Page 54 of Quest

More than her appearance, it was the essence of her that shone through—from the resilience in her eyes, to the curve of her smile that spoke of strength and kindness. As I gazed at her, something within me shifted, a realization as bright and terrifying as the dawn.

I was in love with her. Not just with the fierce herbalist who had defied a prince, or the brave woman who had ventured into the unknown for the sake of her father, but withMei—every part of her that she had revealed and all that remained yet undiscovered. No matter the challenges ahead, my path was irrevocably intertwined with hers.

As we made our way back to camp she walked so close to me, within an arm’s reach, proximity that tempted me to reach out and take her hand. I clenched my fists to resist the impulse, but it was impossible to ignore the lure that repeatedly beckoned my gaze. The early rays of sun glinted off her hair, carelessly tied back to maintain her masquerade. I couldn’t help but admire how the light created a soft halo around her face, enhancing each gentle curve, as if she were part of the landscape itself.

I allowed her to return first before making my separate way back. I did my best to resist the temptation to stare at her all throughout our quick breakfast, or to remain too close when we broke camp and started on today’s travel.

Just beyond us, dawn bathed the lush valley below in a warm glow, with the first rays of sunlight piercing the morning mist to reveal terraced rice paddies cascading down the hillsides like emerald steps leading to an ancient temple. Cherry blossoms fluttered in the gentle breeze, their delicate pink petals a vivid contrast against the deep greens of the surrounding bamboo groves. In the distance, majestic peaks cut a sharp silhouette against the clear blue sky, their snow-capped summits standing sentinel over the serene landscape.

Each element combined into a breathtaking tableau of natural splendor, yet beneath this beauty a darker narrative unfolded, growing ever more paramount the closer we drew to the Realm of Shadows. A subtle blight crept along the edges of the forest, the leaves tinged with unnatural blackness, a stark reminder of the curse that lingered over the land. The once clear rivers now flowed with murkiness, and flowers that should have been bursting with color had become dulled, as if the land’s vitality was melting away.

I could see Mei’s worry etched in every delicate line of her disguise as she took in the landscape, one of the few falters in the illusion of Ren that drove me mad. I ached to uncover not only her true form but her thoughts; at times I succeeded in catching expressions that gave me fleeting glimpses into her emotions, but the effort was exhausting, leaving me wishing there was a spell to unveil her heart as well as her body so I could see her as herself—not merely the beautiful woman I was coming to know but her hopes, joys, and fears as well.

Her brow arched inquisitively when she caught me staring—a look so endearing that it shattered the last of my restraint. Leaning in, I whispered close to her ear, surrendering to the torment of maintaining our distance to finally give in to the compelling urge to draw nearer to her. “You’re being too obvious. You need to behave more like a man.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I assure you that my confession of my identity hasn’t altered my efforts to maintain my disguise.”

That couldn’t possibly be true, not when every look and movement was reminiscent of Mei, so incongruous with the male persona she struggled to maintain. “I’m afraid that despite your endeavor, nothing aboutthisis manly.” I gestured to all of her.

Manlywas the least accurate descriptor; she was agonizingly beguiling, and only became more so when she lifted her chin in challenge. “Yet my act is not only sufficient enough not to draw the others’ notice, but to have fooled you before you knew my true identity.”

Past Darcel had been completely blind; her true self was obvious in each interaction and tender look she cast my way. Magic or not, I couldn’t believe any spell had ever convinced me she was anything but a woman.

“Your femininity is not only distracting but also disconcerting, especially since I know the truth.”

“In what way am I not behaving convincingly enough?” Her earnest look nearly undid me, one of many moments that tested my faltering willpower.

Before I could respond, Kael approached, his gaze briefly flicking towards Mei before asking how long I thought my leg would hold out on today’s trek. Mei excused herself and walked ahead while we spoke, and I made an effort not to stare at her the whole time I conversed with Kael. Our conversation on her behavior would have to wait until we had another moment alone, and there was no telling when we’d be able to speak without interruption.

