Yearnings: A Paranormal Romance Box Set (161 page)

Overcome by certain knowledge, Wei’s heart raced with excitement. “You?” he whispered. The snake’s seductive wiggle negated the need for words. Years of practice and more years of unspoken longing intensified their combined movements in a breathtaking display of sensuous artistry. As the flute’s wail reached shuddering heights, Wei responded with a mighty surge of his strong body. Raising the snake high above his head, Wei twirled round and round, a spectacular whirling column. When he came to a stop, the snake slithered and slid down the length of his body. It lay entwined around his legs, while the flute fluttered to a throbbing conclusion. The audience roared to its feet, wildly cheering the extraordinary performance.

Daiyu jumped up, intending to slip away, but Wei gripped her arm and whispered, “Oh no, you don’t.”

Before she could free herself, Feng Sun marched to the stage, his face glowing with pleasure.

Quieting the crowd, he bellowed, “Extraordinary! Simply extraordinary!” The crowd yelled its agreement. Feng continued, “I invite you all to honor my table, but first, my ferocious fighters, you must reveal yourselves.”

One by one, the fighters removed their masks. The applause rose to a deafening level when Wei took off his mask and bowed to the audience. Approaching the snake, Feng Sun grinned at Wei. “I didn’t think anyone could upstage my accomplished son, but I believe the snake has done just that.” The audience roared its agreement as Feng bowed and said, “Shingbo, I believe?”

Daiyu took a deep breath to still her shaking fingers, and then slowly removed her hooded mask, freeing a cascade of silky black hair down the middle of her back. Raising her dark green eyes to meet Feng’s shocked gaze, she replied, “No, sir. It is me, Daiyu.”

A stunned silence greeted her quiet words. Feng Sun stared at her then said in a choked voice, “So, it is.” Turning to the gaping crowd, he gave an imperial wave. “Please, be seated.” Only the scrape of chairs shattered the pregnant silence.

Daiyu saw the harsh glare that Feng Sun shot her father. She was frantic to leave, horrified at the shame she had brought her father. She tried to shake off Wei’s hand, but he tightened his grip on her elbow. He ushered her to the table and pulled out her chair. His voice was soft, commanding, “You heard my father, Daiyu. Please be seated. Now!”

She lifted her chin and threw him a defiant glare, then sank down in her chair beside him.

Holding Wong Li’s gaze, Feng Sun said, “Sensei, you and I will discuss this matter. You know women are not permitted to practice kung fu. It is against the code.”

Wei leapt to his feet, his body shaking with suppressed anger. “No, Father. You are wrong. In China, many women are kung fu masters. They are honored throughout the country as heroes.”

Glaring at his son, Feng’s words were cold, clipped. “This is not China, Wei. This is San Francisco and you are in the home of the leader of the Ong León. The Ong León does not permit women to practice kung fu.” Turning to the audience that was staring in rapt silence at the unfolding drama, he said, “Please. Be seated. All of you.”

At that moment, Ting Lyn, her face twisted with rage, rose from her seat at Feng Sun’s table and pointed at Daiyu. “No! Uncle, no! You mustn’t permit this. You may not allow her to sit at this table. You … you know who she is, what she is,” Ting Lyn said.

Daiyu’s stomach clutched at the fury in Ting’s eyes, the angry drops of spittle spewing from her mouth. Daiyu gripped the table edge, her fingers white with strain. She knew what was coming and couldn’t bear the hurt it would cause her father. She willed Ting to stop. But Ting was unstoppable.

Glaring at Daiyu, Ting’s words dripped with scorn. “She cavorts with stable boys. Bewitches men with her devil eyes. She is a
guilo
! A
guilo biao
!”

The audience’s stunned gasp spliced the silence. Ting Lyn’s face paled when Feng Sun stalked toward her. His voice was low, ominous; his expression furious. “Leave the room, Ting. Now!”

Daiyu grasped Wei’s hand. She saw his jaw clench, his eyes flash. His anger was palpable. Only her firm grip held him back.

