AT THE SAME TIME
MEI SHEN'S POINT OF VIEW:
The sound of voices reached me first, soft, low murmurs like water trickling over stones. I could make out Huan's excited little giggle, Lianwei's deeper rumble, and… a woman's voice. My eyes fluttered open, heavy and burning, and I found myself staring at the dim glow of firelight dancing across wooden beams.
"Don't be scary to Mommy." Huan said.
My stomach twisted. Empress. She was here. I turned my head slightly, wincing at the ache in my neck. There she was, regal even in simple traveling clothes, her sharp eyes fixed on Huan with something I couldn't read. No disdain. No judgment. Just… thoughtfulness. Lianwei was seated beside the bed, Huan curled in his lap like a little barnacle, his storm-green eyes glittering with curiosity. My chest tightened painfully seeing the three of them together. I tried to speak, but my throat caught. A small, strangled sound escaped instead. Lianwei's head snapped toward me.
