BOUND BY FIRE

CHAPTER FIVE: The Sword Between Us

Chapter Five: The Sword Between Us

The heavens burned gold above Mount Yun.

Rain continued to fall across the mountains, turning the stone paths into rivers of silver. Thunder rolled in the distance, but the sound seemed strangely far away.

Lin Yue stood beneath the ancient pine tree, staring at the man before her.

Feng Yan.

The immortal who had saved her life.

The immortal who had also told her that the child growing inside her could destroy the balance between the mortal and immortal realms.

His words had been echoing in her mind since the night before.

The child must be protected.

But if the heavens discover the truth, they will come for you.

Lin Yue pressed a hand against her stomach.

She still could not understand how everything had changed so quickly.

A few weeks ago, she had been an ordinary mortal girl.

Now she carried a secret that could shake the heavens.

And the only person who seemed to know the truth was the very man she could not decide whether to trust.

"You're thinking too loudly."

Feng Yan's voice pulled her from her thoughts.

Lin Yue looked up.

He stood a few steps away, dressed in white robes that moved gently with the wind. His expression was calm, but his eyes were fixed on her.

"I didn't say anything."

"You didn't need to."

She frowned.

"Do immortals always speak in riddles?"

"Only when mortals ask too many questions."

"I have every right to ask questions."

"Then ask."

Lin Yue hesitated.

There were a hundred things she wanted to know.

Instead, one question escaped her lips.

"Why are you helping me?"

Feng Yan's expression changed.

Only slightly.

But Lin Yue noticed.

"Because you're in danger."

"That's not an answer."

"It is the only answer you need."

Lin Yue stepped closer.

"No. You saved me when the demon attacked. You brought me here. You protect me from the people who are searching for me. And now you're telling me that the child inside me is connected to something powerful."

Her voice trembled.

"Why?"

Feng Yan remained silent.

Lin Yue's eyes narrowed.

"You know something."

"Lin Yue."

"Tell me."

"Some truths are safer when they remain hidden."

"That is what people say when they are hiding something."

For the first time, irritation flashed across Feng Yan's face.

"You think knowing everything will save you?"

"I think being kept ignorant will get me killed."

The words hung between them.

Feng Yan stared at her.

Lin Yue's heart pounded.

Then, unexpectedly, he looked away.

"You are becoming more troublesome."

"Good."

A faint smile touched her lips.

"Maybe you should stop keeping secrets."

Feng Yan almost smiled.

Almost.

Then the smile disappeared.

"Come with me."

"Where?"

"Somewhere safe."

"I thought this place was safe."

"It was."

The sudden seriousness in his voice made her smile disappear.

"What happened?"

Feng Yan turned toward the mountain path.

"Someone has found us."

Lin Yue froze.

"Who?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he reached for her hand.

She immediately pulled away.

"Don't."

Feng Yan looked at her.

"I can walk by myself."

"Then keep up."

He walked away.

Lin Yue followed.

They had barely crossed the stone bridge when a sharp sound split the air.

Feng Yan stopped.

Lin Yue nearly walked into him.

"What is it?"

"Quiet."

The mountain suddenly became still.

No birds.

No wind.

Even the rain seemed to disappear.

Then came the sound of footsteps.

Slow.

Measured.

Coming from the forest.

Feng Yan moved in front of Lin Yue.

His hand rose.

A golden barrier formed around them.

Lin Yue stared.

"What are you doing?"

"Stay behind me."

"Why?"

"Because this time, I don't know if I can protect you."

Her heart dropped.

Before she could respond, a figure emerged from the mist.

A woman.

She wore silver armor beneath a long blue cloak. Her black hair flowed behind her, and a sword hung at her waist.

Lin Yue recognized her immediately.

She was one of the immortals from the heavenly realm.

The woman stopped several steps away.

Her gaze moved from Feng Yan to Lin Yue.

Then to Lin Yue's stomach.

Her eyes widened.

"So it is true."

Feng Yan's expression became cold.

"Leave."

The woman laughed softly.

"After all these centuries, Feng Yan, you still believe you can order me around?"

Lin Yue looked at him.

"You know her?"

"Unfortunately."

The woman's eyes narrowed.

"My name is Bai Xue. I serve the Celestial Court."

Lin Yue's heart sank.

Bai Xue drew her sword.

"Lin Yue, you are ordered to come with me."

Lin Yue stared at her.

"Why?"

"Because you are carrying something that does not belong in the mortal world."

Her hand instinctively covered her stomach.

Feng Yan stepped forward.

"She isn't going anywhere."

Bai Xue looked at him.

"Then you admit it."

A dangerous silence followed.

Lin Yue looked between them.

"Admit what?"

Neither answered.

Her fear grew.

"What are you talking about?"

Bai Xue smiled.

"The immortal phoenix."

The world seemed to stop.

Lin Yue felt the blood drain from her face.

"What?"

Bai Xue pointed her sword toward her.

"The child inside you carries the blood of the immortal phoenix."

Feng Yan's eyes flashed.

"Enough."

The air exploded.

Bai Xue was thrown backward, but she recovered instantly. Her sword struck the ground, sending a wave of spiritual energy across the mountain.

Feng Yan raised his hand.

The force stopped before reaching Lin Yue.

She stumbled.

"Feng Yan!"

"Stay back!"

Bai Xue attacked.

Feng Yan moved faster than Lin Yue could see.

One moment he stood before her.

The next, he was fighting Bai Xue across the mountain path.

Their movements were almost impossible to follow.

Light flashed between the trees.

The sound of metal striking metal echoed through the mountains.

Lin Yue stood frozen.

Then she heard it.

A whisper.

Run.

She turned.

No one was there.

"Who said that?"

Another whisper came.

