A sly smirk appeared on Tianhuo's face as he gently covered a hand over Feiyun's mouth, pressing their bodies against a large rock that stood at least 3 meters high and 4 meters thick. At this point it might as well be a wall.

Their bodies half submerged in the cool lake water that glistened like a crsytal.

"Shh.."

His eyes were smiling playfully as he whispered softly in her ears.

Feiyun immediately understood, her eyes curling up as well as they both quietly listened to the familiar voice and footsteps that drew closer.

"FeiAn...I..."

A short muffled sound followed by silence.

"Don't worry, there's no one around but us."

Ruyi's voice held a trace of happiness. Feiyun shook her head with a palm to her forehead, letting out a silent sigh.

'Seems like they need more training, can't even tell we are here.'

Tianhuo watched her with an amused look. With the wet clothes sticking so close to her body, exaggerating her body figure, slim and toned curves.

Feiyun caught him looking at herself, reached up to pinch his cheek lightly, holding back a silent chuckle.

His wet hair clung to his body, dripping with lake water that smelt of spring. She watched as he observed their two shadows disappear back into the forest towards camp.

"Gone?"

Nodding his head, Tianhuo's eyes fell back to her. Against the rocks their body so close to each other, warmth spreading from their bodies.

The intimate moment drew them to each other. Tianhuo leaned in slowly, raining pecks onto her lips, slowly urging for her to make a move.

Unable to resist his soft and sweet kisses, Feiyun grabbed his wet robes and gently tugging him down and towards her, locking their lips tightly as tongues whirl and licked.

Tianhuo wrapped an arm around her waist gently holding her body close to his, wary to not hurt her wound as he pressed her gently against the rock.

"We'll catch a cold."

Feiyun manage to squeeze out as they parted for a breath.

Looking lovingly into her eyes, foreheads resting against the others'. As close as they were, Tianhuo simply closed his eyes as though taking in the moment as a sweet memory.

Pulling back, he planted a kiss on her forehead and helped her out. Helping Feiyun to put on the extra dry clothe.

---

Back at the camp, FeiAn was busing herself by preparing their dinner.

Hiding away her red and embarrassed face. Ruyi simply watched from a far a sly smirk on his face as he licked his foxy lips.

Although he had a mischievous appearance, deep within, he was truly happy. Finally FeiAn was back to normal.

*Flick*

"Ouch! Yo-"

Spinning around, Ruyi came face to face with Feiyun, who didn't even give him enough time to respond and finish his sentence,

" You need more training."

A confused expression appeared on Ruyi's face as he rubbed the back of his head , a small bump appeared from the pebble Feiyun flicked.

"Ohh, and don't say I didn't warn you, I would be careful or someone might take his revenge."

Feiyun let out a soft chuckle as she glanced towards Tianhuo.

Elegantly, Feiyun walked over to the camp fire, Tianhuo by her side supporting her and then placing his large black outer robes over her shoulder to keep her warm after their bath.

Seriously even now the shadows still felt like this was some kind of tasteless joke. There's no way the overbearing, merciless god of war would have shown this kind of gentleness to any other women.

*Rustle*

Everyone turned in sync, facing the north with their hands on their weapons, ready for combat. In the silent camp side, they faced the rustling leaves and tress.

Feiyun and Tianhuo simply continued sipping on their tea, without a care in the world. Feiyun had already heard them coming from before her shadows realised. Taking out a simple half mask, she placed it over her face and continued,

"Hold your hand."

Just as she finished, a familiar face popped out from the leaves. There was only one person they knew who wore that white feather of the rarest, most expensive falcon in her hair. The beast tamer and bow archer. But the other lady behind her was a stranger.

"FeiFeng? I thought we are suppose to meet at the town?"

FeiXu kept her twin moon glaives as she helped FeiFeng to her feet and towards the camp.

FeiFeng was a complete mess, branches and twigs stuck in her hair. Her clothes torn and tattered with dried blood and mud all over. Clearly her journey her must have been a tough one.

"Mistress, this is the person you wanted to meet. "

FeiFeng spoke as soon as she got closer to the camp. Feiyun's eyes drifted to the lady behind her. Silently observing. But the older lady was never interested in her, her eyes showed nervousness and held a trace of warmth as she stared directly at Tianhuo.

"We were suppose to meet at the town but some royal guards saw Lady Sakura and recognised her."

FeiFeng shook her head in disappointment of her own incapability. Ready to accept Feiyun's punishments should there be any.

Feiyun remained silent, only her eyes observing. The lady was of slightly older generation, hair turning white with wrinkles around her face. But her hair style and dressing was neat and pleasant.

'Why would Royal guards be chasing her?... Judging by her posture and elegance...'

"You... Used to be a worker in the palace am I right?"

Feiyun questioned, as she took a sip. Tianhuo's eyes flashed for a moment, hearing that the person was from the palace instantly reminded him of those who wished to harm them.

"Mistress, she cannot speak or understand our language."

Feiyun chuckled softly, placing the teacup back down.

"For a maid that worked in the palace before to not be able to speak the language is unheard of. Tell me why is it you hide that... And why are you so interested in my husband."

Feiyun's intelligent and confident eyes stared right at her, unblinking with her head cocked slightly to the side.

