Lin Yu," Ember repeated, the name. "Well, Lin Yu, it seems you've created quite a problem. Those guards will return with reinforcements. The auction house doesn't give up on breeding males easily—you're far too valuable. And carrying an unconscious wolf general through the forest isn't exactly subtle."
"So what do you suggest?" Lin Yu asked, hating how small his voice sounded.
Ember's smile was sharp. "You come with me, of course. To the Phoenix Clan territory. We have healers who can properly treat your... friend. And you'll be safe from the auction house. The clans don't raid each other's territories."
It sounded reasonable. It sounded like salvation.
Lin Yu knew better.
"And what do you want in return?" he asked.
Ember laughed, delighted. "Smart boy. Most people would just accept rescue without question." He leaned in close, his breath warm against Lin Yu's ear. "What I want, Lin Yu, is to understand how you know things you shouldn't know. And to figure out why tells instinct me that you're going to be very important."
Before Lin Yu could respond, Kaelen groaned.
They both looked down. The wolf general's eyes fluttered open, unfocused and fever-bright. His gaze landed on Lin Yu, and something shifted in those silver depths.
"Mate," Kaelen whispered. "My mate. Don't... let him..."
His eyes rolled back again, unconscious once more.
Ember's eyebrows rose. "Oh my. This just gets better and better." He looked at Lin Yu with renewed interest. "The Exiled General thinks you're his true mate? How fascinating."
"It's a misunderstanding," Lin Yu said quickly. "He's delirious from silver poisoning. He doesn't mean—"
"Wolf generals don't misidentify true mates," Ember interrupted. "Their instincts are too strong." He studied Lin Yu with those unnerving eyes. "A breeding male who's also a true mate to one of the most dangerous wolves in the realm. You're just full of surprises."
"I'm really not that interesting," Lin Yu tried.
"Liar." Ember's smile turned predatory. "But that's alright. I do enjoy a mystery." He snapped his fingers, and two phoenix clan guards materialized from the shadows—Lin Yu hadn't even realized they were there. "Take General Kaelen to the healing wing. Treat him as an honored guest."
"Your Highness?" one guard questioned. "But he's—"
"I know what he is," Ember said coolly. "Do as I say."
The guards carefully lifted Kaelen's unconscious form. Ember turned back to Lin Yu, extending a hand.
"Come, little hero. Let's get you somewhere safe. We have so much to discuss."
Lin Yu looked at that outstretched hand. At the guards carrying Kaelen away. At the dark forest behind him where the auction house hunters would surely return.
He thought about his outline, about how Ember was supposed to be a antagonist-turned-ally. But that was fifty chapters from now. Right now, Ember was just dangerous.
But then again, so was everything else in this world.
"Do I have a choice?" Lin Yu asked.
"Of course," Ember said pleasantly. "You can come with me to safety, comfort, and protection. Or you can take your chances alone in the forest, where the auction house guards will find you, the Moonlight Serpents might eat you, and you'll never know if your wolf general survives."
"That's not really a choice."
"No," Ember agreed. "But I'm being polite by pretending it is."
Lin Yu stared at that hand for a long moment. Then, with a sigh , he took it.
Ember's fingers closed around his, warm and surprisingly gentle.
"Excellent choice," the Phoenix Prince purred. "Welcome to my territory, Lin Yu. I have a feeling you're going to make my life very interesting."
As they walked into the darkness, Lin Yu could only think one thing:
I'm going to die. I'm definitely going to die. And it's going to be my own stupid plot's fault.
Behind them, in the clearing they left, a single moonpetal flower glowed in the darkness, its light slowly fading.
The Phoenix Clan territory was nothing like Lin Yu had imagined when he'd written about it.
Well, that wasn't entirely true. He'd described it as "opulent" and "exotic" with "architecture that defied gravity." What he hadn't described was the vertigo-inducing reality of buildings that actually floated, connected by bridges made of what appeared to be solidified fire, or the way everything glowed with an inner warmth that made the entire compound feel like being inside a living flame.
"Try not to gawk," Ember said, though his tone suggested he was amused rather than annoyed. "It's unbecoming."
"I'm not gawking," Lin Yu lied, absolutely gawking at a fountain where the water flowed upward and turned to steam that formed shapes of birds before dissipating.
"Of course not." Ember guided him along a bridge—Lin Yu tried very hard not to look down at the thirty-foot drop. "Tell me, Lin Yu, have you ever been to phoenix territory before?"
"No."
"Hmm. Yet you don't seem frightened."
Because I literally created this place, Lin Yu thought. I know the floating buildings won't fall because I wrote them that way.
he said: "I'm terrified. I'm just very good at hiding it."
Ember laughed, a sound like crackling flames. "At least you're honest about that." He led Lin Yu across another bridge, toward what appeared to be the largest structure—a palace that looked like it had been carved from a single piece of amber. "Most males would be weeping by now. Breeding males especially tend to be... delicate."
"I'm not delicate," Lin Yu said before he could stop himself.
"No," Ember agreed, glancing back at him with those unnerving eyes. "You're really not, are you? You threatened three armed guards with a stick, treated silver poisoning with field herbs, and blackmailed them with serpents that may or may not exist. That's not delicate behavior."
