Chapter 114 - I Am Already Here

Fingers touched his shoulder and tapped as if to a music. Each tap felt like a knock against his heart, as if asking to be let in. Thin lips smiled softly at him like a sigh. Ying Yue opened his mouth to speak, but he did not know what to say. None of his thoughts seemed to want answers due to the touch against his shoulder.

Was the painter putting him under a spell?

A loud sound screeched into the air, illuminating the sky with glowing purple. He quickly grabbed the sword at his side and was able to step before the painter, before the demon shot through the wall. It pushed against the sword in his hands, where he had dropped the barrier charm on the floor. It covered them in protection, but the demon was large and pushed harder, causing him to skid back.

Guards and warriors entered the room, weapons pointed at the demon. The large black shadow screeched and shot against the sides, catching the men and women in it. Their screams made Ying Yue alert and he sent out his spiritual energy with his qi, forcing the shadow back.

The black shadow covered the room, enveloping it into darkness. Ying Yue quickly illuminated the thin black sword in his hand, running his fingers up toward the tip. He reached back and did not feel anyone.

Jaws clenched and brows furrowed in worry, he could hear people screaming and getting hurt. He stabbed the sword on the ground and spread his aura, illuminating the entire room. The demon screeched loudly and he saw the center of the demon, two pink rounds conjoined together.

"Sword!"

He called out running to the pink blobs and he swung to strike it, but the painter had stepped before it suddenly. Unable to stop in time, he watched as his blade strike downward. The painter had leaned his head back enough to have the sharp metal banged onto the intricate mask.

Pulling back, he panted blinking widely at the man.

There was a crack that sounded as the ceramic mask slowly broke. He glanced at the demon who was now whimpering. Ying Yue quickly went to the pink blobs and found the blood on his face fall.

Inside of the pink lining were conjoined twins.

His fingers trembled and he dropped his sword, clanking against the floor. He was about to strike babies… children…

He felt bile coming up his throat, but a hand held his wrist, calming him with coldness. He glanced at the painter holding his mask in place, as his palm was placed on the babies. He closed his eyes and sent them back to the Netherworld, but it did not stop the guilt he was feeling.

He was trembling and he didn't realize he was shaking, until he felt arms around him. He could hear the guards and warriors mourning for their friends. He could hear Sect Leader Yang speaking up as people were sent to the healers. The room was a broken mess and he heard the young leader spoke to the painter, but his ears felt like they were ringing. His mind muddled, unfocused, but there were words floating through.

He was turned and pushed against warmth and soft fabric. A few more mumble sounding words exchanged and he could hear footsteps walking away. He pushed off the warmth and shook his head, trying to clear his groggy mind. Rubbing his face with his palm, he looked around blinking for clarity.

After a moment, he looked over at the concerned eyes of the young leader.

"Forgive me, Sect Leader Yang. I was unable to save them."

"You fought your best," the man in light green fanned him and he could feel the coolness of his perspiration against his warm skin, "Are you alright? Please rest, Heaven's Chosen."

Ying Yue nodded, accepting the offer. He was led to a room and he sat on the bed, feeling his robe tighter against his skin. His breathing was coming out in small pants and he swallowed the saliva down his scratchy throat.

"Here, Chosen One, drink this."

He nodded and drank the soup. Swallowing the warm liquid down, he sighed and smiled over at the young leader.

"I thank you, Sect Leader Yang."

"Please rest well. If you need anything, please ask. I will have a guard at your door."

"I should help rebuild-"

"No. You stay here."

The man walked out and closed the door behind him. Dizziness returned to the blonde and he groaned softly. He laid down on his side, panting and groaning. He tried to breath, to calm himself. In and out, in and out. He did not know how long he focused on doing something as easy as breathing, but he missed the door opening and closing.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he flinched away, grabbing the wrist.

"Ah Yue."

Golden eyes widened in a haze and his panting got worse. His fingers trembled against the wrist in his hand.

"What did you call me?" He murmured staring into moonlit eyes.

"Ah Yue," the man whispered and moved in closer. His blurry eyes saw him clearly now. Eyes of silver and kissable thin lips like he remembered, but there were scars on once perfect skin. At least... it looked like there were.

"I miss you, my love."

"Is it truly you?"

He felt fingers moved down his temple and cupped his cheek. Thumb pad ran over his skin as mouth hovered over his. He let out a moan feeling incredibly aroused from the touch.

"You gave me my name, Ah Yue," he heard a soft laugh puffing across his lips, "… and I gave you yours."

He wrapped his arms around the man and couldn't help crying. It was him. The smell of plum blossoms entered his nose and he relaxed into the embrace. He felt kisses at his temple to his eyes, nose, then lips.

Wang Li.

It was his husband's kisses, his tongue, his fingers gliding down his back and up his thigh. Ying Yue moaned and gasped, as he panted in whimpers. Legs wrapped around waist, hands gliding over his heated skin, back arching, and teeth grazing.

He felt fingers running through his sweat soaked hair, pushing strands away from his face.

"Ah Li…" he whispered with half lidded eyes, "I missed you."

"I know."

Lips kissed him again and he smiled.

"Is this a dream? Will you be gone when I wake up?"

He held onto his lover tighter to him and wrapped his leg over his husband's hip.

"Promise me… promise me you will still find me when you are ready."

"Ah Yue," he closed his golden eyes relishing in the sound of baritone voice, "I am already here."