Ten miles ch 22

The remnants of the egg gathered into a thick pile of ash, yet nothing happened. Dijun felt as though his heart was going to tear from his chest, and fell to his knees while staring at the pile.

Around him, people seemed confused. "What happened? What went wrong?" Bai Qian silently whispered to Zhi Yan.

Bai Li looked to the sky and silently cursed, "Why does this keep happening?"

"Stand back," Zhi Yan yelled. The smell of smoke and ash permeated the air. He could feel her, but the others couldn't. Why does she hesitate, he asked himself. Then it occurred to him. A girl is still a woman, but she did not have any attire. "Everyone leave."

"She's ash," Dijun managed to say after a minute. He was soaked from head to toe in rainwater.

"Patience," he stated and ushered the others out of the door. Could he not feel her here? Then he remembered the times with his old mate. Ah, they have not bonded. The grief he is feeling is too strong. Zhi Yan remembered he'd not been able to sense his mate in that way until after they'd mated. Bai Li also did not feel her as he was no longer tied to his mate, and therefore the Tribe.

Dong Hua raised his hand and stepped toward the ash as his chest pounded with anxiety. Please come back, he thought toward the ashes. His knees gave out and he fell to the ground as a wave of dizziness hit him.

Bai Li said, "why has my daughter endured such a foul fate when she had met him?"

"Let him be," Zhi Yan kept ushering them away. "Do not bother them for now. It is imperative we do not disturb them. You remember the first time, right?"

Bai Li was silent for a time, but he nodded looking haggard.

"Is she even alive?" Bai Qian asked. Bai Qian was about to argue, but he waved her off in a calming manner. "Trust in the bond."

Dijun did not even move, nor did he notice the others as they left. Time passed, maybe minutes or hours, he wasn't sure. His body came to lay down on the ground where her ashes were when he'd passed out. He didn't want to feel, so he closed his eyes and endured the agony once again.

#

So much pain, she thought feeling the rise of grief within her chest. Someone needed her...

Who was she?

The ash stirred, tiny little static charges taking form around the ash. There were so many people, but she knew if she came out, she'd be...indecent.

Go to him, a voice spoke to her.

Only...there were people here. Somehow she knew that if she moved, she would form a body, but that body had no clothes...

"They have gone, little Feng Jiu. As a lady, I understand and sent them away. You do have another form, yes? All you have to do is think about it. Do you remember your red fur? Can you visualize it?"

She was...Feng Jiu!

Every thought and every memory came flashing back then. From her childhood sufferings to her recent death. But how...how am I here? She thought bewildered. Zhi Yan, how is this possible? She meant to ask herself but heard him respond.

Anything in this world is.

Do you hear me? Is that shadow still inside of me?

No, he responded gently. You are Queen, and have taken the mantle (role). You and Dijun are not like us. No higher position really exists than what we are, but you too are somehow more. Our Queens have always been able to talk to everyone in the tribe like this. And to their connected mates.

She didn't know what to say. I think I can remember what I looked like. I just don't understand why I am alive.

Such a sacrifice is also worthy of second chances. One of you is fates right hand, while the other is its heart. You are both a pair made of the same thread. It is time to tie the threads made for you. Arise and take the place that has always been meant for you, his ghostly voice whispered in her head. Do not worry on how. That was fate.

A place meant for me? She asked that same voice. What place has ever been mine? Will I rise to die again?

He understood her concern

Fate always finds a way child, even in the darkest night, and in trying times. I felt like I would die after my mate was killed. I returned to the peach blossoms as I have always felt close to her here. And now, I have someone new. I've lived so long now, and I've seen so much. Time is not just a linear thing. It moves and changes. Fate is not a person, nor a thing, yet It is. These are forces of chaos, but do they feel or simply have a purpose they fulfill? Dijun said he's spoken with fate so we truly don't know. We exist as pieces of a great puzzle. You have both neutralized a darkness that needed to be destroyed. Now, your time begins. Can you feel it? Can you feel all of your people?

I don't even know what I am, Zhi Yan. There are not many left.

