Spoil of War Chapter 9: Brief Respites
I would like to thank xCrazyKindOvWeirdx for again keeping me on track. Without her Eriol would have made a guest appearance in the breakfast scene by mistake LOL! (hugs) Thank you so much!
Chapter 10 previews right before the review responses, immediately after my notes.
Please don't forget to drop a review? Thank you, and see, I PM'd my responses this time!
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Syaoran was stunned into silence when Sakura and his mother arrived at the temple where he and Sakura were to be married. Clad in a traditional red silk gown, with a white veil covering her, Sakura looked like a delicate little cherry blossom on his mother's arm. When she arrived by his side, Syaoran could not resist whispering, "You are the most beautiful thing in my life."
"And you in mine," Sakura murmured shyly. The green silk tunic and black trousers outlined Syaoran's lean muscles perfectly, and before she could catch herself, she imagined undoing the little love knot buttons, caressing his chest under his clothing, kissing him . . . tasting his skin, feeling his warmth on her body . . . the slow pressure of his body on hers as he entered her. . .
No! Sakura shook her head; now was not the time! But she blushed hard, and Syaoran grinned at her, knowing exactly what was on her mind.
"Later, my love," he whispered. "I promise."
Sakura smiled back, radiantly happy. Her heart soared; how could she not want to be married to Syaoran?
The ceremony was a blur for them both; neither could take their eyes off the other, and as they exchanged the three ritual kisses to seal their marriage, Syaoran let each last longer than the last, and Sakura eagerly kissed him back, happy as she felt her emotions swell. Last night had taught her that she needed him, that she wanted to protect him as best she could and stay by his side and never leave him.
Syaoran felt exactly the same as he looked at her. He wanted to bring peace to Hong Kong, to end the wars so that they could spend time together, like young lovers, carefree and delighting in each other's presence. He wanted to make love to her slowly, each exploring the other, discovering secrets with their fingers and bodies and tongues. Though Syaoran had at first been afraid of his passion for Sakura, now he had accepted that he would love her all his life—and the thought made him very happy.
Little did they know that their fledgling love would be sorely tested very soon. But they knew none of this as the ceremony progressed. They exchanged red-dyed eggs for fertility, sifted golden coins for prosperity, and tied a lover's knot together for lasting love . . . and exchanged more kisses to the catcalls and whistles of Syaoran's sisters, who ignored the sour looks some of the more conservative Li elders were giving them. Neither did they notice the absence of Lao Hu.
In the palanquin that bore them back to the castle, Syaoran gently caressed Sakura's face.
"You will not regret this," he said tenderly.
"I don't think I will," she smiled. Syaoran gathered her into his arms, kissing the top of her head as they rested against the rear wall of the palanquin. He raised his right hand, where a gold ring with jade inlays signified his new status as a married man.
"Do you know, I never thought I would like this on my hand," he said. "But I do."
Sakura smiled. "As I," and she raised her left hand, where a slimmer but similar ring encircled her ring finger. Both rings had been quickly and magically forged by Eriol, and unknown to them, they carried a spell that allowed them to know when the other was in danger. Syaoran caught her hand in his own; the two bands gleamed against each other, and he kissed each finger.
She caught his chin in her other hand and looked into his eyes. They had an open, honest loving expression in them, and Sakura smiled softly as she raised herself to kiss him. She would never tire of the soft yet firm pressure of his lips on hers.
"We've sent a message to your father," Syaoran said after a while. "I want no legal impediments. I introduced myself and asked him for a scroll that signifies permission for you to marry."
"My otou-san won't reject this marriage," Sakura said confidently. "He's always trusted my judgment, and I . . . I have no regrets about marrying you," she said, then she kissed him again. Syaoran responded gently, and each kiss was tender and sweet.
"I'm happy to hear that," he said softly. He leaned against the rear wall of the palanquin and rested her against his chest; Sakura almost giggled when she remembered the first time he'd done that. She took his hands and wrapped them around her waist as she leaned back against him, loving his scent, his nearness, his gentleness with her.
"I love you," he whispered in her ear as he playfully nibbled at it.
He was amused when she yawned in an attempt to answer.
"All you have to do is get through the ceremonial breakfast," Syaoran said. "And think of this: Lao Hu can no longer hurt or touch you." And serves that bastard right, he thought.
