Chapter 10
Fenghuang Tangyue made love to Nua many times that day and night, feeling raw and spent by the end. She was so sleepy that she could barely hold her head up while he bathed her and helped her to get dressed.
"I have to take you back now, Nua" he had finally confessed to her.
He carried her in his arms as he flew to the gates of the Heavenly Realm. He had just managed to reawaken her, when the Emperor appeared in the distance, followed by his entourage.
"Look, Nua, it's your Father" he told her.
She looked up interestedly, waving as they approached. The nap she had taken seemed to have helped quite a bit.
Tangyue stood patiently next to her, but not too close. When the Emperor arrived, he bowed formally.
"Tangyue, my nephew, it is good to see you" the Emperor said to him politely, and then turned to his daughter.
"Nua! Welcome back! We are SO proud of you!" The Emperor held out his arms, embracing Nua in a robust fatherly hug. Nua stumbled a bit, looking back at Tangyue in confusion.
"She must be exhausted after that ordeal, my poor baby!" exclaimed the Empress, who grabbed Nua out of her father's embrace only to hug her herself.
"Wow, Nua! That must be a record for the most days spent in a Mortal Trial" said Fucan as he leaned in to hug her too. "It was no fun without you!" he complained.
"Why do you smell like... sulphur?" Nua asked him in a confused voice. Fucan coughed loudly and looked down, backing away.
His place was quickly taken by Kuanglu, who pulled Nua into a quick hug, and then pulled back to look searchingly at her face, holding two fingers to her forehead. "Do you feel all right?" she asked tensely. "You look a little odd."
"I'm... tired" Nua replied with difficulty. She looked around, seeming lost.
Tangyue could tell that she was searching for him.
"This is not the time" he told himself mentally, feeling pained as he sidled away. It was easy for him to fade into the background and make his escape. None of these family members cared all that much about him. He had learned where he stood long ago.
As he made his way up the stairs, he passed by Yanyou and his wives, followed by Kun Ji and her twin brothers, going in the opposite direction. He bowed to them politely as they passed. Yanyou nodded and kept walking. Kun Ji stared at him as she passed, craning her neck to see him longer.
"Tangyue, I'm so glad you're back!" she whispered vehemently, as she walked by. Tangyue bowed to her again, and then continued on. He couldn't wait to sleep in his own bed at Qiwu Palace.