Reach out. As Queen, all birds will naturally align with you. As your people, we are here for you. The sacrifice you made saved many lives. When your thread was created by fate at the beginning of time, there was greatness. Think of all the gifts you and Dijun possess. But power has to be balanced and It had to pull you both apart. One came to be in heaven, and the other came together generation by generation and was born in the mortal world of two immortals. This destiny was so rare-only a chance. In that, your equal darkness had come into being the moment you both did. Such is the way of things. Now that it has been erased, you can begin again. This destiny has always been intended for you both though that darkness sought to end you both. And thus, you both have chosen the path well and fought to protect. Now, it is your time Feng Jiu of the Red Phoenix Tribe, and Lord Dong Hua Dijun the unifier of the Heavens to become one as you were always meant to be. Love one another always. We are all a part of something grand. I cannot say if you or he will ever die. We all have our purpose in this life. You both are the greatest achievement of this chaos and won so much merit in your actions. Take it now, without fear. Serve the world well. Lift your head, and love him. Only you can give him what he was never able to have. Only you are meant to save him. Life is long, too long to be alone. Zi Lan has taken the core. You can be with your lover now.

Something clicked into place then, and the static grew in immensity around the pile.

Zhi Yan smiled briefly understanding that today, Dijun would never feel alone again. He lifted up the elder god and placed him on his bed. While he did so, Feng Jiu continued to put herself back together.

She thought of his words and imagined herself as a fox. The moment she did, she felt the ash stir and clump together to form a smaller fox body. She was even more glorious than she'd been the first time around. This is also something the Red Tribe could do to hide and form back together if they needed it to protect themselves.

Dust in the wind.

Finally, her eyes opened, and there stood Zhi Yan as if he'd waited for her. "Go on, I will close up and place a barrier here so you will have privacy." He gave her a wink then, "no need to rush out."

The moment she'd taken a form, tiny threads from her body reached for Dong Hua. Amazed, she stood there to watch the phenomena. Unable to speak, her heart lurched in her chest at seeing his pale face and closed eyes.

"He is fine, but you have given him a scare." He cleared his throat, "you need to be close to know what needs to be done." He gave the small red fox who stared up at him a pointed look.

If she could blush, she would have. Given that her fur was already a brilliant red, she didn't think it could turn any redder. Feng Jiu covered her snout with a paw and whined. Zhi Yan stood taller, huffed a small laugh, and began to walk away. "Do not be surprised if you have children young."

She whined at him and ran in a circle.

"Once you have let...nature take its course, please come see your family. Your father...he needs to see you. Like me, being near you will ease his heartache for the woman he loved."

Once she felt enough time had passed and Zhi Yan had gone, Feng Jiu jumped on the bed and tried to nudge her white-haired mate, but he did not stir. I can't just wake him up, I am naked. She looked around, but she didn't have hands or clothes. I'm so tired, she thought and cuddled up next to him. It was nice to be close, but she felt-hot.

Her power grew and wrapped around Dong Hua warming the cool air and drying his wet attire. Fully spent, Feng Jiu stared at his face, but fell asleep without even trying to.

#

There was something...a foot kicked him.

Dong Hua felt that same pull held felt when he'd last kissed her. His eyes flashed open when he felt a warm body lying right against his. "You kicked me," he muttered feeling sleepy.

Looking down, he could see a mass of red hair, an uncovered shoulder, and felt a woman's body against his.

Could it be...? Now wide awake, he sat up straight.

Dong Hua looked down at the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. When he reached for her, he paused not believing she was real. The weight of his hand had not been heavy at first, but when he lifted it, it certainly was.

"She sleeps at a time like this?" he murmured. His eyes took her in, and he then noticed she was nude. Beside her, he reached for a blanket to drape over her but stopped as his hand brushed the skin on her shoulder.

Feng Jiu felt the moment his touch landed on her. Brilliant eyes opened and met his, their gaze seemed to slam into one another as if it were a physical thing. The simple touch threaded and whirled over them as if it were encasing them in a cocoon. She felt her center throb, and heat spread from there.

"Do you always put yourself unclothed in your teacher's bed?" The way he looked at her was like a lover. He took his time and brushed her hair aside to enjoy the view. See was unmarred and unharmed-a masterpiece.

She turned red from his attention she said, "I was a fox when I laid down. We both know you are more than my teacher."

He trailed his finger from her shoulder to her neck and then used the same finger to lift her chin. "Are you shy?" he asked her. Her gaze had dropped when he'd looked at her. Even though she was the same as before she died, her eyes held knowledge that was not there before. Still, they were innocent. The pink of her blush crept down to her neck and he watched it spread further down.

Her nipples were hard, and he teased one with his hand. She inhaled sharply, her shoulders trembling as he continued to tease. Her heart pounded in her chest, "You have no shame to look at your student this way?"

