Star Crossed In Time

It's fine... the necklace was a backup plan in case things went south... to be honest, everything had already gone south! It's fine... Bai Lei found me and even Zhen is here... this is why I came back right? So what if he's King... he's still the Bai Lei I know.

I feel a slight cold sweat as that thought slowly sinks in. Yes, I know Bai Lei but there's a lot I still don't know about him. One step at a time Nova... "Liling?" Zhen calls me breaking me out of my thoughts. I give him a large smile and say "Even if he is the KIng, he's still the same person I know so I'm not too worried."

Zhen gives me a small nod and says "You need to rest a bit more but once you're better, I think we should work on building your strength." I nod my head in agreement as my mind starts to race. At this moment, I'm no different than a child in terms of strength.

I'm a sitting target to everyone else and I don't like the feeling. I never want to be stuck again like I was with Guozhi... I turn back to look at Zhen with determination as I ask "Can we start now?" Zhen looks at me with shock before chuckling and saying "You need to rest first. Once you're better, we'll start working on it." 

I give him a pouty look as someone cries out "My Lady!!" I turn to look back at the doors to see Chyou! A large smile crawls across my face as Chyou runs over with tears in her eyes. "I'm so happy that you're safe my lady! I was so sad when you left!" 

I gently pet her head and say "It's nice to see you again Chyou, I hope you're doing well." Chyou wipes her tears and says "I'm much better now that you're here. His Majesty and I both missed you so much..." I give her a gentle smile and introduce her to MingMing and Zhen. 

"I'll make you a warm bath right away!" Chyou says running to the back. I look down at the red dress with a frown. It would be nice to get out of this... After a warm bath and clean clothes, I crawl back in bed with heavy eyelids. 

Maybe I really did need rest... I thought I was okay but I'm so tired. Ren walks into the room with a familiar wooden bowl making me cringe. Ren smirks at me as he says "I made this with a lot of care... please drink it while it's still warm or I'll have to make you more." 

I glare at Ren as he clearly enjoys my pain. I snatch the bowl from him and quickly knock it back as I cover my mouth. It tries to come back up every time!! It's so nasty!! My eyes water as I struggle to keep it down. Ren's smirk grows in delight as Bai Lei walks back in.

Bai Lei lifts his hand and another Lily Peach appears making me smile. I quickly grab it and take a bite before relaxing. Bai Lei turns to give Ren a look making Ren freeze and dismiss himself. I watch Ren leave with a cold glint in my green eyes. 

Bai Lei sits on the bed next to me with a smirk while saying "I know that look..." I turn to look at him with a glare as I say "He started it...by the way, isn't the King too busy to keep little old me company?" 

Bai Lei freezes and gives me a tight smile before saying "It wasn't like I was trying to hide it from you... it just kinda happened." I watch him closely as I ask "Is there anything else I should know?" Bai Lei scrunches up his face in thought before shaking his head and saying "Not that I can think of... I have no reason to hide anything from you." 

I slowly nod and finish the peach in silence. Bai Lei Pulls the blankets up to me as he says "I gave Zhen and His Granddaughter rooms close to here so if you need them, they're close." I nod and thank him as I awkwardly watch the sun lower in the sky. 

He reaches over and gently grabs a lock of my hair as he asks "What's on your mind? You're awfully quiet." I look back over to him and look into his dark black eyes. "Why do you suddenly feel different?" I ask in a soft voice making him freeze.

His dark eyes search mine before slowly taking my hand in his larger hand. "I'm still me... the same one who rode the dragon with you... the one who played strip poker... the one who slept next to you at night. I have more responsibilities here but I'm still me." 

I give him a small smile but I still feel a bit uneasy in my heart. What was this feeling? Something tells me that things aren't going to be as easy as I had originally thought... Bai Lei tucks me in and leaves after I fall asleep. He had more work to do...

After resting for the last three days, I was feeling brand new! After cleaning up, I walk outside to the large courtyard with a large smile. I slowly stretch as I begin thinking about the training that Zhen will start teaching me today but when I feel a pair of eyes on me, I turn and find a beautiful woman dressed in a beautiful sky blue dress.

She quickly gives me a smile and glides over like she's walking on a cloud. I arched a dark eyebrow at her elegance and silently acknowledge her grace. She stops in front of me and says "Greetings, my name is Biyu and you are?" 

Was I picking up hostility? I slightly narrow my eyes on her as I return her smile and say "My name is Nova..." Her delicate eyebrows come together as she says "That's an odd name... Welcome Nova, I hope you're comfortable while staying here." 

My smile slowly turns into a smirk at her words. Why was she acting like this was her house and I was her guest? Biyu's smile falters when she sees the cynical smirk on Nova's beautiful face. Nova looks at her from head to toe with that same smirk and says "Who the hell are you?"