TWENTY-TWO
What sounded like a smothered scream jolted Ava out of her daydream about swimming with Bianca at the Summer Palace. Ava scanned the garden, just in time to see Princess Lan fall off her chair, to the consternation of her attendants. Together, they carried her inside the palace.
Ava prepared to return to her thoughts, when another sound caught her attention – this time, a male voice.
"Have you seen her?" the man asked.
Princess Fang dropped to her knees on the grass, extending her hand in Ava's direction.
The man turned and a grin lit his face. "There's my little wife! My illustrious father reminded me that a marriage is not successful without sons, so it's off to bed for you. I hope you're well rested after last night, for there'll be very little sleep for you tonight, e
