Chapter 21

*Her Dragon*
In the VIP seats Bai Shuzhou looked down on the hall, faint unease at her heart—years without this feeling—restless itch—moon sinking.
Her gaze on the stage unfocused—until attendants brought twin-fish jade pendants—brows knit.
Little Fish. Zhu Yu.
Beside her a woman offered a blanket eagerly. “Your Highness, rest—I’ve got this—all guards are mine—foolproof!”
Bai Shuzhou never worried about rabble. Low: “Imperial star side…?”
“Feng Jiyan says all well—that fox should be fine too.”
Yzelia pouted—reluctant to admit—scheming fox Feng Jiyan was her strongest rival.
If not for Zhu Yu crashing in, Bai Shuzhou’s choice would have been between her and Feng.
Feng Jiyan ambitious for prime minister—mother held Royal Academy—emperor wary of Feng clan.
Unlike her family’s royalist loyalty—and Bai Shuzhou—she should fit best.
No matter—Zhu Yu gone—that place would be hers.
Yzelia cheerful—saw Bai Shuzhou’s odd look at the jade—waved high bid to gift her.
Brow deeper—“No.”
Pause—flat at rising mood—“Common same-name antique—how dare twin-fish legend.”
“Right!” Yzelia quick—“How could anyone like inferior junk!”
Bai Shuzhou looked up at her—silent.
Tail flick annoyed.
Backstage—medics and engineers busy.
Captives ≠ merchandise—ugly wounds ruin display—no one buys the dying.
Face wounds light per orders—body gel layered—broken plaster—
Cheap ill-fitting shirt off—unlicensed pirate doctor touched abs—admiring—
D-rank beating elites—arm lines perfect—youth just right.
Young is good!
Doctor sighed: “Too flirtatious—no wonder princess dropped you?”
Zhu Yu wild grass—not noble—arm tan lines—growth marks on thigh—pressed still resilient.
Straps loosened—wiped sweat—gauze on wounds hurts—
Wrist grabbed—doctor wanted to scream—soft heart—killer Zhu Yu—Fractus—what if violent—
But girl held wrist—small—“Sister?”
“Uncomfortable—can…” swallowed greedy ask—“can you hold me?”
Drunk night—vines embraced—cold eyes—warm hands—hot water—guided healing—soft light on skin—
Hold—no pain—near her was best analgesic.
Faint resistance—Zhu Yu curled fingers—let go lost—“Angry? Sorry.”
Hand fell—
No red mole on that wrist.
Zhu Yu’s eyes flew open—not the shack—not Bai Shuzhou.
Right—Bai Shuzhou wouldn’t be here.
Good she wasn’t.
Doctor reached—Zhu Yu slid away cat-fluid—reject on face—hand hung awkward.
Blink—offered handshake.
“Thanks—water please?”
Weird handshake.
Pirate doctor stunned—natural—as if no enmity—just hands—shake.
Rules—no water.
Rules—no handshake either.
Strange.
Fine—one cup—looked around—secret kettle—boots appeared—almost dropped—
Rough hands caught kettle.
Bandaged head—heavy gaze—doctor stood—“Commander Carland—why here.”
“Look—you go.” Voice hoarse—injury from Zhu Yu.
“Yes but—” glance at Zhu Yu—“No more beating—stage soon—hard to fix.”
“Mm.”
After bird escape—Paradis heavily guarded—Carland frowned—kettle to lips.
“Drink.”
Drug working—pheromones leaking—faint—not shack rose—
Carland wrong—warrior Alpha shouldn’t smell so clean—no grudge after this—shielded?
Zhu Yu looked—no hesitation—gulped.
“Not afraid I poisoned?”
Enemies.
“You’re different.”
“How?”
“You’re a warrior—” pause—“warriors don’t hit the weak.”
Lie—just thirsty—must live.
Carland silent—“Once was.”
Kettle higher—easier swallow—“Memory messy—they say I beat you—no. I lost.”
“Why not kill me?” Obsessed in med pod—brain hit—or mad—
She never forgot failure—survived dissociation that way.
Zhu Yu didn’t know what Nan Gong did—Black Hat asked before—roles reversed.
Soft: “Life is precious.”
