“Master Yaoxian.”
“Ho there! It’s Lin’er come to visit.”
After leaving Ji Youyou in the Demon-Binding Tower Xie Lin went straight to the Hall of the Medicine Immortal. His only thought was to make Yu Xuanhe desire him.
The hall was tended by Xulingzi an immortal who had once been a thousand-year ginseng fruit blessed with spiritual energy. In human form he was a funny little figure short as a potato with a full white beard and a round bald head—kindly despite his appearance. When he heard Xie Lin’s voice he dropped his weighing scales and hurried out to greet him.
Xulingzi had healed Xie Lin after his rescue as a child and over the years Xie Lin had visited often. Xulingzi thought of him as half-disciple half-son. Though ginseng immortals did not share human passions they did have their own families and Xulingzi took joy in the feeling of being a father to Xie Lin.
“Grandfather.” Xie Lin spoke warmly taking Xulingzi’s arm and helping him to a reclining chair. In one smooth motion he knelt and began massaging the old man’s legs. He had a gift for showing filial piety and Xulingzi loved it—it let him experience the joy of being a human father.
Xulingzi settled back comfortably his eyes closing in pleasure. “Lin’er what brings you here today?”
“Grandfather you make it sound like I only visit when I have to. Seeing you is reason enough.”
“Hehe old age makes me foolish.”
Xie Lin looked up sweetly. “Grandfather there is something I need to ask you… something I know is not right to trouble you with.”
Xulingzi played along pretending to be cross. “I knew it! You never come empty-handed.”
“Grandfather you love me. You wouldn’t let me suffer.” Xie Lin laid his head in Xulingzi’s lap like a child.
Xulingzi stroked his beard. “All right all right no more teasing. Speak.”
Xie Lin told him the truth. “Grandfather you know Xuanhe and I cannot be together as husband and wife. The Crane Immortals are faithful to the core—their men desire only the one they first give themselves to. Is there any way to change this?”
Xulingzi shook his head. “I am but an earth immortal no more powerful than a local god. I know a little about making pills but I cannot alter the body of a heavenly immortal. Xuanhe was born divine.”
Xie Lin’s eyes grew cold as a bottomless abyss. When he heard there was no hope he threw a tantrum letting his frustration pour out. “Why? I don’t care! I don’t care! Grandfather you have to help me. If I have to live as a widow in my own marriage you might as well kill me now.”
Xulingzi hated seeing him this way and hurried to soothe him. “Calm down my dear Lin’er! I’ll think again! I’ll find a way!”
Xie Lin sat up at once his tantrum vanishing. “Thank you grandfather! I knew you would find a way.”
Xulingzi pointed a scolding finger at him. “What a handful you are! Very well—give me a few days. I have no answer now but I will find one for you.”
“Thank you thank you!”
“Xuanhe.”
Xie Lin’s voice was intimate and warm. Night had fallen and moonlight streamed into Yu Xuanhe’s palace. He was naked his skin whiter than a woman’s his features and figure so delicate he seemed neither fully man nor woman. His long black hair flowed like a waterfall over his porcelain body and the pale blue moonlight lent him an air of mystery and allure.
In contrast Yu Xuanhe sat fully dressed at his desk as pure and untouchable as ice. He was reading when Xie Lin spoke and gave a soft “Hmm” in reply.
Xie Lin’s heart leaped. He had not given up hope of being with Yu Xuanhe tonight he would try again. Perhaps by some miracle Yu Xuanhe would desire him at last. He looked like a blushing bride though on a man the sight was strange. Slowly he knelt beneath the desk.
Yu Xuanhe’s brow furrowed. An inexplicable anger rose in him a feeling of disgust. That was not right. He rubbed his temples. Why would he feel disgusted by Xie Lin? They had been betrothed since birth raised together like family. It must be the witch from the evil den the one who had planted a demon in his heart.
At the thought of her he felt a familiar stirring. He was hard again.
The movement struck Xie Lin’s cheek stinging him so much he fell back onto the floor. He touched his face hesitantly. “Xuanhe? Are you… able?”
Yu Xuanhe suppressed his anger his voice cold. “I don’t know.” He stood. “I’m going out to hunt demons. You should sleep.”
Xie Lin’s eyes filled with panic and rage. “Xuanhe? The realm is full of righteous immortals—what demon could be so dangerous you must go now? Do you remember our betrothal? Shall we wed soon?”
“As you wish.” Yu Xuanhe grabbed his clothes from the floor and dressed quickly giving Xie Lin no chance to draw him close. Then he was gone leaving Xie Lin alone in the cold palace.
The chill of the floor seeped into his bones. He knew everything had changed. Even the forgetting draught had not made Yu Xuanhe forget that woman. Grief washed over him. This should have been his husband yet after one year with a stranger Yu Xuanhe had cast him aside completely.
He lay down on the floor his white body curled into a ball his hair covering him like a blanket. Tears streamed down his face. He wept like a scorned wife. “I was first. We loved each other first…”