"I'd love to see his face when he finds out," Sakura's tone was hard.
"So would I, my lady," Syaoran grinned. "But now, don't change our discussion. You need rest, and I insist that you get it immediately as the ceremony ends."
"Mmmfh-kay," Sakura stifled another yawn.
"You have freedom of the palace now," Syaoran said as the palanquin neared the palace. "I wish I could be there all day to protect you. Or perhaps I could ask you not to leave our quarters?"
Sakura turned to face him. "I can protect myself," she said. "Fear of Lao Hu only increases my weakness against him. I know he is a snake, and I am on my guard. I carry the dagger you gave me, and I know how to use it . . . and more importantly, I will not hesitate to use it if he threatens me or you. But I can do a better job if you teach me your magic and how you fight. Teach me, please, Syaoran!"
Syaoran almost laughed. "Are you sure? Wouldn't you be laughed at for doing so?" But he was proud of her, so proud that she refused to be a helpless, defenseless decorative wife despite having primarily married him out of a sense of duty.
"I'm not your everyday girl," Sakura insisted.
"Woman," Syaoran grinned, and kissed her again. "Then we shall start tomorrow morning. I shall be the best teacher you have."
"Why not tonight?" Sakura asked curiously.
Her response was a passionate kiss; when he broke it off, Syaoran whispered, "And what do you think we shall be doing tonight? We'll make love, my cherry. That's why you need to rest this afternoon. I intend to make you scream my name over and over tonight. 'Oh Syaoran, please, I can't take it anymore, you make me want to come'," he said in a passable imitation of Sakura's voice.
Sakura blushed, but giggled. "Oh is that so? Then I shall do my best to do the same to you."
"I like your threat, my lady Li," Syaoran laughed as he embraced her, showering her face with little kisses. It was only when a discreet cough sounded from outside the palanquin that they realized they had stopped moving.
"Ah." Syaoran chuckled and alighted, then he turned to take Sakura in his arms. It was time to carry her over the threshold of the Li castle, and much laughter and catcalling attended the ceremony. Sakura giggled in his arms as he kissed her, drawing more laughs from the others.
"Save it for the bedchamber," Fanren yelled.
"No, no, keep going. That way Mama will get her grandchildren quick!" Feimei said. Even Yelan Li smiled at that one.
Sakura and Syaoran laughed; Sakura raised a hand to push back the hair that had fallen into Syaoran's eyes. He smiled when she did so, and she was struck by how beautiful he was, especially with the tender expression he reserved only for her. He touched her chin with a finger, stroking it gently.
"You don't mind the dirty jokes, my love?"
"Not at all," she grinned. Then Sakura stiffened; a haze had dropped over her vision, strangely dreamlike. Again she saw the beautiful woman from her previous dream, carrying a child as she reached out to Syaoran, who turned his back on her. The woman began to cry in misery, calling Syaoran's name in desperation. The man with the oni mask reappeared, except now he had Syaoran's face in another hand and was using it as another mask. His eyes were black, fathomless evil black, and Sakura gasped. When it faded, she caught herself on Syaoran's arm; only he noticed her hesitation.
"Are you all right?" he asked quickly.
"Something is wrong," she whispered urgently to Syaoran.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I . . . I don't know . . ." She tried to concentrate; it was like some kind of barrier had been lifted in her mind, one she hadn't noticed was there. There was much agony and pain . . . and to her surprise, Sakura could feel . . . love?
"Someone's coming," she said.
Syaoran turned to alert his head retainer Wang. His mother, alert, came closer.
"You felt it?" she asked Sakura.
"How did you know?" Sakura gasped.
"Because Fei Mei just had a bad premonition as well." Fei Mei was Syaoran's sister who could see the future if something truly bad was about to happen, and she and Sakura exchanged glances.
Sakura quickly described what she had seen, and Syaoran and Yelan looked at each other.
"A child, of some kind," Sakura finished. "Pain. I can't see clearly because I . . ." She suddenly blushed.
Yelan almost smiled. "Let's just say there wasn't enough time for sleep last night," she said gently.
Syaoran kissed Sakura's forehead and held her protectively. "Perhaps you should rest now," he said quietly.
"Yes," Sakura said, a determined look on her face. "I want to find out what this is, and why there is pain and sadness and love and a child. It doesn't make sense in my waking hours. Maybe if I sleep . . ."