Run, Lin Yue.

She looked toward the forest.

Something was watching her.

Fear tightened her chest.

She took one step backward.

Then another.

A shadow moved between the trees.

Lin Yue turned toward Feng Yan.

"Feng Yan!"

He didn't hear her.

Bai Xue had forced him toward the edge of the cliff.

Lin Yue made a decision.

She ran.

Not away from Feng Yan.

Toward him.

"Lin Yue!"

Feng Yan's voice finally reached her.

She stopped.

Bai Xue's sword was pointed directly at her.

Everything happened at once.

Feng Yan's expression changed.

He disappeared.

A loud crash shook the mountain.

Lin Yue fell backward.

When she opened her eyes, Feng Yan was kneeling in front of her.

Blood stained his white robe.

Her breath caught.

"You're hurt."

"I'm fine."

"You are bleeding!"

"It's nothing."

Bai Xue stood several steps away, staring at them.

Then she looked at Feng Yan.

"You protected her."

Feng Yan said nothing.

Bai Xue's expression hardened.

"You know what that means."

"Leave."

"You have broken the heavenly law."

Feng Yan slowly stood.

His eyes were colder than Lin Yue had ever seen them.

"Then let the heavens come."

Bai Xue stared at him.

"You would choose a mortal over the Celestial Court?"

Feng Yan glanced at Lin Yue.

For one brief moment, his eyes softened.

Then he looked back at Bai Xue.

"She isn't just a mortal."

Lin Yue's heart stopped.

Bai Xue smiled.

"Exactly."

She raised her sword.

"Then let's see what she becomes."

Feng Yan's spiritual power erupted.

The entire mountain shook.

Bai Xue disappeared into the mist.

Her voice echoed through the valley.

"The Celestial Court will come for her."

Silence returned.

Lin Yue stared at Feng Yan.

He was still watching the place where Bai Xue had vanished.

"Feng Yan."

He didn't answer.

"Feng Yan."

This time, he looked at her.

Lin Yue's eyes filled with questions.

"Is it true?"

He remained silent.

"Is the child inside me really an immortal phoenix?"

Feng Yan looked away.

Lin Yue stepped closer.

"Tell me the truth."

"You heard her."

"I heard her say it. I want to hear it from you."

His jaw tightened.

"Lin Yue—"

"Please."

The word stopped him.

For the first time, she saw something in his eyes that frightened her more than anger.

Fear.

Feng Yan was afraid.

Not for himself.

For her.

"The phoenix blood is awakening," he finally said.

Lin Yue's hand moved to her stomach.

"What does that mean?"

"It means the child is not ordinary."

"Will my baby be safe?"

Feng Yan hesitated.

"Feng Yan."

"I don't know."

Her eyes widened.

He continued.

"Phoenixes are reborn through destruction. Their power is beyond what mortals can understand. If the child awakens fully, the heavens will see it as a threat."

"Why?"

"Because an immortal phoenix cannot be controlled."

Lin Yue's heart pounded.

"And what happens to me?"

Feng Yan looked at her.

"The phoenix is bound to you."

She froze.

"What?"

"The demon's power entered your body. The phoenix's power is connected to the child. Somehow, the two forces have become intertwined with your soul."

Lin Yue took a step backward.

"So I'm trapped."

"No."

"Then what am I?"

Feng Yan didn't answer.

Lin Yue's eyes burned with tears.

"First the demon. Now the phoenix. Everyone keeps telling me what I am carrying, what I am becoming, what I might destroy."

She clenched her fists.

"But no one asks what I want."

Feng Yan stared at her.

Lin Yue wiped her eyes.

"I don't want to be a weapon."

"You aren't."

"Then why does everyone treat me like one?"

Feng Yan had no answer.

The rain began to fall again.

Lin Yue turned away.

"From now on, I want the truth."

"Lin Yue—"

"No more secrets."

She looked over her shoulder.

"If I'm going to survive this, I need to know what I'm fighting."

Feng Yan watched her silently.

Then he reached for the sword at his waist.

Lin Yue frowned.

"What are you doing?"

He removed the sword and held it out to her.

She stared at it.

"The Sword of Yun."

"What about it?"

"It was forged from the first flame of the phoenix."

Lin Yue looked at him.

"Why are you giving it to me?"

"Because soon, the heavens will come."

He placed the sword in her hands.

The moment her fingers touched the hilt, a burst of golden fire surrounded them.

Lin Yue gasped.

The flames vanished as quickly as they had appeared.

Feng Yan's eyes widened.

Lin Yue stared at the sword.

A strange warmth spread through her body.

Then she heard a voice.

Not Feng Yan's.

Not Bai Xue's.

A voice from deep inside her soul.

Find me.

Lin Yue dropped the sword.

It struck the ground.

Feng Yan immediately stepped forward.

"What did you hear?"

She looked up at him.

Her face was pale.

"Someone called my name."

"Who?"

Lin Yue looked toward the dark forest.

"I don't know."

Far above them, hidden beyond the clouds, a golden light appeared.

One.

Then two.

Then hundreds.

Feng Yan looked toward the heavens.

His expression changed.

"They're here."

Lin Yue's heart raced.

"Who?"

Feng Yan stepped in front of her.

"The Celestial Army."

Thunder shook the mountain.

Lin Yue looked up.

The sky was filled with countless lights descending from the heavens.

Feng Yan tightened his grip on his sword.

"Stay behind me."

This time, Lin Yue didn't argue.

She simply looked at him.

"Feng Yan."

"What?"

"If we survive this..."

He glanced at her.

"Tell me everything."

A faint smile touched his lips.

"Stubborn mortal."

Lin Yue smiled weakly.

"Annoying immortal."

For one brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Then the heavens opened.

And the war began.