The Dragon and the Pearl. Jeannie Lin

it?’ She played on. The second song flowed over his mind like cool water, but did nothing to ease the ache in his body.

      ‘You play well.’

      ‘Such ardent praise,’ she reprimanded lightly. Her fingers continued to walk along the strings gently.

      ‘Don’t you tire of compliments? Look at Jun over there. He won’t blink for fear of losing the sight of you.’

      She laughed and the sound puffed up his chest. At the other end of the courtyard, Jun slinked further behind the shrubbery, realising he had been caught. Li Tao couldn’t fault the boy. Greater men had found themselves helpless at this woman’s feet. The music lulled him into the first sense of peace he had allowed himself in long time. He wanted to sink into the dream and accept where it took him.

      ‘Where do you go every day?’ she asked in a tone of disinterest.

      ‘Nowhere you would find entertaining.’

      This must be how she was able to pry secrets from the most powerful men in the empire. He had no skill for filling silence with conversation, but he found himself wanting to do so. To reciprocate the moment she had created.

      ‘I received another imperial summons to appear before Emperor Shen in Changan,’ he stated. Nothing secret about that, it being an imperial proclamation.

      The gentle music faltered before continuing. The notes took on a hint of shrillness beneath the soft warmth.

      ‘Then you must go and make peace with Emperor Shen.’ Suyin stared down at the instrument.

      Was that concern he detected?

      ‘Once they have me in Changan, it’ll be the death of me.’

      ‘If you don’t go, they’ll hang you as a traitor.’

      ‘They behead traitors, Ling Guifei,’ he replied mildly.

      She flattened the strings with her hand to stop the sound. ‘Why do you insist on calling me that?’

      ‘To remind myself that you are not mine.’

      Silence hung between them.

      ‘But you don’t want me,’ she said, her tone cutting. ‘Other than for one night.’

      ‘One night can last a very long time.’

      The blush in her cheeks caught him off guard. He had assumed such flirtation was second nature to a seasoned courtesan.

      ‘I don’t wish to see you hanged … or beheaded.’

      ‘Not without a fight,’ he promised.

      ‘War and death. That’s all men like you know.’ She pushed the instrument aside and sank back as if it no longer held any joy for her.

      ‘This summons is an ambush. The imperial court has all the power in Changan. I’ll face whoever comes for me here, on my own terms.’

      Suyin fell silent. She tapped her fingertips thoughtfully against the tabletop as she struggled with her next words.

      ‘Please reconsider,’ she said finally.

      ‘There’s nothing to consider. Gao has the court in his palm,’ he said.

      She made an impatient sound. ‘I told Auntie you wouldn’t listen to anyone.’

      That left them at a standstill, staring at each other across the field of battle. But she wasn’t quite the enemy. He traced the shape of her mouth and the curve of her throat. Suyin’s breathing quickened in response. No one else dared to suggest that he back down. Certainly no one had counselled him regarding his own welfare.

      She was beautiful.

      She was complicated.

      There wasn’t a thread of trust between them, yet he still wanted her. Discipline and caution meant nothing when she was near.

      ‘Tell me one thing,’ she said. ‘What does the dagger mean?’

      ‘It’s a reminder.’

      ‘Of what?’

      ‘Shibao.’

      ‘The siege against Tibet.’

      Of course she knew the history. She had been Emperor Li Ming’s consort for fifteen years. She’d shared the sovereign’s bed. Resentment flowed like poison through Li Tao’s veins. Jealous of a dead man. There wasn’t a more worthless emotion.

      ‘One of the worst defeats of the empire,’ he said.

      ‘But you were commended for your bravery. Everyone knew your name after that battle.’

      ‘It was undeserved.’ He wasn’t being humble. If she meant to appeal to his sense of honour and duty, it didn’t exist. ‘In the end, all debts must be paid. The message of the dagger is that no one can be careful for ever.’

      If only she knew the truth behind the legends. He was no hero. He was tempted to tell her everything, but with the old empire falling to ruin around them, it made no difference any longer.