Page 74 of Dynasty of the Wicked

“No, you should be fine.” He handed it to her. “But be cautious when using these types of treatments. Continuous usage can make you infertile.”

She gaped at him. “Well, I do want children eventually.”

“You will probably be fine.”

She closed her hand over the vial and tucked it into one of the hidden pockets of her skirt. She was uncertain when she wanted children with Feng Mian. Their future together was already so confusing and conflicting. If Feng Mian continued to serve under Chanming, their relationship would remain rocky. If Chanming was defeated, and Feng Mian wasn’t branded as a traitor, then they could live together in the Zheng estate, if his father allowed it. Maybe they could start a family then. But … but if Chanming became emperor, then what?

“Is something else bothering you?” Physician Wu ran a damp cloth over the surface of his table and then began moving onto the other beds, where he wiped down the bed frames. “You are free to leave. Unless you need something else from me?”

Zhi Ruo shook her head. “No … I …” She touched the bandages around her arm, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through her limb. She wondered, briefly, why that dragon-child was in the camp, and what his purpose was.

Physician Wu’s gaze tracked down to her arm and he frowned, slowing in his task of cleaning. “It is none of my business, but … but you must stay away from that creature.”

A row of goosebumps rose on her body. “You know of … of the dragon-creature?”

“Everyone here does.” He scrubbed at dark, crusted splotches of blood on one of the bed frames. “Lord Li totes him around in hopes that he will grow to be a powerful dragon,but the demon has never transformed once, and he only hurts everyone around him.”

“Why is he kept locked away?”

“Did you not hear me? He attacks everyone.” He pointed a crinkled finger at her own dressings. “You were attacked last night, weren’t you? It’s clear to see.”

Zhi Ruo hid her arm behind her, as if that was enough to mask the truth. “Where is he kept? Is anyone allowed near him?”

“Why are you interested in him?”

She had no idea. Maybe a part of her felt sympathy for the creature, and maybe another part of her was intrigued. She was sure it was him that had been calling to her, begging her for help. Or maybe it was something magic related. Either way, she wanted to see him again.

When she didn’t answer, he clucked his tongue. “He’s kept chained to a pole during the day. Lord Li was told it was good to give the beast sunlight, so he keeps him on display in the center of the camp. You won’t miss him if you keep searching. Everyone avoids him.”

“Thank you.” She bobbed her head in his direction, but he only waved her off, frowning. She hurried outside the tent, a cold current making her skirts slap against her chilled legs. Feng Mian had left early that morning for a meeting with Chanming to discuss war strategies on pushing the Kadians out of their lands.

Zhi Ruo tugged her cloak tighter around her body; this one was Feng Mian’s, and it was made of wolf’s fur, the material thick and warm. She hurried down the camp, scanning the milling ruddy-faced soldiers as they ate, laughed, sparred. White steam clouded from their mouths, disappearing with every wintry wave carrying soft flurries.

Like Physician Wu had predicted, it didn’t take long for her to find the dragon. He sat on the ground, hunched over with his hands tucked over his feet, reminding her of a cat. His dark hairspilled over to the snow, the strands stringy and knotted at the ends. In the sunlight, his scales appeared even more apparent, the black and silver lining his arms, feet, and parts of his face like armor.

She paused to stare at the child. Chains were attached to the manacles on his wrists, and they were wrapped around the wooden pole that had been recently pounded into the partially frozen earth. It didn’t look strong enough to hold him back, but the dragon-child remained sitting, sharp teeth bared at anyone who drew close to him by accident.

As if he could sense her, his red gaze shifted in her direction. He glared at her, and she was sure he was growling. She inched closer to him, stopping when she was about four feet away. He was still dressed in thin rags. Her cloak was nowhere to be seen.

“Good morning,” she murmured.

He hissed, spittle and embers sparking onto the ground a foot away. She reeled back and stared at the creature. He could breathe fire, she remembered. Why didn’t he burn everyone down, then? He clearly didn’t want to be here.

“I’m sorry, did I startle you?” she asked quietly.

He continued to glare.

“You are such an angry little beast.” She crouched down until she was at his level. She wanted to reach forward and comb his knotted hair, but she was sure she’d lose her hand if she tried that. “I wonder if I would have become like that, too, if I continued to …”

The words dried up in her mouth. She had been a prisoner in her father’s vicious court, and she had slowly become loathsome toward everyone, particularly her family. Maybe, if enough time had passed, she would become like him. Snapping at anyone who drew near. Baring her teeth at every outstretched hand. And never trusting a soul.

“I see you’re not wearing the cloak I gave you.”

He narrowed his eyes, but at least he stopped growling. That was a good sign.

“Do you have a name?”

No response.

---