She reached for his finger, and as she held his hand, she watched in wonder as the threads bound together. Just a simple thing, and she felt a tear slip down her cheek.

"Why are you sad?" he asked her and cocked his head and wiped her tears.

"Dong Hua, I never thought we'd have this. Are you angry with me? I wasn't sure I could do it if I told anyone."

He thought back and brought her into his arms, kissing her forehead. "How can I blame you for wanting to protect any more than I have?" He smiled, "you are the first to save the emperor though."

"I saved many people, but mostly I didn't want the world to lose you. They had a plan, but at some point, I knew it wasn't going to work. What do I get for saving you then?"

Dong Hua lifted a brow, rolled them over. Capturing her arm over her head, and settled over her and said, "You get to keep me as yours. No one else has managed that."

"They dare to?"

"Jealous?" he asked. He smiled this time liking it.

Before she could move or respond, his mouth molded itself onto hers. His lips were cooler because of the night weather, but soft. For someone who lived purely for so long, he really knew how to kiss. Moaning, he reached for him as he pulled away.

"Needy?" he joked as he reached for her breast again.

Feng Jiu shuddered as an intense pleasure rolled over her entire body. Dong Hua looked down at her again enjoying the sight of her breasts. "I've never been drawn to women like I am to you," he whispered. "But I like your jealousy."

"If you keep teasing me, I may need to find someone else."

His face changed then, a fierce determination settling over his features. "No one else can have you."

The more their bodies touched, the more she could feel the need to be closer. "I want to touch you too," she managed not caring about modesty. The throbbing was pulsating now. He gave her a slight smile and released her hands which she then used to unto his belt. "What, no foreplay?"

"Haven't you had enough near-misses now?" She meant all the other times they'd felt this pull and been interrupted or worse.

The air took on a charge as all play was replaced with need. Both stared into the other's eyes, and that need poured over them. "I want you, Don Hua. I need it so much. Formalities can wait."

"I know," he said and lifted his upper body as Feng Jiu opened his robes. She began to touch his chest spurning the need to claim her within him. Her hands went lower and took him in her hands. His resistance gave out and he pressed against her. Her hands went around his waist since he'd pushed them aside, and then to his hips.

"Open your legs," he told her. Seeing her pulse speeding away in her neck he urged, "don't worry. I'll stop if you want me too."

She could feel what he meant and searched his face. If they did this, they could make a child. "I don't want you to stop."

He moved his leg to part her thighs, and she gasped feeling that he was already full. Without hesitation, Dong Hua felt her slick entrance and pushed himself in until he felt the back of her. Feng Jiu arched as he entered and dug her nails into his skin. There was a sharp pain that took her breath away, but then it was instantly replaced with a roaring pleasure. She cursed several times as her inner walls expanded, but they gripped him firmly. Feng Jiu couldn't stop the waves of pleasure that kept causing her to moan.

"I love you," he whispered in her ear.

"I love you too."

Hearing her cry out as he took her for the first time, and then moan, Dong Hua closed his eyes and let the passion take him. her body was so responsive, so eager to accept him. In all his life, he'd not had family or a home, but tonight, she'd become both. He'd wanted to be gentle, but there was nothing he could do to stop the need to claim. If he was too rough, he'd hurt her, he thought.

She replied, "It doesn't hurt, just go faster!"

Dong Hua chuckled and then realized she could hear his thoughts. Instinctively he knew once they came, they'd be permanently bonded. But if he came, then there was the risk of pregnancy. The thought drove his pleasure higher.

His body moved, and the feeling of her warm wetness created tingling pleasure along his length. Their mouths met, tongues slid against the others, and he held her in place as he pushed into her relentlessly. What remained of his clothes were torn off, and feeling her like this under him gave him that primal urge to seed.

Feng Jiu couldn't contain herself, and her inner walls began to clamp on him harder. His thoughts were her thoughts. The pleasure was so intense, her grip on his back firm. "Harder," she begged.

His breathing hitched in her ear, and she felt each thrust increase in spread. Pleasure shot through her. Right after, she could hear his moans in the crock of her neck and felt him release deeply inside her. It made her pleasure extend along with his.

#

An audible sound escaped Bai Li as he looked upon his daughter's fox form for the first time. Nine red tails with white tips emerged from the peach blossoms, along with four white pawed feet. Her body was smooth and elegant, a shiny red pelt that was velvety to the touch.

