A wish fulfilled
He lay wind-sheltered between the roots of the old cherry tree. His head was on Yan Da's chest, her arm wrapped around his back. Confused, the Ice Prince straightened up a little as not to disturb her, and looked around. Right, he must have passed out after the merging with Xian Xue. But why was he lying on the ground of this sacred place? And how could he feel so warm and dry? Ying Kong Shi's gaze fell on Yan Da's hand, and his eyebrows rose in astonishment. Although Yan Da seemed soundly asleep, she was giving off her warm magic to him in quiet, controlled waves. Even when you're asleep, you care for me. Her obvious protecting instincts brought a smile to his face. Suddenly, pictures of his dream flashed before his eyes - and with the dream the memories of a life before his own. He gasped out, overwhelmed by the memories and feelings of Xian Xue. Like a self-repeating frame, he could watch himself through his eyes. So this is how it was for Yan Da…. I underestimated the impact of so many alien memories. His head ached, soYing Kong Shi closed his eyes, and dozed off, exploring the Bird Spirit's past, which he now remembered as if he had been there as himself. What he discovered gave him a seldom feeling of happiness and calm. There were so many fond memories of Yan Zhu and She Mi. Somehow, his ancestor had managed to keep these old memories alive, rich in detail and colours. How many times had Xian Xue relived them to keep his heart from drowning in his solitude?
Ying Kong Shi inhaled and exhaled deeply. The pale winter sun shone on both Yan Da's and his face between the branches, a play of moment and colours. He felt her warm and soft body under him. I will do the same, Xian Xue. I will never forget my mother and Ka Suo. But from now on, I will also live in the moment, enjoying the details, the small things, being grateful for those who believe in me. After all, I have overcome the lonely despised boy of the past. I have friends now, and I have Yan Da. And I will be a king that will pay back the trust they have in me.
He shifted his weight so he could get a better look at Yan Da. She seemed so relaxed, so free from pain and fear. He couldn't resist, he lifted her chin and placed a soft kiss on her lips. Still half asleep, she returned his kiss, warm and tender. But suddenly, aware of what happened, she opened her eyes, one deep red, and one the colour of the sun. The Fire Queen pressed her hands on his chest and brought herself in a more upright position. Ying Kong Shi's smile turned into a deep gaze. Confused, she avoided his stare, and brought a hand to her lips. Had he really just kissed her? Her hand started to shake, and an unexpected tear rolled down her cheek. Startled, Ying Kong Shi took Yan Da by her shoulder. "I am sorry… should I not have done that?" Slowly, Yan Da's gaze fell down on his hand. Then, hesitatingly, she dared to look in his eyes. "I'm... I just never expected you to kiss me. I know, for you it's not the first time. I can remember our first kiss month ago. But, well, it was not me."
The Ice Prince looked at her in disbelief, before he realized that for his friend, the past weeks of their growing relationship must feel somewhat artificial. In her reality of the past, a true relationship with him had never been possible. Ying Kong Shi smiled, warmly and encouragingly. "It's alright. I can understand what you are going through. Those memories must still feel alien. To be honest, I also have to get used to Xian Xue's memories. But Yan Da… I'm happy, and glad that you're here with me. We are probably the only ones who understand the price paid for this fresh start. What price we paid, and Xian Xue, but especially you…" He raised his hand and caressed her cheek. "Those past weeks with you, I mean your other self, I admit I miss them. But there is no need to set ourselves under pressure. How about that: there are still a few days left until my coronation. I guess I won't have that much to do. The rebuilding of the kingdoms is already in progress, and your tribe is probably busy exploring the possibilities of a fertile and blooming land. So you will also have some free time. Would you like to spend that time with me? We can do whatever you want. But I truly do hope that you can accept me as your future husband-to-be." Yan Da looked at him for a moment, before her eyes lit up and a smile that almost looked childish stole onto her lips. More than anything, that smile told him that she trusted him now. Thank you, Xian Xue. Ying Kong Shi inhaled deeply. "Yan Da, promise me one thing: be patient with me, will you? After everything we've been through, I couldn't take it, if you just turned away from me."
His words made her visibly happier. Yan Da took his hand, and turned his palm up. A small spell formed in her hand, which quickly became glistening bright and colourful - the lights of a miniature fireworks display. She let the radiating explosions slide onto his hand, as she had done before to lighten his mood. Yan Da watched Ying Kong Shi's reaction. It was very different from then, in the past. She gazed at him in amazement, as his lips spread into a beautiful smile. His eyes turned into a lighter colour, until one of them was as golden as her own. He is still so afraid of opening his heart, afraid of rejection… If he could feel what only the sight of him does to my heart, he would never again fear to be left alone.