Carland silent—rock—cracks slow.
“You’re a warrior.” Firm repeat.
“Am I?” Laugh—“Useless—promises failed—excuses—dreams for what I hate.”
Self-deceive happy—small world—
Too many words—traitor therapy? Shero silent defiant—not whining when sad—
“Glad you came to talk.”
Throat speaker—cough—cheap music—less fear—
Alone in danger—old enemy most familiar—
All said empire and Bai Shuzhou abandoned her—twist deepest wound—
Won’t believe cold data stream—Bai Shuzhou never said hate—
Chaos—Carland anchor—after pirates—dinner—Bai Shuzhou’s finger on hand healing—
Face up—“You’re good—message out?”
Carland: “To… your wife?”
First time that title for Bai Shuzhou.
Zhu Yu felt thief—still happy—blood taste sweet—
Hard nod.
Carland: “No.”
Failed—never bargained. Laugh again.
Low: “But I can let you die with dignity.”
“…”
Wait wait not ready—not last words!
“You low Alpha—never dissociation? Fractus isn’t normal aphrodisiac.”
Why everyone say low—D and E are normal!
“Mental chaos—dissociation—void—” Carland pain flash.
Zhu Yu wanted live—even hurt—sun and smoke rise eventually—
Tonight free—Nan Gong sends home—time to talk—
If Bai Shuzhou truly despised—leave was planned from start—
Fever rising—strange heat—
Bai Shuzhou in rut—like this?
Memory—red lips—cold tears—breath escaped—
Ears red—
Forbidden thoughts—
First crush—not just kiss—touch races heart—
—She wanted her.
Scared—hormones—drug—
Livestream stage—whole universe—
Scream Bai Shuzhou’s name?
Shame—desire exposed—worse than pain—
Hero to wanted to captive—
Humiliate empire through her—
If Bai Shuzhou watched—
Don’t let her see this low—
Bit lip—pulled Carland’s sleeve—won’t let go—soft:
“Sis—last favor—”
…
Auction slow—black attendant from top box—Paradis boss deep breath—smiling in—
Yzelia arms crossed—watching—blur masks—still clues—
Someone breaking.
First livestream—big names—mystery finale—
Tamed beastfolk—teacup dogs—won’t grow—
Fold-ear cats—pretty—obedient—
Fierce beasts—collar shock—forced crawl—
Auctioneer—only upper class pets—trained—modified—vague—imagination—
Die as plaything—performance tears enough?
Yzelia grinding claws—memorizing bidders—wait Bai Shuzhou order—heads off—
Bai Shuzhou pre-arranged buys—all pitiful beasts. Yzelia didn’t get why—end then grab—But Bai Shuzhou insisted.
Bought ones get tea—blankets—escort out of hell—
When Yzelia met Bai Shuzhou—Snow Leopard Knights already reclaiming Chaos Sector—abandoned star imperial name—
Yzelia bored—couldn’t swallow this—unlike Bai Shuzhou calm watching—
Wondered where Zhu Yu—dared not ask—hurt princess—
Good ex should vanish—or she’d help.
Yzelia bored claws—Bai Shuzhou’s scent changed—flat to heavy dark—
Held breath—followed gaze—
Damn—Zhu Yu!
Golden pupils shrank.
Missing persons case—why Zhu Yu here—like this!
Bound tight—curled—wet black-white eyes—silver muzzle unnecessary—gentle beast—
What happened?
Bai Shuzhou’s aura sank—killing intent filled room—
Yzelia watched—rare strong emotion—Zhu Yu special—
Slap head—“Don’t worry—I’ll kill her!”
Kill Zhu Yu—simple.
Smart tiger—eye for eye—leg injury—must hate Zhu Yu—
Without palace—how abused princess—
Cheap dirty dress once—
Princess saved dirty dress—cold hate—endure humiliation—
Yzelia expectant—Bai Shuzhou down—ice—“Bid.”
“Yes!” Tiger rubbed hands—too late—
“Huh?”
