Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon

and embroidering. It was humbly furnished with rough wooden furniture, but Silver Phoenix moved through the chamber like an empress. “Please sit. I had just called for a light meal for my mistress, which she refused.” She waved an elegant hand toward a lacquered tray on the small round table.
    “Aren’t you hungry?” he asked as he seated himself on a stool.
    “I’ve already eaten.”
    He plucked stewed beef and carrots from a small dish and scooped the cold rice porridge into his mouth with wooden eating sticks. His hands shook slightly. Silver Phoenix poured them both hot tea and settled on a stool across from him. “Don’t you eat?”
    He laughed. “Working with Yokan can be intense. I find I often forget…or don’t have an appetite.”
    “What are you working on?”
    Zhong Ye took another bite before answering. “I’m helping him translate ancient text. His knowledge of Xian is not strong.”
    Silver Phoenix took a sip of tea and regarded him. “Is he a good man?”
    “He’s a superb scholar and alchemist.”
    “That’s not what I meant.” She began unpinning her hair, the braids unwinding until they touched her shoulders.
    His heart leaped into his mouth. He cleared his throat before speaking. “That’s my judgment. He’s intelligent and ambitious.”
    “I see.” She started to unravel the loose braids with slender fingers.
    He put down his eating sticks. “Please stop.” He gestured at her hair, and her eyes widened.
    “Oh. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable. But I thought my being a handmaid and a song girl before that and you, you’re—” The color that stained her cheeks made her look even lovelier.
    He felt the heat in his own face as he shoved back from the table and stood. “What exactly did you need to speak with me about?” His tone was morning frost.
    Silver Phoenix dropped her hands into her lap. “It’s my mistress. She’s with child again.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    A i Ling’s eyes flew open. Chen Yong leaned over her, gripping her shoulders. “You were shouting in your sleep,” he murmured.
    Her next breath hitched into a sob.
    “What was it?”
    “It was…just a dream,” she said.
    “A nightmare?”
    She turned her face to the wall. “I—I can’t remember.” It was true. But she had a lingering feeling of being violated. Trapped.
    “You’ve slept for two days. I think you should eat something and go up on deck for fresh air.”
    Ai Ling felt the gentle sway of the ship, a comfortnow, a constant. She let herself be pulled to her unsteady feet.
     
    Only Peng and the cook were in the galley. The captain stood when she entered. “I was beginning to worry.” He gestured for Lao Lu to bring food and tea. “But Chen Yong reassured me that sometimes you have these long sleeping spells?”
    She gave a weak nod and settled onto a stool. Lao Lu placed a tea-stewed egg in front of her, with rice and pickles. She was starving.
    “Your older brother looks after you well,” Peng said.
    She ducked her head and scooped more rice into her mouth with the eating sticks.
    “You missed a great celebratory dinner. But Lao Lu insisted on keeping some chicken meat and broth for you.”
    She turned to the cook, who was busy chopping carrots and mushrooms behind them. “I’m grateful,” she said.
    Lao Lu grunted.
    “We have a supply of medicines on board. Lao Lu is actually well trained in diagnosing ailments,” Peng said. She noticed that his hair had grown a little longer in these past weeks, and it just touched the tops ofhis ears. “Would you like to consult with him?”
    “No. But thank you,” she replied. “I was just tired and a little seasick.”
    Peng nodded. “Come to my quarters when you’re finished. I have something for you.” He rose from the table and gathered his papers and books, bowing slightly before he exited. “And bring your dagger.”
     
    Ai Ling knocked, and Peng opened the door almost immediately. “Ah, good.” He waved a hand for her to