The Dragon and the Pearl by Jeannie Lin

Author:Jeannie Lin
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-09-01T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The faint glow of daybreak seeped through the windows as Suyin rolled on to her side beneath the quilt. Li Tao’s back was turned to her. The edge of the blanket had fallen, baring the coiled dragon on his shoulder blade. Last night, she had awoken to the familiar shift of his weight beside her. He’d managed only to undress before collapsing on to the bed, asleep before he laid his head upon the pillow.

The last days had been torture. Li Tao had disappeared for a week and, hour after hour, she’d been left to imagine the worst. He would be carried home with a dagger in his heart or he would never be found. She would never see him again.

The month was nearly spent and she hadn’t been able to convince Li Tao to negotiate. He had no reason to listen to her counsel, the advice of a woman he was using for his pleasure. Was that all she was? A last glimpse of beauty and warmth?

That was why he had asked only for a month. He was prepared to lay down everything in the impending confrontation. Li Tao was heading to his death and all she could do was watch the moon grow rounder with each passing night.

She curled close, careful not to wake him. The dragon rippled with the rise and fall of his breathing. Many paintings showed the pearl in the dragon’s grasp, but here the dragon chased the orb, stretching out curved talons to capture its power. The markings and their hidden meaning frightened her.

Li Tao killed, not only in war or to defeat his enemies, but simply because he had been ordered, or paid. He had done so without regret, but hadn’t she done worse?

With a low murmur, he shifted on to his back and his hand came to rest against her pillow. She traced the vertical line of his palm with her fingertip, unable to hold back any longer. Once he rose, it could be days before he returned. Some mornings she would awaken to find him already gone. The emptiness would linger within her for the entire day. This call of yin to yang went beyond any reason. But he was here now, restful and still enough for her to touch.

‘What are you doing?’ His eyes remained closed and his voice sounded far away, drugged with sleep.

‘Watching you.’ She stroked over the pad of his thumb. ‘Do you know I can read palms?’

‘Can you?’ His breathing deepened as if he was drifting once again. He must have been particularly drained that morning to remain in bed for so long. ‘What does mine show?’

‘A strong life line and your head line curves downward. Your head will always rule your heart.’

‘Hmm.’

His hand twitched reflexively as she drew an aimless pattern over it. His fingers were broad and long, the skin rough. He opened his eyes to gaze at her through heavy lids, the glint of his pupils tiger-like. They lay face to face. So close.

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