Once I’d returned to her side, I struggled against the impulse to pay Mei too much attention in full view of the others. Despite my resolve, I found myself captivated by her manner and the subtle grace with which she moved. I could only notice from afar in silent torment until I was finally granted reprieve when we took a short break just before noon.

Jiang and Kael went off hunting, leaving us with the supplies and a task to go over our route, one that would have to wait until I’d satisfied my suppressed longings. I approached her and cleared my throat, finding it difficult to articulate the specific ways her natural demeanor betrayed her when there were so many other things I longed to say.

I stood silently next to Mei until she gave me a puzzled look. I awkwardly cleared my throat. “Your gestures are too refined. Men tend to be more abrupt.” I demonstrated by adjusting my stance, letting my movements become more angular.

Mei watched intently, her brow furrowed in concentration. Then, with a slight nod, she attempted to mimic the movement, her sincere effort still tinged with a fluid elegance that was innately hers. “Like this?” Her voice dropped in an attempt to sound more masculine, but the softness of her tone only highlighted her femininity further.

I hesitated, torn between my duty as her mentor and a newfound reluctance to alter anything about her, a sentiment rooted in my deepening feelings for her.

Seizing the opportunity to offer more tailored guidance, I moved closer. Gently I adjusted her shoulders, feeling her muscles tense under my palms. Though my touch was meant to be instructive, I couldn't ignore the heated connection between us, sparking something indefinable between us.

Our eyes met and for a moment time seemed to suspend, her gaze holding mine in silent conversation. “It’s not just how you move,” I admitted. “It’s everything about you. Now that I know you’re Mei, it’s impossible to see anyone else.” My confession—heavy with unspoken feelings and realizations—lingered in the air, marking a shift I was only just beginning to comprehend.

Her cheeks warmed but she didn’t look away. “I’m thankful you can see me as I really am.” Her voice was soft, irresistibly compelling. “Even at home where everyone knows I’m a woman, most only see me as the herbalist’s daughter. But it seems as though you see deeper than that—not my occupation or even my legacy, but simplyMei.”

I longed to share that I hoped she could also see beneath the veneer of royalty to the man Darcel, but a fluttering breeze twitched the map Mei held, reminding me of our duty. I didn’t relish the thought of facing Jiang and Kael if they returned to find we hadn’t so much as glanced at the route.

Reluctantly I gestured to the parchment. “Kael said there are multiple possible paths we could take, and since he isn’t familiar with this area he thought we might be able to give some insights from the map, since it concerns terrain.”

We seated ourselves on a large stone that was warm from the sun, close enough that our shoulders brushed. I watched, mesmerized, as Mei drew a delicate finger over the map, tracing a path. Dimly I heard her voice but couldn’t seem to keep my mind on what she was saying about thick forests and steep inclines.

As the sun moved slowly overhead, we attempted to formulate a plan of travel, though progress was slow as she seemed to be as distracted as I was. Making a valiant attempt to focus on the map, I leaned forward to point to a diagram showing a patch of rocky hills just as she touched the same spot. We both jumped at the contact but she didn’t move her fingers and, emboldened, I wrapped my hand around hers. She looked up at me, eyes widening.

Kael’s sudden voice shattered the moment. “Are we ready to move on, Your Highness?” His sharp tone was a stark intrusion into the quiet intimacy that had unfolded between us.

We sprang apart, the map falling to the grass, and I inwardly cursed at how guilty the sudden distance made us appear. Mei adjusted her hat, a quick, flustered motion that did little to hide her flushed cheeks. I turned towards Kael, masking my irritation with a nod. “Yes, let’s continue,” I managed, my voice steadier than I felt.

My thoughts whirled as he nodded and walked on ahead. How much had he seen? The question gnawed at me, adding a weight to my steps as I pondered the risk of our near discovery.

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