Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

seemed surprised.
    "When the governor asked you last month you claimed to have not a clue."
    "The governor prefers to pretend that he knows all things. It is easier to amuse him than fight it."
    For the first time since Chien had known him, Bao seemed a bit unsure of himself. "Do you do that with all people then? Humor them in hopes that they will give you a moment's peace?"
    Here was his moment. The moment he could sever this relationship with one easy blow. He did not need Bao's information any more, did he? Not with things so close. But the same part of him that so easily allowed him to do away with his evil aunt and her wicked sons would not allow him to lie to Bao in this moment. "Sometimes. And sometimes I find that the truth slips free beyond my control. It unsettles me."
    There was a long pause while Bao searched his eyes, and Chien could not help but wonder what Bao searched for. At last though, he looked down to the box beneath his fingers. "I brought you a present."
    He handed the box to Chien and Chien accepted it tentatively. "A present? General, you did not have to."
    "Did you behave yourself?"
    "Hardly."
    Bao laughed and Chien found himself smiling as well, "I would hardly expect anything more of you. But since I have already made a purchase of this, you might as well take it."
    Curious now, Chien pulled it close and slowly removed the top of the box. Within the box lay a purple silk robe, soft and luxurious to the touch. A design had been embroidered along the sleeves, the threads catching the lights of the dying sun. Chien ran his fingers along it and he could scarcely feel the embroidery. The sleeves were gold, embroidered with a fine black thread. There were no appropriate words. This was not a gift that Bao could have commissioned in a period of two weeks. Something of this quality would have taken months to make.
    His hand ran once more along the threads and he could feel the tingle along his fingers. There were spells woven within this robe. Ancient spells of protection. When his hands slipped free of the robe he could feel that there was more beneath of it. The black coat with the dark green of the dragon weaved in so subtly that Chien nearly missed it.
    He could not speak. Were there words for something such as this? He owned finer things to be sure, but nothing would ever mean quite as much as the robe in his hands. When he did not say anything for a long while, Bao finally asked, "Do you like it?"
    Like? That was hardly an appropriate word. This was not the gift of a man seeking simply to settle his urges. It was a gift of a man who had seen uncomfortably close behind the mask Chien preferred. When had he slipped this badly? How had Bao seen this much?
    It took a few minutes longer for him to find words. He managed a choked, "Thank you." How long had he wished that he had managed to save one of his mother's robes. These silken robes were not the fashion of the palace. His mother had brought hers with her from Xing and his aunt had burned them all when she had taken the throne.
    "You like them, I'm glad." Bao sounded relieved.
    "They're quite beautiful."
    "Yes well, the Empress will likely not approve of them. But the colors and the style seemed to suit you." Chien made the mistake of looking up into Bao's eyes. This situation had spiraled out of his control. This relationship had gone too far. Too long. The thought of seeing hate in those eyes, filled Chien with fear.
    There had to be a way to end this with everything intact.
    Life is suffering. Chien's fist clenched around the beautiful fabric at the reminder. There would be no happy ending for him, not in this, likely not ever. Because there was no ending in which his aunt died and Bao did not turn on him. No ending where his aunt lived and he could live with himself.
    Better to break this now, protect himself before he fell any further. Yet even as the thought crossed his mind, when Bao leaned toward him, he moved closer until their lips touched. "Thank you." Chien whispered once more against Bao's lips when the kiss broke.
    This would end badly. With either his sword through Bao's heart or Bao's sword through his. Even knowing that, Chien could not stop himself from greedily taking another kiss. Better to enjoy than to regret his control later.
    "I should go. I need to speak with the Empress before the banquet." But Bao did not move immediately, leaning is forehead against Chien's and kissing him once more before pulling back and