Lin Yu kept his mouth shut. Every word out of his mouth seemed to make Ember more interested.
------
They entered the palace through doors that opened without anyone touching them. Inside, the air smelled like cinnamon and smoke. Phoenix clan members moved through halls, all beautiful in that sharp, predatory way, with hair in shades of red, gold, and orange. Several stopped to stare at Lin Yu.
"Is he—?" one whispered.
"Breeding male," another confirmed
"The Prince is collecting again—"
"Silence," Ember said without raising his voice. The whispers cut off immediately. "Anyone who spreads rumors about our guest will answer to me personally."
The phoenix clan members scattered like sparks
"Collecting?" Lin Yu asked nervously.
"Ignore them." Ember waved a dismissive hand. "My people have vivid imaginations and no sense of discretion." He then led Lin Yu down a corridor lined with paintings that seemed to move—flames dancing in eternal patterns. "Here we are. Your quarters."
He pushed open a door, revealing a room that made Lin Yu's jaw drop despite his best efforts.
It was huge. Easily three times the size of his old apartment. The bed alone could fit five people comfortably, piled with pillows and blankets in rich reds and golds. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the floating city, currently bathed in moonlight. A bathing pool—an actual pool—steamed invitingly in one corner.
"This is a guest room?" Lin Yu asked weakly.
"This is your room," Ember corrected. "For as long as you're under my protection." He walked to a wardrobe and opened it, revealing clothes that definitely hadn't been there a moment ago. "These should fit. My people are efficient."mell it from here."
"The Prince is collecting again—"
"Silence," Ember said without raising his voice. The whispers cut off immediately. "Anyone who spreads rumors about our guest will answer to me personally."
Too efficient. Suspiciously efficient.
"Why are you doing this?" Lin Yu asked. "Really. You don't know me. You don't owe me anything. Why help?"
Ember turned, and for a moment, the playful mask dropped. The look in his eyes was ancient and calculating. "Because you're interesting, Lin Yu. And in a world where I've seen everything, done everything, interest is a precious commodity." He moved closer. "Plus, any breeding male who's also a true mate to the Exiled Wolf General? That's not just interesting. That's valuable."
There it was. The truth beneath the pretty words.
"I'm not merchandise," Lin Yu said quietly.
"No," Ember agreed. "You're much valuable then that"His head tilted. "Speaking of which—how is your wolf general? Still alive, I hope?"
The casual question made Lin Yu's freeze
"You said your healers would treat him."
"I did. And they are. But silver poisoning is tricky, and he'd lost so much blood..." Ember's smile was sharp. "You care about him. Why? You just met him."
"I don't like watching people die."
"You said that before. I don't believe you." Ember circled him slowly. "No one risks their freedom for a stranger. Not without a reason."
Because he's a character I created,Because I know exactly how his story is supposed to go, and it doesn't involve dying in a random forest clearing!
"Maybe I'm just stupid," Lin Yu said instead.
"Also not true." Ember stopped in front of him. "You know what I think? I think you knew exactly who he was. The Exiled Wolf General, wanted in seven territories, with a bounty that could feed a village for years. And you saved him anyway."
Lin Yu's heart hammered. "So?"
"So that means either you're suicidally altruistic, or you need him alive for some reason." Ember's finger traced along Lin Yu's jaw. "Which is it, little mystery?"
"Does it matter?"
"Everything matters." Ember stepped back, and the casual mask slipped back into place. "Rest. Bathe. Eat—there's food coming. Tomorrow, we'll discuss the terms of your stay."
"Terms?"
"Nothing onerous," Ember assured him. "But my protection isn't free, Lin Yu. No one's is." He moved toward the door. "Oh, and one more thing."
"What?"
"Don't try to leave." Ember's smile was pleasant and absolutely terrifying. "The bridges recognize phoenix clan members. Anyone else who tries to cross without permission... falls. It's a long way down."
He left before Lin Yu could respond.
The door closed with a soft click, and Lin Yu was alone.
He immediately searched for other exits. The windows didn't open—or rather, they did, but opened onto a sheer drop with no visible way down. The door was unlocked, but Ember's warning about the bridges made that route suicide.
"Trapped in a gilded cage," Lin Yu muttered. "How poetic. I'm sure past-me thought this was brilliant writing."
A knock interrupted his spiraling thoughts.
"Come in?" Lin Yu called nervously.
A phoenix servant entered, pushing a cart laden with food. She was young, with orange-red hair and a nervous demeanor. "Lord Ember sent refreshments, honored guest."
"Thank you," Lin Yu said. "Um, what's your name?"
She looked surprised to be asked. "Cinder, my lord."
"I'm not a lord. Just Lin Yu." He tried for a friendly smile. "Cinder, can I ask you something?"
She nodded hesitantly.
"The wolf general they brought in—Kaelen. Is he... how is he?"
Cinder's expression shuttered. "I'm not permitted to discuss other guests, honored—Lin Yu."
"Please," Lin Yu said. "I just need to know if he's alive."
She bit her lip.