She'd been hiding on a branch, but when he turned, he lost his breath. How beautiful a fox she was!

He launched from the group of bystanders and held his hands out as the fox lept in the air and formed a beauty that landed in his arms. The hug was warm and welcoming, and Feng Jiu found she couldn't stop crying. "father!"

Snapping to attention, Song Ju smiled, looked to Siming, and they aided in holding Bai Qian back. "I want to see her!"

Zhi Yan chided, "one second already!"

Her other brother added, "they will come more often. Wait your turn."

Bai Li felt his chest and heart settle finally. "I've searched the worlds for you, daughter."

She pulled back and smiled into his eyes. He looked worn and tired, but happiness radiated around him like the sun was at his back. "I am so happy..."

"You look so much like your mother." He hugged her again. Feng Jiu remembered the Demon Lord had said that the women of her line looked similar. That was then, she told herself and buried it down.

"Can we play now?" Bai Qian was usually quiet and restrained, but she longed to run free in her fox form.

Changing from the bird to the fox wasn't hard, but Feng Jiu was too exhausted to try another form so soon. Somehow, she knew that the bird would burn everything, the human form would need clothing, so she'd presented herself to her father as a fox. Now she could barely stay awake.

Dijun was instantly there and let her lean on him, "she is still weak."

Bai Qian lifted a brow, "its all the exercise she's been getting."

"Aye," her brothers looked back at her.

So this is it, she thought. Happiness rolled through her body. This is what home feels like.

Dijun watched the small smile curve on her small lips and felt joy. She understood it, and him, so well. Her face turned to his when she caught a glimpse of his other thoughts.

Seriously? again? See this is what happens when you spend so many thousands of years without a woman. All you think about is sex.

Feng Jiu, you would be jealous if I had any other women.

I'm not as bad as you Dong Hua.

Zi Yan said, "You two are at it again." The others missed his meaning.

Dijun met his gaze and lifted a knowing brow. His eyes landed on Feng Jiu as the others began to talk.

Bai Li cocked his head, "are you always so tired? Has it been hard since your rebirth?"

A shy smile erupted on her face as the others looked toward her. Her father patiently waited as her face blushed. Dijun wrapped an arm around her, and she said, "not the rebirth. Just the pregnancy."

Siming laughed as a smile emerged, Bai Qian blinked several times, and both her uncles and Zhi Yan nodded happily.

Siming asked, "Do you know what you are having?"

Song Ju laughed and added, "wow already." He felt a joy spread in his chest. They wouldn't be born evil or cursed. They wouldn't be someone's mount. There'd been no children for so long...

"You hid it well," he commended. "What a nice surprise!"

"Indeed," Siming commented.

Liang Song gave Dong Hua that look. "You will come out to play Go at some point." Inwardly, he laughed. The joys of love and sex were new. And soon, so would be the joys and restlessness of young children. And all at once!

"Why would this stop me," he said quietly to Liang Song."

He looked to Feng Jiu, "order him to come out then. Between love and your good cooking, I may never see him again."

Siming scolded him and they laughed.

From all he'd learned from her over the course of the last few weeks, a Queen had many gifts. They'd painstakingly documented and went through the histories to confirm her Tribe secrets and past. There wasn't much, yet Zhi Yan and Dong Hua remembered well and filled in the rest. Then there were all the hidden items the heavens kept stored away that she and Siming had gone through.

Since she could sense her children through the link of her Tribe, she would know what they were. Through her-and their bond as a mated pair- Dong Hua could share in communication with them. It was strange, as they felt things and didn't speak. But they learned fast. She could tell if they wanted to be sung to, or if they had a bad dream and needed comfort.

She let Dong Hua deliver this news. He looked down at her and remember all of the nights that led to their three babies, "We're having fraternal twin girls and one son."

Bai Li mentioned, "you should no play in the trees then. What if you fall?"

Feng Jiu's heart warmed at his concern. "Ok, I won't father."

Normally, the Red Tribe had low birth rates-especially for girl children. They didn't know if she'd be able to have a girl since Dong Hua was not a male from her Tribe. Of course, Song Ju and Zhi Yan had held hope that there was a chance to revive the Tribe, and perhaps one of her children would be a girl and find a male in the Tribe she could love. This is how it all starts, she thought as she ran a hand over her belly. Feng Jiu added, "the girls are red phoenixes, and the boy is a fox."

It was the beginning. Finally. Beside her, Dijun nodded.