"Consort princess Feiyun is right. I am called Lin Sakura."

Her voice trailed off in hesitation. FeiFeng looked shocked to have been decived by the older woman the entire time. Her eyes blinking silently as she resist the urge to question the older lady.

" I used to work in the Fallen Phoenix Palace."

Even though she was covered in cuts and bruises, her bow was extremely dignified and well trained. At this point Tianhuo and Ruyi eyes widened in surprise.

The Fallen Phoenix Palace was where the unfavoured consort lived- in other words, Tianhuo's mother.

For her to have worked there, she could only have been one of Tianhuo's mother's maids.

Almost everyone who worked for the unfavoured consort either disappeared or died together with their mistress. Under the orders of the Empress to be buried alive with her body to "serve her in the next life."

Ever since her passing, the Fallen Phoenix Palace was closed off by Tianhuo. Placing a strict rule that whoever enters the palace will be struck down by his sword.

Many thieves tried sneaking in hoping to find jewels and riches of the dead consort and ended up getting caught by the strict shadow guards surrounding the palace. Each got punished as an example until the no one dared venture near the area.

However Feiyun did not know of the Fallen Phoenix Palace. Hence she merely showed no surprise or emotion.

"My prince, I am the first maid that served the late Imperial Consort Hanyu...."

Ruyi's eyes burned with fury.

'who was this old lady to call Tianhuo her prince. Does she think we trust her just by her words alone?'

"Insolent!-"

Before he could continue, Tianhuo raised a hand to stop him. Slowly standing up, a hand on Ruyi's sword as he pulled it out of the gleaming black sheath. The sound of metallic screech as the blade was drawn.

His eyes were cold and merciless. Everyone except for Feiyun stayed silent unable to swallow saliva.

The sword in Tianhuo's hand found its way to Sakura's neck. But her eyes remained resolute and confident. No fear nor guilt could be found within them.

Tianhuo's lips slowly parted revealing a sly smile that appeared momentarily. His magnetising deep rough voice, barely above a whisper as he recited,

"The Heavens can be Gentle and Benevolent,

But the it can also Punish and Burn with the fire of Justice."

Sakura instantly understood. Bowing her head slightly, uncaring for the sharp blade that was on her neck.

"My Tian* will hold the heaven's Benevolence and Raging Huo*... The Heavenly Dragon will soar into the sky and take his rightful place."

Finishing the last sentence for Tianhuo. Sakura looked up to him again. Her eyes watering slightly as she recalled her mistress who recited the poem over and over everyday to the small little boy in her arms, even until her last breath on her death bed.

Everyone remained silent as Tianhuo stood still for a long moment. There was no way he would have forgotten the words his kind mother always told him. He should be the only one who knew that poem.

His mother told him that he would understand when he got older and no matter what he should never tell anyone about this, even Ruyi.

Sakura quickly scanned the faces of the people. Her eyes meeting the unamused eyes of Feiyun. She knew that if she did not prove herself now and here, Feiyun would not let her go.

"This will also prove my words."

Tianhuo's attention fell back on the older lady. Her hand slowly reached into her bossom. Taking out a small pouch made of the finest silk and a magnificent purple and gold threads.

Respectfully reaching out to pass it to Tianhuo. His eyes scanned the pouch carefully. The feeling of nostalgia raced through his mind. He had seen this pouch somewhere before but he couldn't put a finger on it.

" Open."

Commanding coldly, Sakura nodded softly and opened the pouch. Taking the contents into her hand. On it was half of a jade pendant.

A fiery bright red and orange jade. One look and one could tell it was half of a phoenix. The craftsmanship was top quality a tier on its own. On the back inscribe with a character that was split cleanly in half.

Upon seeing the jade, Tianhuo's eyes widened, his sword slowly lowering away from her neck. Feiyun did not really understand but watching Tianhuo, if he decided it was ok she would believe him but she would not trust 100% in the old Sakura.

Tianhuo returned to Feiyun's side, his eyes stuck to the red jade in his hands. A thumb smoothing over it.

There was no way this could be a fake. Not when he saw the small scratch on the last word. Only he knew how that scratch came about, because he was the one that scratched his mother's jade.

"You must be tired, get up and come closer to the warm fire, FeiDu attend to their wounds. "

Feiyun spoke as she motioned to the small log across her, inviting the older lady to sit. Her eyes were slightly cautious and curious.

Although Tianhuo seemed to have no qualms about it, she couldn't help but be careful. He seemed to have gone off into his own thoughts after settling down beside her.

"Thank you, Princess Consort Feiyun."

Picking herself up slowly, she inched over to the log and sat down with the help of FeiDu.

Sakura understood that although she hadn't gotten the full trust, this was better than nothing. Finally after decades holding the secret, she can finally reveal it.

Staring into the open flame, watching the fire flicker and burn it reminded her of a memory.

--

**

"You useless slave! Don't think I won't dare to beat you to death. Your life is less than dust in front of her Highness."

------

Note:

*Tian = sky /heavens

*Huo = fire

* dragon? I wonder what that could be referring to 🤷

For those confused souls, The riddle consist of characters for Tianhuo's name.

Aerus