"I, Yan Da, promise to be patient with you, Ying Kong Shi. These fireworks have always been a sign of our solidarity, and they should remind you that I was, and always will be there for you. But, Ying Kong Shi, my whole family is gone. I live in an empty castle now, and I shoulder the burden of my people alone. In the past, you were my only friend. Now, you're the only person who comes close to family. So, in return for the promise of my patience, I want you to promise me that you won't have any concubines, should we marry. Sharing love with someone is a great gift. If I am to be your wife, then I have to be enough for you alone."
Ying Kong Shi stared at Yan Da, trying not to laugh. He had never been particularly interested in women. Yan Da was like a beacon that overshadowed all other women in his life. He wasn't like his father, or the old Ice King, and he felt deep down that he would never become such a man. "Until stones turn to dust, and seas will dry out, I will stick to this promise." His words now made both of them smile. Except that Yan Da's smile suddenly became mischievous. „That's a big promise, Ying Kong Shi. But can you hold it? You haven't even gone Ice-skating with me!" Ying Kong Shi started laughing. A rare event that sounded as strange to Yan Da's ears as a new melody. Still laughing, he took her hand and wanted to pull her up, to the lake. But Yan Da suddenly stopped. Her torn dress slipped down, revealing her white shoulders. Ying Kong Shi swallowed but didn't look away from her. Embarrassed, Yan Da pushed the remains of her dress up. Ying Kong Shi sighed and grabbed the cloth. Yan Da drew her arms over her chest, and looked at him like a shy deer. Ying Kong Shi raised his eyebrows in surprise and amusement. "What? Don't you think we should get some new clothes for you first?" When she still didn't make a move, he sighed. "Remember, small steps? Just hold still."
Ying Kong Shi took the fabric of her dress between thumb and forefinger and let his magic flow into it. Blood red and golden surfaces spread over her body, which were combined in filigree patterns to form a festive robe. Her slim waist was encircled by a wide golden belt that held her robe together. The high collar emphasized her long neck, and the wide sleeves reminded him of the wings of the Phoenix in his dream.
Yan Da gasped, and looked in amazement at the beautiful dress. "How can you control your magic so precisely? Have you seen this dress somewhere?" Ying Kong looked at her carefully, thinking and weighing his next words. "I am also amazed at the outcome of my gift for you. I have never seen such a dress. I guess it's a side effect of Xian Xue's memories. The Bird Spirit has spent most of his life dreaming in space, and I remember so much now. I am sure that I will soon find out how the connection between him and me affects my magic." "Do you think you are now even stronger than before?" She gave him a thoughtful look. "Not stronger, no, but ... maybe more in control of my abilities. Now... get up. There's still something important we have to do." Quickly, the two of them sent messenger owls to their tribes. Ying Kong Shi updated his counsil and friends of their whereabouts, and Yan Da informed her generals as well. As expected, Ying Kong Shi wasn't needed right away, although Huang Tuo scolded him slightly for leaving him in uncertainty of his well-being for a whole night. The healer promised to take care of everything for the next three days. He also told Ying Kong Shi with a meaningful look, that Xing Gui and Yue Shen had already taken charge of the preparations for the coronation, and that the Ice Prince had the better lot, not having to watch the busy and exaggerated on-goings.
It was different with Yan Da. General Gao Yuqing asked Yan Da to come home to her tribe as soon as possible. After all, there was no one left who could have represented her with full authority. And yet there were some decisions to be made, including the handling of the spreading news that she had been given the full support of the Mermaid Clan to marry into the Ice Tribe. Yan Da sighed inwardly, but agreed nevertheless to come home to Fire City in the evening. "Wait, General. Please prepare the guest rooms." Sure, my Queen. Who can we welcome as guest?" Hesitating, Yan Da looked at Ying Kong Shi, who was standing next to her. He smiled, and gave his consent with a barely perceptible nod. "Prince Ying Kong Shi will be with me. We would like to get to know each other better before his coronation and we would like to discuss the possibilities of a common reign of our two kingdoms. Prince Ying Kong Shi would also like to find out more about the welfare of the Fire Tribe, as he will also be our king in the future. So we'll be traveling around for a few days and I'll bring him closer to the customs of our people."
