Fury of the Phoenix Read Online Free PDF Page A

leaving, carrying a large stack of books. He nodded to them without speaking. The cabin had been cleared of his belongings.
    “What are you doing here?” Chen Yong asked, before he even shut the door.
    “I dreamed of Li Rong,” she blurted.
    He sat down on a small stool. “What?”
    “He came to me and said—told me to travel with you.”
    “But why?” His features were hard, guarded; his amber eyes, dark.
    “He said you were in danger.” She knew how ridiculous she sounded, how superstitious.
    “You came because of a dream?”
    “It felt real. I was worried for you!” She wanted to kick the stool, remembering how terrified she had been for Chen Yong when she had woken. The dread had crushed her for days, really until she had touched his spirit this morning.
    His expression softened. “Did he appear…well?”
    “He did.”
    Chen Yong turned his face away. It still hurt her, too, to think of his brother.
    “Your parents let you come?”
    She clasped her hands and stared at the bare wall behind him. “I left them a letter.”
    “They’ll be sick with worry,” he said. “This journey is long and dangerous. No place for—”
    “A girl?” She let herself become angry, so she couldn’tfeel anything else. “You seem to forget our last journey together.” Her tone was sharp. This wasn’t at all how she had imagined their reunion would be.
    Chen Yong winced, but it was fleeting. He stood, and there was no space in the cabin to back away. “I’d feel responsible if anything happened to you.” His voice was low.
    He was close enough for her to smell the faint lemon scent of his skin. “It was my choice to come. If you’re somehow in danger, I…” she stammered, not knowing how to finish.
    The corner of his mouth twitched, though he would not meet her eyes. He wasn’t pleased to see her. She was a burden.
    He tilted his head as if remembering something. “I never wrote you the name of the ship that I would be traveling on.”
    “No. Li Rong told me in my dream,” she said. “The Gliding Dragon, and the day that you would sail.”
     
    Captain Peng was already seated at the head of the table when they returned to the galley. Yen sat to his right, and Lao Lu, the cook, was beside the pilot. The rest of the crew had eaten earlier.
    The captain rose to his feet, and the other two menfollowed suit. “Ah, our guests have arrived. How are you feeling, Ai Ling?” He pulled out the stool to his right. She touched him with her power and gathered nothing but amusement again. Feeling a little embarrassed, she walked to the table on rubbery legs and managed to sit down without incident. Chen Yong sat beside her.
    “Lao Lu has prepared steamed fish and stewed beef along with chicken soup. A celebration for smooth winds thus far.” He raised his wine cup.
    Lao Lu was a good cook, to judge by the mouthwatering scents that rose from the bowls and plates. Ai Ling searched for tea and, finding none, lifted her wine cup as well. She sipped when the men did, felt the unfamiliar taste of the wine cut a quick path to her stomach.
    She kept sneaking glances at the captain as she ate. His hands were well groomed, tan from the sun. His clothes were impeccable. Peng caught her eye, and she hid her face in her soup bowl. The broth was warm, and it soothed her. It reminded her of home.
    “Have you studied Jiang as your brother has?” Captain Peng asked.
    Ai Ling swallowed too fast and put her bowl down. “No.”
    “You’ll take lessons in Jiang with us each morning then.” Peng wiped his mouth with a silk handkerchief.“After your assigned tasks.” He leaned forward, and both Ai Ling and Chen Yong straightened on their stools. “I don’t mean to be harsh, but I run a disciplined ship. It would set a poor example if you did nothing after sneaking aboard.”
    She pulled her shoulders back. “I understand.”
    The merriment in Peng’s dark eyes didn’t reach his mouth. “You’ll help on deck each morning at