Raised hand—identity exposed—observers everywhere—
Spotlight—cage shadow left—
Zhu Yu hid shadow—warm animal sedative in cuff—
Remembered first meeting—picked sedative—
Poor heal with pain—sedative substitute for suppressant—
Fractus strong—animal dose should work—
Nan Gong plan—sleep till end—
Small accident—no regret—rare bravery—fear still good—
Birds’ savior eyes—floaty—embarrassed—
Not noble—just rage—white bird scars—Bai Shuzhou’s dream—
Inject sedative—curtain—
Auctioneer zoomed blood-crystal ring—better than lot—proves identity—
Black gloves—force show—
Needle in skin—should push—
Hesitated—
First gift from Bai Shuzhou—only thing kept—
Sleep—helpless—
Always escape—wish nightmare—
Won’t let go—even nightmare—
Parallel lines—miracle—greedy more—
Ring clenched palm—
Weak—not brave—still hold something—
Spotlight—girl burst—sedative into black arm—
Waited—too fast for guards—
Silence—blood spray—two blacks down—
Paradis grave quiet—
Cornered beast—Zhu Yu—
Name in every head—
Zzz—cage current—
Moan—straps tight—lean cage—not fall—
Shirt sweat—flush—faint pheromone—
Pre-rut—no lust—only fear—
Red lips black eyes unfocused—ghost—memorize every face—
Bluff claws—double vision—blinding lights—
Pause—blink hard—
Bai Shuzhou?—
Flash—blur faces round flat—
Guests uneasy—leave—
Unease spread—
Top box low laugh—
Ivory paddle—astronomical price—
Never seen—even all lots < zero—
Still collared—goods—toy—
Bai Shuzhou vertical pupils on box—finger crushed table—
Shock increased—purple cage flash—
Zhu Yu felt—slow raised ring hand—flag—
See me?
Didn’t disgrace you—
…
Silence—blood boil—
Never yielded—
Hologram to universe—star net frozen—history turn—
Empire star peak—as prisoner—
Imperial office cold laugh—Feng Jiyan desk—dark—“Impressive, Zhu Yu.”
Hacker paused—Federation war plot fail—
Cheers for Zhu Yu—Bai Shuzhou colder—stood—“Cut feed.”
Zhu Yu breaking—
Bad state—does she know—
Suicide?
Others marvel—only Bai Shuzhou saw fear—
Plan—stop farce—punish pirates—hurt Federation—not too late—
Terminal—Feng smiling fox—unbothered—
“No Highness—wait—max effect—”
“Speech revised—your stage—”
“I said off.” Thin blade voice—
Rose flood—Yzelia shocked—never this Bai Shuzhou—
Feng stiff—rational princess—for a pawn?
Expose ugliness—mob anger—good—die on stage—forgive sins—immortal—
Road paved—step up—
Fox eyes slit—opera sigh—
“Perfect night—pinnacle—”
Brain over brawn—perfect puppet—
Girl in cage—spirit crashing—
Hoarse breath—Bai Shuzhou voice?—
Hallucination?—smiled—
Lights—silver dragons—snow—tail hook hand—
Center light pop—
“Highness?!”
“Yzelia stop her!”
Yzelia bitter—vines bound her too—when so strong—
Silver faster than dark—
Familiar scent—eyes bright—
Focus—small dragon face clear—
Blue eyes emotion she couldn’t read—waves swallow—
“You came!”
Not dream.
Hot waist held—cold skin close—before knees buckled—caught—
Legs not two people—
Silver wings—metal sheen—cover shame—block eyes—
Wide eyes—world only two—
Dark—hearts loud—
Thump thump—
Warm arms—blue star eyes—for her alone—grip wrist tight—
All forgot breath—first legendary dragon—
Sickly princess—
“Highness!! Speech now!!”
Feng furious—plan lost—should be elegant spokesperson—
Shifted—how?!
Steady voice—“Play Federation Freedom Declaration.”
Tossed terminal—
Feng must obey—
Optimal.
Frame—wings embrace—cut blue—
Universe heard—
“We defend human freedom—civilization flows in stars—”
Wings—cage torn—muzzle off—
“No bow to hegemony—no stop for ignorance—”
Fingers on cheek scar—rose closer—
Under sacred ironic declaration—silver dragon bowed—wiped hot tears—patted back—
Don’t fear—safe—
Hand squeeze—hoarse controlled—
“Now—what do you want to say to me?”