The general cocked his head for a moment, as if he seemed to be weighing something in his head. Then he bowed deeply in the direction of Ying Kong Shi. "My prince, in this case I will have the rooms of our late king prepared for you, if you have no objection. You will surely find that a lot has changed here in the last few days ... and for the better." With that, he waved his perspective a little so that Yan Da and Ying Kong Shi could see the area behind Gao Yuqing. The sky above the palace window was brilliant blue, and the lava flows at the bottom had frozen into smooth streets on which carts and wagons were busily removing lava rocks to build new houses. Trees stretched their branches upwards and stood with thick trunks in the courtyard, as if they had always been there. "As you can see, Queen Yan Da, we couldn't be happier with the changes you and Prince Ying Kong Shi have brought to the land. A delegation of healers arrived a few days ago and is successfully treating those who have suffered from the constant smoke. There is no longer any hunger, the plants develop so quickly that the bushes and trees in the new forests are full of fruit. I am happy to welcome our future King with you tonight, Your Majesty." Yan Da smiled as her general's image faded. She had been a little worried that there might be problems with the acceptance of Ying Kong Shi as king. But now her worries faded. Gao had done a great job, spreading the news how Ying Kong Shi had supported her to wield the creative magic. She turned to Ying Kong Shi, who pushed a strand of hair back from her face, and smiled. "Thank you for the unexpected invitation, your Majesty. It seems that the magic of the Ice-Fire-Rock is still at work, I can't wait to explore its effects. But most of all I am happy to have some time with you."
The Ice Prince took her hand, and asked her to sit on a thick old root near the bank. Then he pushed up her dress, revealing the fine leather boots that his magic had created for her. Slowly, his magic flowed over his finger onto her soles, forming ice skids. An astonished smile from Yan Da was his reward. "Ready?" After another brief spell on his own shoes, he stepped onto the ice with his Fire Queen. Her deep colours contrasted sharply with the white and blue tones of the landscape, as if the ice itself focused on her. The cold made her breath rise in delicate clouds of steam. After a few steps, Yan Da slid over the ice and she laughed, a laugh like Ying Kong Shi had never heard from her before. Or maybe…? A memory flashed before his eyes in which she seemed huge to him ... a jump, and he was on the palm of her hand, and she laughed at him with the same kind and happy eyes. Ying Kong Shi blinked. He had never had a memory like this before. Was it a memory from when he was a sword spirit?
"Ying Kong Shi, the dress is so long, I can't see my feet!" She complained, out of breath. "You shouldn't look at your feet, but at the ice in front of you! But, if it's too long for you…." With a suggestive smile he let his magic shorten her dress until it revealed her thighs. He had expected Yan Da to scold him, but instead, she gave him that look again. Her mouth curled up in a wide laugh, dimples on her white cheeks. The sight of her made his heart skip a beat. "Show me how to get faster!" She demanded. He let go of her hand and pushed himself off the ice. With flowing movements he darted over the hard surface. Yan Da, who had a natural talent for sports of all kinds, was behind him faster than he had expected. "Yan Da, watch out, you're just beginning to learn the trick! The ice is slippery!" But the warning was unnecessary. Soon, they were racing together over the lake. They played the whole afternoon. Their hearts were light, and their thoughts as carefree as they had never been before.
When they finally sank exhausted against a fallen tree trunk, Yan Da Ying looked at Ying Kong Shi questioningly. "Back then, on the second day of the peace negotiations, you asked me if I would accept you as my husband. Do you remember?" Ying Kong Shi nodded. "Suddenly the Mermaid Saint intervened, bringing up the royal aptitude test, and I couldn't give you an answer." Ying Kong Shi put an arm around Yan Da and looked at her expectantly. "Today, we spent the whole afternoon on the ice. For me, a long-awaited dream has come true. But, Ying Kong Shi, don't you find me ... too little feminine?" Ying Kong Shi stared at her with an irritated look. "What makes you think that?" "Perhaps… you expect a woman to do other things with you, like romantic walks, or playing the flute…" Ying Kong smiled and looked at her tenderly, but also confidently. "If I want to play the flute, I'll play for you. And we will certainly go on romantic walks in the future. Yan Da, with you… I can play anything. I don't have to worry about physical limits, considering how strong you are, or whether you might feel anxious, or even bored. You're not as tender as so many other princesses, and that's what I've always found so exciting about you. For our empires I have to be a responsible king in the future ... but with you I can be who I am. With you, I can be free."
His eyes focused on her, and Yan Da sank into the blue. She touched his cheek and the disguising spell over his eye vanished. "That's right. And that's why you don't have to hide your tribal mark with me, Ying Kong Shi." Then Yan Da gathered all her courage and straightened up. She took his face between her hands, and approached his lips centimeter by centimeter. She felt herself getting nervous. Would he back away? But that was not the case. Yan Da felt his strong arms slip around her waist, bridging the last distance between them. His lips searched for hers almost hungrily, meeting the soft warmth he had missed so much.
