༻❁༺

---

In Batu’s small, lovely ways, he continued to defy her. If she claimed there was nothing anyone could say to heal this deep wound, then he would at least try. He did not usher in grand ideas about the coming of heirs or assume infidelity. Instead, he relied on promises already made. He sought to deepen their meaning.

Yue breathed. This, along with the idea that the heavenly (yet temperamental) dragon had not decided to smite Kexin and her son, as a punishment for her own misdeed and ill-thoughts, soothed her. Like the warm waters of the jungle when it ran down her back, she felt her muscles release. Her being unclenched.

She was not alone if she wished not to be. She could not shun those around her, blockade them from her heart, if she wished to have company in her travails.

One of Yue’s many dilemmas was how to appropriately express gratitude to those who devoted themselves to her. The Empress only had handmaidens because they wanted to serve her. Batu guarded her days because he desired to do so. Fear rarely could convince others to give their lives, the way that love could – and the best way to repay a life devoted was to keep it safe. To value, honor, and cherish it.

She did not want to diminish their devotion in any way, but so often Yue wished –

If only it was that simple.

Batu’s gaze was wandering, but not in her direction, as she was accustomed. The Empress strode forward, paws placed delicately on the earth, with her head held low. She sought his gaze. There is so much you cannot shield me from. Not exactly the relaxing notion that she had reached for, but there was a certain comfort in it.

An acknowledgement that no one could do everything. At least not perfectly. Not when the ask in question, could be considered impossible. For example, he could not shield her from her thoughts. He could not prevent societal pressure. He could not force her body to function apart from its norm.

The realization that protection was a fallacy no longer pained her. The Empress had long since accepted this, and she looked at him with the eyes of one who knew what it was like to sacrifice themself.

The warrior inside of her, regarded the warrior inside of him.

---

༻❁༺