Solstice Souls Book 2: Black Fire, White Flame

Necessary Reassurances

Wei Ying's POV

The feel of a strong arm wrapped around him grounded Wei Ying as he stumbled out of dreams he knew would haunt his sleep the rest of his life. His head rested comfortably on a broad shoulder, his nose nestled against Lan Zhan's pulse point on his neck. Warm skin and the rich scent of sandalwood tempted him like the finest wine. Snuggling even closer to his jade, Wei Ying nuzzled the sensitive area just below his fiance's ear.

Lan Zhan's body shuddered under his gentle attention. Wei Ying smiled, his lips brushing against his soulmate's neck like downy feathers blowing in the breeze. Now that he was awake, there was no way he could resist the delicacy that was the Second Twin Jade of Gusu.

Wei Ying raised the hand that wasn't pinned between their bodies up to Lan Zhan's face. His rough fingertips ghosted over the well-defined jawline, their path winding playfully along the soft skin. Tiny tremors rippled through his fiance's body as Wei Ying's fingers continued their journey over Lan Zhan's smooth cheeks. No spot was left untouched as he committed to memory every curve, dip, tiny hair, and pore that was his jade's heavenly face.

Lan Zhan's skin glowed under the faint moonlight. His soulmate was unequaled in this world. His back was straight with natural confidence as the horse cantered through the still sleeping outskirts of Nightless City. Sharp golden eyes like those of an eagle searched for danger in every side alley and behind every closed door. Muscular legs gripped the horse's sides, ready to take action if anyone dared to stop them. 

Everything about his Lan Zhan was absolute perfection. Wei Ying felt as if he was being carried by a heavenly warrior, an unstoppable force of nature wanting to protect only him. The hand that had been caressing his love's face fell to the front of Lan Zhan's robes, his fingers disappearing into the rough material as he held onto his jade tighter. A dull ache pressed against Wei Ying's chest. The deep and eternal emotions he felt for this one man flared to life and were more than his heart could hold.

This man holding him had more love to give in the tip of his pinky finger than most people had in their whole body. And he gave it all to Wei Ying. Without expecting anything in return. Lan Zhan's love was like the sun's rays and the moon's light. It was as pure as the water of the mountain streams in Gusu and as warm as the summer air in Yiling. It was always there when Wei Ying needed it, when he depended on it.

Wei Ying felt the hot tears building in his eyes and tried to blink them away before Lan Zhan noticed. Unfortunately, one stupid tear escaped and fell right onto Lan Zhan's flushed skin.

"Wei Ying?"

Lan Zhan pulled back on the reins, stopping them suddenly in the middle of the deserted pathway. Slipping his now free arm under Wei Ying's legs, he gracefully jumped off the horse with Wei Ying still in his arms and landed on the ground with steady legs.

"I'm fine, Lan Zhan. Really."

"Wei Ying is crying. Wei Ying is not alright."

"I promise they're happy tears, my love."

Lan Zhan looked at him with uncertainty. As if he was holding a priceless heirloom, he gently placed Wei Ying's feet on the ground. Wei Ying's heart skipped beats as Lan Zhan searched for the truth within his glistening mercurial eyes. His skin tingled when Lan Zhan's golden gaze traveled over his still half naked body looking for any injury he may have missed.

"Lan Zhaaaan! Stop looking at me like that. I'm fine, I swear."

Wei Ying tried to sound convincing but for some reason, his tears refused to stop falling.

Lan Zhan's hands started with Wei Ying's head, tilting it from side to side and turning it back and forth. He ran his hands through Wei Ying's thick hair, his fingertips caressing his dancer's scalp in search of any small cuts or lumps. Wei Ying's eyes closed and his head tipped back. He lost himself to the feel of his beloved's hands tenderly skimming over his sensitive skin.