Chapter 9. Escape with a cup of tea
AT THE SAME TIME
MEI SHEN’S POINT OF VIEW:
I forced my trembling hand forward, holding out the cup of steaming tea like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Here... drink this." I said, voice steady, but my heart was hammering in my chest.
He took the cup, those intense green eyes locking onto mine as if trying to read every secret I hid. Slowly, deliberately, he raised it to his lips and drank. I watched him, breath held tight, waiting for any sign that he’d noticed the subtle hint of the sleep draught I had slipped inside. His eyes narrowed slightly, brow furrowing as if puzzling over something beyond the warmth of the tea.
"Why did you run?" He asked quietly, voice low but filled with a strange ache. "I don’t understand... You left so suddenly."
I swallowed hard, fighting the panic rising in my throat.
"I... I heard things." I whispered, voice barely more than a breath. "About the Empress. About you. About me."
His gaze darkened, sharp as a blade. It was clear that he did not care at all that earlier he never wanted me more than a play thing. What did changed so suddenly?
"They don’t matter." He said firmly, stepping closer, the warmth of his presence pressing against me. "Only you matter."