Just then a lone horseman arrived at the gates; it was Eriol's chief retainer Pao. He nodded upon seeing the wedding party, then bowed before Yelan, Syaoran, and Sakura. Upon seeing that Sakura was now wearing the wedding veil on her shoulders, meaning the wedding ceremony was over, he approached them.
"May I seek an emergency private audience, Your Majesties," he said in a low but urgent tone. Yelan nodded, and told her eldest daughter and heir Fanren to guide the wedding party indoors and to begin the ceremony of introducing Sakura to the family. Then she cast a spell that allowed them to speak in private.
"Your Highnesses," he said. "There has been an incident at the servant village to the east. I apologize for intruding upon the celebration, but there have been more murders. And these were carried out with black magic. Lord Hiiragizawa is there, trying to find out what he can."
Syaoran gripped his sword; Yelan closed her eyes in frustration. Sakura gasped. How could she not have seen this coming?
"I shall take care of the ceremonial breakfast. You need to have a look at this," she told her son.
Nodding, Syaoran only paused to tell Sakura he was leaving; he kissed her then removed his ceremonial robes, under which were his everyday clothes. He and his small band of warriors rode out to where Eriol was, determined to find out what was going on.
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Lao Hu nearly killed the servant who had innocently informed him that he was invited to the ceremonial breakfast introducing Sakura to the family as Syaoran's wife.
"When did this take place?" he hissed as he held the servant by the throat.
"E-earlier, m-master," the servant choked out.
"Why wasn't I informed?" Lao Hu roared.
"We-we couldn't f-find you, m-master!"
Had Lao Hu been a normal person, he would have realized that the servant was right. Instead he threw the poor man halfway across his chambers, and yelled, "Incompetents!"
He dressed hurriedly. At least Sakura did not have the time to make love to Syaoran yet, and if he managed to rile her enough right before the deceived and pregnant Princess Mei-Hua appeared, then she would be ripe for the taking.
At the banquet hall, Lao Hu proceeded with his plan: to begin with rudeness then end with an appeal to the emotions. As he walked in, he held his breath; Sakura was the epitome of beauty and innocence, sitting at the right hand of the head of the table. But Syaoran's place next to her was empty. That made Lao Hu smile.
"I hear I missed your wedding ceremony," he said as he bowed mockingly to Sakura.
"That's all right," she replied serenely. "Those who mattered were there."
Lao Hu raised a brow. Insolent little chit! She forgets that her marriage to Syaoran can still be challenged!
"So you settled for the inferior Li," Lao Hu smirked as he took his seat diagonally opposite her. "I feel sorry for your loss at marrying the worthless Li male."
"I don't recall marrying you, did I?" was Sakura's innocent, wide-eyed response. Syaoran's three remaining sisters tittered; Sakura was deftly handled Lao Hu's taunting, and they could tell that he was getting annoyed because she was not wilting and crying the way an ordinary noblewoman would have.
"You're quite brave for a woman without a man to defend herself," Lao Hu sneered. "Remember your new husband is off inspecting village that was attacked this morning.
"Yes, as I can do the job on my own." Sakura sent a poisonously sweet smile at him. "In my home, I fought ruffians in the market. I learned the way to defend myself. I do not need Syaoran to protect me. What I need him to do . . . is love me."
Yelan hid a large smile behind a cup of tea; Fanren let out a laugh which she quickly stifled.
Casting caution to the wind, Lao Hu fired, "And to bed you, as well, I suppose? Syaoran is not known among the women he's bedded for his prowess. You would have done better to choose a man who is better skilled in bed. I hear from the women he's bedded—and there have been many," with this he cast a salacious grin at Sakura, "that he can't please women. Do you want someone like that for your first time?"
Sakura smiled to herself; he had to be kidding, right? Her knees still felt unsteady after such passionate lovemaking with Syaoran the night before. "So it is true that you bed Syaoran's leftovers? I was hoping my honorable cousin in law was the victim of mere rumor. You have my sympathies."
She watched as his jaw dropped. That stupid man has no idea how well Tomoyo-chan and Lady Mizuki have taught me, she thought.
Lao Hu rose, intending to smack Sakura; she stayed calmly in her seat, but placed one hand on the dagger Syaoran had given her.
"You ought to learn your place, girl," Lao Hu snarled. "All you are good for is fucking and impregnating."