Feng Sun turned to Wong Li, his face a gray mask. “My honored friend, I apologize for my dead brother’s daughter. She uttered an unconscionable slur
.
Please forgive her.”

Wong Li rose to his feet, his quiet demeanor spoke to his dignity. He bowed to Feng. “Thank you for your hospitality, sir. My daughter, son, and I will leave now.”

As Bo and Daiyu moved to join their father, Wei leapt between them. “Sensei, don’t go.” At Wong Li’s frown, Wei continued, “Please. Allow me to accompany you.”

Feng Sun’s stern voice stopped him. “Wei, we have many guests who are here to celebrate your return. I request that you stay.”

When Wei hesitated, Wong Li stepped forward and took hold of Daiyu’s arm. He shook his head. “No, Wei. We do not require your escort.”

As the three of them walked by Feng Sun, the Tong leader stepped in front of Daiyu.

“
Daiyu, you know that I am angry. But I cannot allow you to leave without acknowledging you. I have never seen the role of the snake performed more elegantly, more beautifully, or with more expertise.”

Daiyu lowered her eyes and bowed. “Thank you, sir.”

As they crossed the courtyard, Ting Lyn jumped out of the doorway. A demonic blaze lit her eyes. Ignoring Bo and Wong Li, she hissed at Daiyu. “This is not finished. He will never be yours!”

Pulling her father and brother back from the crazed woman, Daiyu swallowed a sob. “At least she is right about that,” she murmured.

* * *

The next morning, Daiyu and her father were summoned to appear before the Ong León council. When they entered, Daiyu was startled at the anger in Feng Sun’s eyes. Her father’s hand tightening on her arm confirmed that he also saw the danger. Seeing three of the stable boys, her friends, cowering against the wall, dread choked her. Ting Lyn and her mother were standing aside, their faces gleaming with hate
.
Wei walked in several minutes after Daiyu and her father. His frown confirmed that he was as surprised as they were at the assembled group.

Feng Sun moved toward Daiyu. His voice was harsh. He spoke without preamble. “This morning I was given irrefutable proof of a crime you committed, Daiyu, that is much graver than your forbidden practice.”

Wei jerked forward. “What the hell are you saying, Father? What are you accusing her of?”

Feng’s expression hardened. “Be quiet, Wei. No one, including you, is to speak. The matter has been decided. Five witnesses swore that Daiyu indulges in and is a purveyor of opium, the white death.”

“
What?” Wei shouted. Daiyu fell back against her father’s chest, her eyes wide with shock.

“
Silence!” Feng roared. “You know the Ong León is leading the fight against the white peril that is crippling our race. My edict is final. Daiyu, as the convicted purveyor of the white scourge, you are banished from my protection and from this household. As for you, Sensei, your services to the Ong León are no longer required.”

As Feng Sun turned to leave, Wei shouted, “Father, for God’s sake, stop! What are you saying? What are you doing?” He pointed to Ting Lyn, who smirked from the sidelines. “You know what is happening, who is responsible. You cannot believe …”

At that moment, Wong Li stepped forward and held up his hand. His noble face was tight with anger. He addressed Feng Sun. “You convict my daughter of a crime that you know in your heart she did not commit. Shame on you. But you are correct. No further words are needed or will be spoken.”

Wei stopped them as they turned to leave. “Sensei, please. Wait. This is a grievous mistake. You know what is happening. Ting did this. I will prove it. I will convince my father. Please …”

Wong Li hesitated. “Wei, you are a second son to me. Know that speaking these words to you is painful. You are no longer welcome in our home.”

With their heads held high, Wong Li and Daiyu left the council chambers.

* * *

Five days later, Wei banged on the sensei’s door. Bo opened the door. His face darkened when he saw Wei. “How many times do we have to tell you? You are not welcome!” He tried to slam the door, but Wei blocked it with his foot.

“
Bo, I demand that you let me in.”

Bo scowled. “You have no right to make demands.”

Wei pushed him.” I have something for your father and your sister. I must see them.”

Bo raised his fists, a sharp growl escaping his lips. Behind him, his father spoke, “Let him enter, Bo.”

