An Illicit Temptation Read Online Free PDF

were another tribal confederation. They wanted
Khitan land and horses and men to fight in their wars. With the Tang Empire,
there was at least chance for diplomacy. For peace. That was why his father had
sent him there to learn from them.
    “You must be discussing serious matters.”
    An-Ming returned from the tent and settled in beside them at
the fire without a moment’s hesitation. Her hair was damp and pinned up in a
loose knot with a few strands pulling free. Beads of moisture remained on her,
pooling at the hollow of her throat.
    “Princess.” Kwan-Li bowed his head in deference. What he really
wanted to do was put his mouth on her and run his tongue over her neck. He
swallowed forcibly.
    “It’s only because you can’t have her.” Ruan spoke in Khitan.
His grin was back, but there was a dark wisdom in his eyes.
    “I’m no fool. I just need to get her to the khagan,” Kwan-Li
retorted.
    An-Ming looked expectantly between them, not understanding. She
pouted when neither of them offered any explanation. “You have to teach me your
language once we reach the central capital,” she said to Kwan-Li.
    That stopped him short. “I am not staying, Princess.”
    Confusion crossed her face, then alarm. “But I thought—”
    Ruan conveniently backed away to help the others with the
provisions.
    An-Ming looked so lost that he was reminded of his own journey
long ago into a foreign land. He’d been left adrift there, practically a hostage
trapped in the imperial city.
    He and An-Ming had embarked on this journey together. He had
never considered she would expect him to stay with her. He had never considered
she would ever want him to.
    His throat clenched. What she was asking for was impossible. He
was the one who had negotiated the peace marriage from his position within the
imperial court. The responsibility lay in his hands, but duty and honor weren’t
enough to keep him away from her. His control had already slipped once and if
Ruan wasn’t hovering nearby now…
    “There are others within the khagan’s court who speak your
language. They can teach you.” He shouldn’t have to explain, but he did anyway.
“I have my own tribe to return to. My own kinsmen.”
    For the first time, he saw a break in her resolve and the
loneliness underneath. He wanted to protect her. If this fire inside him were
nothing but desire, An-Ming wouldn’t have such power over him. He was angry at
himself for this weakness.
    “I don’t suppose I can command you to stay,” she said
softly.
    He responded with an iron look. “I am not your servant to
command, Princess.”
    * * *
    Kwan-Li took the lead that day. Ruan had explained the
route. They would follow the river north to where the ravine opened into a
valley. From there they would be only days away from the khagan’s camp.
    An-Ming chose not to speak with him, favoring Ruan’s company
instead. She was pointedly asking the Old Wolf to teach her Khitan.
    The day was otherwise uneventful, until around midday as they
navigated along the inclines of the ravine. Kwan-Li noticed movement in the pass
ahead. A dark shape moved out of the shadows followed by another.
    “Riders,” he called out.
    Ruan came up beside him. “A hunting party?”
    A low sound punctuated the air. Kwan-Li knew it at once and his
heart seized. One of their companions doubled over in the saddle, the shaft of
an arrow protruding from his chest.
    “Stay back!” Kwan-Li commanded.
    There was a startled cry from behind him. The princess.
    Confusion spread as the additional horses became untethered.
Ruan moved to the front, bow in hand to return fire, while Kwan-Li positioned
himself between An-Ming and the intruders in the distance. Her face was pale,
her eyes wide with shock.
    “Head for the other side of the river. Go!” He leaned over to
strike her horse’s backside.
    An-Ming held on as the horse took off while he followed behind
her at a gallop. There was little cover in the ravine. She needed to get