The women at the table and the serving maids gasped at the insult, and Syaoran's sister Shiefa, normally a quiet woman, growled, "Watch your filthy mouth."
"I already know where my place is," Sakura said, "and being Syaoran's wife compels me to answer you insult for insult. I could do no less, given what and who he is."
Princess Tomoyo almost applauded and Eriol, amused, stifled a laugh by pretending it was a cough; Queen Yelan caught her eye and with a subtle signal, Tomoyo asked permission to step in. A tiny nod and an amused glance was her response.
"Why Sakura-chan," Tomoyo began in her sweet soprano voice, "I must congratulate you, despite the speed at which you chose your groom."
"Women do not choose their grooms," a Li elder interrupted. "They stay where they are and wait to be chosen."
"Really? Then I am ever so glad that our kingdom is progressive," Tomoyo smiled, an even worse version of the sickeningly sweet smile Sakura had used earlier on Lao Hu. "Because," and she turned to Queen Yelan, "my Queen, I wish to ask for your nephew's hand in marriage. We in Tomoeda are in need of a strong Prince as my consort, one who will support me when I become queen. And Eriol has already agreed. All we need is your blessing."
Lao Hu lost his temper and flung a piece of china at the wall. "This cannot be!"
"And why not?" Yelan eyed him coldly. "Don't tell me that this time you desire the Princess Tomoyo as you've failed to secure Sakura-chan." Her voice was sarcastic.
Calming himself quickly, Lao Hu bowed to all assembled. "I apologize. I merely felt offended because Eriol is my younger brother, even if by a different woman, and I feel I should have been asked first."
Perfect comeback, Tomoyo thought in annoyance. He'd placed them all on the spot with that declaration, and she marshaled her charm to say, "Then my apologies, Li-san. As the one of higher rank, I asked your brother to marry me and become the crown Prince of Tomoeda. I meant no disrespect, and I beg your indulgence. What will it take to earn your forgiveness?"
Forced by Tomoyo's deft maneuvering into a verbal corner, Lao Hu had to back down. He accepted Tomoyo's apology, muttering, "It is no matter of consequence." Desperate to retaliate, he began a new line of conversation.
"My Queen, I hear there was an attack on our servants this morning. A terrible tragedy." He cast his eyes downward.
Yelan almost snorted. "Syaoran and Eriol are there to find out what they can."
"I wonder though . . . why did you not tell us of the attack?" He turned his eyes on Sakura. "Did you see nothing in your dreams, dreamseer?"
Sakura wavered; he'd struck a sore point, but she decided on a bold statement. "Syaoran and I decided that we would marry ourselves last night," she said, and she watched Lao Hu's face carefully.
She was satisfied when he paled. "You what?"
"Syaoran took my maidenhood last night," Sakura said, as the other Li elders began whispering. "We felt it was . . . necessary."
"Oh so that's what those gasps and moans were about," Fei Mei said, her eyes viciously satisfied as she glanced at Lao Hu's white face. "Goodness, my brother must be an animal in bed." She and her other sisters laughed.
"Syaoran lied!" Another elder rose from his seat. "He said he'd claimed her when he first presented her at court!"
"Now how is that a problem?" Yao Li, one of the youngest elders, said. "Better that Lady Sakura be carrying a Li heir from Syaoran as soon as possible. Isn't that what we agreed upon?"
Yelan smoothly stepped in. "Now, we ought not to discuss their marital relations while our elders are here. Some might not approve," she said, baiting for a response.
Which she got; the only female elder, Bao Kung, hid a smile behind her fan. "A child from the dreamseer and the only son of the Lis would be a blessing," she said softly, but with emphasis on 'dreamseer' and 'only son of the Lis.' No one missed the inflection.
"You sacrificed the chance to help the Lis for physical pleasure?" Lao Hu asked sarcastically.
"I thought you said Syaoran was incompetent in bed?" Sakura raised a brow. "Anyway, I did not. Do you think my existence is defined by my abilities alone?" she shot back. "I chose to be with my husband last night. I regret the attack, yes . . ."
"Just as you regret not being able to warn us in time to catch Fuutie's killer?" he demanded.
Sakura's jaw dropped. Lao Hu realized the time had come to slowly create his false persona, and he let his expression soften. "Syaoran went through all this trouble to bring you here and you . . . You haven't helped at all, and you've only persecuted me!"