Wei shoved past Bo, his strong presence filling the room.

He bowed low to Wong Li.

“
Sir, I have two letters. The first is a public apology from my father proclaiming Daiyu’s innocence.” His lips quirked, softening his stern expression. “The stable boys were more amenable to my requests for information than I predicted. But the knowledge that my cousin and her mother are on their way to China in disgrace was as persuasive as their broken noses.”

Wong Li took the letter, his expression impassive. “I will see that Daiyu receives this.”

“
Wait, Sensei. This letter is for you. We will post this revision to the Ong León Code next to the handbill proclaiming Daiyu’s innocence. As you can see, women may now practice kung fu—with one important caveat. They must be under your tutelage.”

Seeing the tears in his beloved sensei’s eyes, Wei pressed his advantage.

“
Now, may I see her?”

A firm click of a door closing confirmed that Daiyu had overheard. Wei brushed by Wong Li and strode to the practice center.

* * *

When Wei entered, Daiyu glared at him, folding her arms across her chest. “What do you want, Wei? Haven’t you and your father done enough damage to my father and me?”

“
Daiyu, I know you overheard our conversation. You must know how deeply sorry I am for the grave injustice you endured. I am here to ask your forgiveness and to give you this.” He inched closer to her, holding out a small, velvet-covered box.

Daiyu lifted her chin, her voice rich with disdain. “I am uninterested in either your apology or your gift.”

A wicked grin tugged at Wei’s mouth. “Hmm, seems you are as stubborn as you ever were. Looks like I’ll need to take matters in my own hands. I propose that we settle this the way we did when we were children. I challenge you. As a warrior, you must accept my challenge, or concede that you are a coward and unwilling to fight with me.”

Ignoring her surprise, he continued. “The stakes are these. If I win, you must accept and wear this gift.” He added with a brash wink, “In the odd event that you win, you may choose how to reward or punish me.”

Daiyu frowned, turning away as if to leave. But instead, she swung around, arching a fierce kick at his shoulder. Wei shrieked with laughter.

“
Ah, my ferocious warrior woman! That’s how it will be? A sneak attack? Damn, that’s the way you fought when you were nine!”

With a fierce spirit yell, Daiyu whirled around and drove a hard kick at his groin. Wei caught her foot and dragged her close to him. Avoiding her sharp elbow jab, he wrapped his foot around her knees and jerked her to the floor, landing squarely on top of her. She struggled for a moment, and then burrowed her face against his shoulder. As he settled over her, Wei’s hand slipped across one firm, full breast. He grinned and said with a wry chuckle, “Hmm, some things are definitely different than they were ten years ago …”

She pulled away with a snort, but not before he saw her smile. He stroked her cheek and whispered, “Say it, Daiyu. Say you concede.”

She shoved him aside and jumped to her feet, her eyes glittering defiantly. “Fine, damn it! I concede. You win.”

He leapt up beside her and handed her the velvet box. “I brought you this pendant from China. It made me think of your eyes.” Pointing to the silver dragon and snake entwined around the gleaming, dark green stone, he said, “I added these while I worked to prove your innocence. Turn around.”

Daiyu allowed him to fasten the pendant around her neck, and then walked toward the door. She looked back over her shoulder and said with a saucy tilt of her head, “It is just as well that I did not win.”

“
Why is that?”

“
If I had, I would have forced you to kiss me.”

Wei’s eyes flared in surprise, but he quickly recovered, a broad grin stealing across his face.

Assuming a solemn expression, he said, “It is only honorable that I give you the opportunity to regain your standing. I challenge you to a rematch.”

He yelled a warrior cry, and then fell to his knees in front of her, his hands upraised. “Enough. I concede. You win.”

A hint of a smile tweaked her lips at his antics, then widened when he stood up and reached out to her.

His voice was whisper-soft, but commanding. Lifting her chin, he looked deep in her dark jade eyes and pulled her close. “And now, my feisty warrior, I will pay the price of defeat and take my punishment like a man.”