my bed inside my tent. I heard that the meteor seal looks very pretty. I'd like to see it for myself". The young girl froze in terror and was escorted by Qi Lei to the crown prince's tent. "Captain! Be more alert tonight. Even though i'm seventy percent sure that her side will not try to do anything funny as of the moment but still there is a thirty percent possibility left". "My Lord! Please leave the security of the camp to us and have a warm night!". The guards bid their crown prince good night. " I'm counting on you then. Good night!", The young prince made his way into his tent.

Inside the tent, Qi Lei helped the lady wipe her face and gave her a set of robes. Seeing the worried face of the girl, he turned around and tried to console her. "We don't have woman's clothing so the crown prince's robe is all that I can offer to you. Please do not cry. The crown prince is not truly a bad person. I don't know what's on his mind but if ever "it" will happen I am pretty sure he will be gentle. Oh, are you done changing?". "Yes, my lord and thank you for your kindness" the young girl with a blank expression replied. The crown prince suddenly entered the tent and Qi Lei patted the young girl's head. "I must take my leave now. Whatever happens, try to be thankful that you're still alive". "Oh! Acting like a big brother?", the crown prince asked his friend. "I have a little sister too, you know! I think it will be her first time so please be gentle". Qi Lei tapped the crown prince's shoulders and left.

Zhen Mei sat at the foot of the bed and tried to avoid the gaze of the young prince. "MeiMei, do you know how to warm a man's bed?". "If it is warmth that you need, I can summon fire", the young girl coldly replied. "You know that's not what I mean, right?". The crown prince softly lifted her chin to make her stare into his eyes and playfully said "The first step is eye contact. A gaze can lead you to desire and passion". The crown prince suddenly pinned Zhen Mei down which made her desperately crawl to the head of the bed. The young girl struggled against the crown prince who tried to strip her robe off.

"You are not keeping your word Zhen Mei" the crown prince said in a flirtatious manner. The almost half bare young girl obediently stopped and sobbed which made the crown prince burst into laughter. "Sorry for scaring you. See! You shouldn't easily offer your life to a man! What if it was a different man? Surely! You would have been eaten by now!". Tears continued to flow from the young girl's eyes. "Yes. I know. I'm sorry. For tonight I'll just leave a mark". The young prince bit Zhen Mei's neck which made her pale white skin turn into red and marked. "This mark will serve as your protection and at the same time I cannot afford to lose face to my soldiers". The young girl continued to tremble and the young prince suddenly kissed her forehead and fixed her robe. " You're mine now. Close your eyes and sleep".

It should have been a long cold night but surprisingly, the young girl fell into a deep slumber caged in the arms of a stranger who killed and saved her at the same time.