"What?"
"Silence, Lao Hu," Yelan's voice rang with command.
"I'm sorry," Sakura whispered. "Please forgive me for not seeing what would happen . . ." she turned to Yelan.
"Do not blame yourself," Yelan said as she sent a scathing look at Lao Hu.
"And why not?" Elder Ko, a tall thin and unpleasant man, asked. "That's what you're here for. We brought you here to see in dreams, girl, and to mate with Syaoran. You ought to beg our forgiveness for being of no use whatsoever to us."
Angered by the unreasonable comment, Sakura was about to retort when suddenly, to everyone's shock, a tear crept down Lao Hu's cheek. "No, it is I who needs to beg forgiveness and indulgence," he said softly.
He turned to face Sakura but made no move to come near her. "I have been out of control when it comes to you. Forgive me for trying to get your attention with my crude comments and rudeness. It's just . . . So many things, I have lost to Syaoran in the past. I saw in you the woman of my dreams, and I . . ." His voice was choked with emotion.
His acting was superb. Silence reigned in the dining hall, and everyone watched to see his next move. Yelan, though, flashed a warning look to her daughters and to Sakura.
Then Lao Hu did the unthinkable, in public: he prostrated himself across Sakura and said, "You know my feelings for you may be tainted with jealousy, but I commend myself to your service without reward."
It was a chivalric move, and one so unexpected of him. He straightened up, looking ashamed, and turned to Yelan. "My aunt, forgive me for shaming myself and all of you at this event. I take my leave now."
Without a backwards glance at anyone he left the hall. A few seconds of silence were soon shattered by excited chattering and murmurs of admiration for him.
Sakura sat frozen in her seat. She thought she had heard real pain in his voice, and from her own brother she knew how people could be irrational when they loved someone.
Should she pity Lao Hu, after all?
But she settled down after glancing at Tomoyo, who signaled her to keep eating.
Now that she was paying attention to her food though, something about it bothered her. There was an odd metallic taste to it, fleeting but detectable. No one else was worried, though, and several others at the table were eating with gusto. Not wishing to be rude to her hosts, she continued eating. With her eyes she signaled to Tomoyo that she wished to talk, and later, the two young women would walk into the gardens and do so.
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The young princess Mei Hua had met her perfect lover in her dreams.
Or so she thought they were her dreams. She had no way of realizing that time had been warped around her; he had only begun coming to her a few days ago, but it felt like they had been together for months. Having no magic herself, she had no idea that it had been used on her.
In a bedroom upstairs, they had made love the night before—though she thought they had been lovers for a month; he told her he used magic to come to her at night, and she could not believe that he accepted her despite her lowered status.
She was quite lovely, with large black eyes, long curling black hair, rosy cheeks and lips, and a small but curvaceous body. Had she been given the chance, she could have attracted any number of princes, but her imprisonment had made it impossible.
Now she tiptoed to kiss her lover's lips, looking into his amber eyes, hardly able to contain her feelings for him. He was sweet and gentle, and he'd come into her life like a miracle; some time ago he'd begun appearing in her dreams, and they had fallen in love. Princess Lin loved everything about him: his beautiful black eyes, his gentle voice, his tall, well-built body.
"Syaoran," she said shyly, "I hope you return soon." She turned shining eyes full of love on him.
"I will, my love," the dark-haired male said gently, in Syaoran Li's voice. "Only death and war can keep me away from you."
She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed herself affectionately to his chest; her long silky black hair fell over her shoulders and he reached to move it out of her face.
"I worry about the war which you say is coming," she said. "If I could keep you here and protect you . . . oh Syaoran, I love you so much. I . . ." and her voice caught with emotion, "I've never really been loved in my life, and I couldn't bear to lose you . . . I will try to my best abilities to protect you!"
"Don't. I'm a capable general," he said as he caressed her cheek. "I am sorry I can meet you only in our dreams at night, but if I stop arriving, come to the Li stronghold and look for me through my head assistant or my cousin Eriol, our chief sorcerer." He placed a black ball that hung off a red tassel in her hand. "This is proof of who I am and who you are to me; that is the hereditary Li sword."
The princess realized it was a sacred family heirloom, one imbued with magical power. "But why are you giving this to me?"
"Don't you know?" He smiled and took her hand in his. "I wish to marry you."