Soon, he pulled her onto his lap, and covered her face with kisses. Yan Da sighed. It felt so natural, so liberating, to kiss Ying Kong Shi. Yan Da felt that he drew her even closer and deepened his kisses. "Yes", Yan Da whispered through his lips. It took a few seconds before that little word sank into Ying Kong Shi's distracted mind. Then, he suddenly raised his eyebrows, and drew his head back. Ying Kong Shi searched for certainty in her eyes, as he grabbed her shoulders. "You mean ...? You agree to marry me?" Yan Da nodded. A happy smile spread over his face, soon mixed with confusion. "But didn't we agree to take small steps? I thought you wanted to spend more time with me, to find out if what we felt in the past is still there…"
Yan Da still nodded, than shook her head under a smile. "You silly boy!" She put his face between her hands. "I made my mind up long ago, that, if I ever had the chance, I would consent to a marriage with you. But I wanted to make sure this time that you really care for me, that this life is not dominated by promises and rules and schemes of others. An afternoon like this, don't you think it's most precious? I can't believe it, I found, under all your hurt and horror of the past, still a peace of Yun Fei, still a peace of the young Ying Kong Shi, even of the Sword Spirit. I heard your laughter on the ice lake, and I am sure I have only heard it once, when you were a reduced soul living in a sword. Do you know, Ying Kong Shi, that it was my deepest wish, to bring back your carefreeness?" He stared at her, and he swallowed hard. "My carefreeness?" "Yes. It took only one afternoon in our lives, and already I feel that, together, we can bloom, we don't have to hide anything from each other anymore! Finally, I have my first friend back."
A second passed, and then another, until he threw himself forward to hug her hard. He buried his face at his queen's shoulders. Yan Da's words made Ying Kong Shi feel, as if she had set his heart on fire. It hurt! But the sudden pain also melted the shattered pieces, revealing a renewed heart that hadn't been broken by the past. "Yan Da, this is crazy. You really love me, do you? I just realized, that you are so much like me. All along, I wanted to set Ka Suo free, to get my brother back. He was the one who played with me, the one who was also my only friend, until you found me. Thank you, Yan Da, for loving me. Thank you, for forgiving me! Thank you, for still being there. I was so lonely! I was so lonely…" Tears welled up in his eyes, and he gasped shakily. He felt Yan Da's arms embrace him equally strong. He couldn't stop the tears now. It was the first time he cried for his brother, for his loss, for his pain. But he also cried out of happiness, of gratitude, that fate had granted him her, the partner that related to him like a mirror of his emotions, who understood him to his core. Their eyes met, another flash of feelings, and then they magnetically kissed, rough, full of desire. He fell back, and drew her down with him. He rolled over her, and kissed her neck, his hands searching her skin feverishly. "Ying Kong Shi, look up into the sky." Confused, he stopped. The moon at the early evening sky was pale against the darkening blue. It had just begun its ascending, but it nevertheless was obvious that it was round and full. "Yan Da, I know from Huang Tuo, about your… moon flow." "I know, I recognized you checking the moon when you and I were … close." He smiled, noticing the shyness with which she verbally circumnavigated the past intimacies between them.
Encouraged, he looked into her eyes. "How about marrying me soon?" He whispered with a low voice. "In two weeks, I will have my coronation. Shouldn't it be yours, too? Considering the post-war conditions of the tribes, we shouldn't waste resources on two big celebrations, what do you think? Would not one big one be enough - a marriage and a crowning of two people, the ultimate seal of peace?" Yan Da looked at him carefully, and smiled mischievously. "Your words are well chosen and full of wisdom, Ying Kong Shi. But can it be that you just put forward these good reasons so that you soon can be close to me without having to pay attention to the moon phases?" He smiled sweetly at her, and approached Yan Da's mouth to breathe a gentle kiss on her lips. "I promised you to hold nothing back, to be there for you, to not withdraw from you, to make you my only wife. Shouldn't it be in your interest that I can fully keep to my promise?" His two-colored gaze made her blood rush to the head. With glowing cheeks, she wriggled herself out under him. Then she turned around, took his arm, and, before he could protest, her fist formed a ball of fire that she threw in the evening sky. Her face still red from her embarassement, Yan Da pulled Ying Kong Shi up with her through the portal that formed above them, revealing the clear evening sky of the Fire Kingdom.