She gasped. "I . . ." It was a dream come true! "M-me? You wish to marry me?"
He barely stopped himself from smirking; it was worth the danger of sending his dark angel to steal Syaoran's sword and leaving a substitute to see how completely blindsided, how fooled this woman was.
"Do you realize," he said as he kissed her tenderly, "that you already carry my child? Of course I shall marry you."
Her hand flew to her still-flat belly. "How do you . . ."
"I know magic, remember? And I feel it in you, the new life growing there." He kneeled to kiss her stomach through her sleeping gown. "You must undertake the journey to me soon; that way we can marry and that child will grow up in a loving home. Our home," he said.
"I shall . . . but how?"
He gave her a tiny key that glowed in the darkness. "Horses and a cart await you in your stables. Wear a cloak to hide yourself. I cast a blessing upon you, so you shall be safe on the road. This key will open any door—even those gates which have been barred to you since you came here. You do not deserve to be trapped here, my lovely one. Fly to me in the morning, before they discover you are gone."
Her eyes sparkled with happiness and love. "Thank you, Syaoran."
"Fly to me, beautiful one. Do not take too long." With one last hug and kiss, he vanished.
Princess Lin hugged herself, smiling, almost tearful with joy. Who knew that a story such as hers could still have a happy ending? As the firstborn Chiang royal of her generation, her parents were shattered to see that she was female, and had raised her strictly, without love; they had showered their love on the brother who had arrived ten years after her birth, and she had known a lonely childhood, her only company being nursemaids and servants who were all punished if they showed warmth or familiarity towards her.
Then, when she was sixteen, she had been promised to a general twenty years her senior whose support they needed for her brother. Upon meeting the man, she was horrified to find that he was greedy and uncaring, raking eyes over her lasciviously and licking his lips in anticipation of "doing a royal." She had refused; her family had imprisoned her in this keep, with servants delivering food and supplies. Princess Lin had lived alone for the past two years, tending her tiny garden and desperately trying to find a way out.
Now her lover was Syaoran Li, only son of the powerful Lis in central Hong Kong, and she knew he was a great man. And she would bear his child. She hugged herself and almost cried from happiness. Perhaps now her family would forgive her and welcome her back in their ranks, once she was his bride.
She turned and began to pack lightly: bread, cheese, water, some clothing. She would come to him as soon as she could. The memory of his passionate, wild black eyes sustained her.
The man, though, summoned his black tiger guardian to him on the roof of the keep. As he removed his disguise as Syaoran Li, he gloated, I've used my knowledge of Syaoran to convince her that I am him . . . and I used that stupid dream story of his on her. Now Princess Lin carries my child, and honor won't let him rest until he finds out the truth—and in the meantime he will see to her comfort. And Sakura . . . Sakura will never trust him again.
End of Chapter 9
To be continued in Chapter 10
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Previews of Chapter 10:
"Where did you get this?" Eriol's voice was tight and tense.
"I . . ." Princess Mei Hua drew back a bit, hugging her belly protectively. "Syaoran gave it to me . . ."
"This was stolen from him a few days ago," Eriol said quietly, and the Princess looked like she'd been slapped.
"But . . . But he gave it to me . . . I . . . Just two nights ago . . ." She was beginning to look afraid, and Eriol put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"I apologize. Put your mind at ease. I realize someone gave this to you. But it couldn't have been Syaoran, because he's been here all this time . . . and we can attest to it." And two nights ago, he consummated his marriage to Sakura, Eriol added in his mind.
The Princess put a hand to her mouth. "Please, believe me! He asked me to come here. I will submit to any test you ask of me!" she pleased.
And now . . . If this Princess was who he thought she was, the Li kingdom was in even greater danger than before.
Preview 2:
"We were in a bit of a rush last night," Syaoran whispered as he held Sakura close. He pushed her against the wall and began to kiss her slowly, tantalizingly. "Now we can have our second wedding night." His hard body against hers made Sakura almost swoon with happiness.
"Lao Hu says . . . ohh . . . that you . . . you're lousy in b-bed . . ." Sakura managed to gasp out as Syaoran began to tease and lick at her in ways that drove her crazy.
"Really?" Syaoran smiled as he continued to kiss her. Now his tongue fluttered out between kisses to lick at her lips as his fingers slid into her robe. "Would you like me to stop . . . or to prove him wrong?"