When night finally fell, the city didn't even look like the same place. It was like someone had flipped a switch, turning the city into a bright display of lights. Thousands of lanterns were floating in the air, staining the streets in this warm, golden glow. The air filled with laughter, music, and the crackle of fire sparklers.
Xiao Zhi stood in the middle of it all, her head tilted back and her mouth hanging open just a little. She couldn't stop smiling. It was the first time since she'd "arrived" here that she actually felt happy to be in this world.
"It's like a dream," she said, smiling again as she looked up at the bright sky filled with floating light.
Ruhan stepped up beside her and handed her a lantern, painted with flowers and Tughril script. She was a little surprised at first, but accepted it. She lifted the lantern so its light warmed her face.
"It suits you," Ruhan said quietly, his gaze lingering. The lantern light reflected in her eyes like small stars. "You shine more than the festival."
She turned to him, caught off guard by the comment. "You—" But the rest of her words were drowned by the roar of drums and cheers as dancers filled the square.
People spun and clapped around a blazing fire, their robes swirling like ribbons. The rhythm of the drums pulled at her, quick and wild. Before she could react, one of the women laughed, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her into the circle.
"Wait, I can't dance!" Xiao Zhi yelped, but the woman only laughed louder. Soon she was spinning, stumbling, then laughing until her sides hurt.
Ruhan stood nearby, arms crossed, watching her with quiet amusement.
After a few dizzying turns, Xiao Zhi spun back toward him, her face flushed.
"Don't just stand there like a statue! Come on, dance with me!"
Ruhan actually looked a little panicked. He shook his head, taking a half-step back. "I don't—"
She didn't even let him finish the sentence. She lunged forward, grabbed his hand, and dragged him right into the middle of the circle. The crowd went wild, cheering and clapping at the two of them.
It was a total disaster, and it was perfect. Their movements were completely uncoordinated. She kept stepping on his toes, and he had no idea what to do with his arms, but they couldn't stop laughing. The music seemed to get louder, drowning out everything else.
For the first time in forever, the weight was gone. No desert, no bandits, no "doomed bride" plot. It was just the two of them, breathless and sweaty, finally feeling alive.
When they weren't dancing or clapping, they sat with the others, drinking wine that smelled of honey and spice. Xiao Zhi sipped eagerly, wincing at the burning taste of the spice, but smiling after every gulp.
"This is strong," she said, shaking her face.
Ruhan smirked. "You don't have to drink it all."
"I'm fine," she said, stubbornly pouring herself another cup. "It's a festival! You're supposed to drink!"
She clinked her cup against his, spilling half the wine onto the table, and laughed even harder at her own clumsiness. Soon, she was giggling at everything he said, or didn't say.
Ruhan watched her quietly, and the corners of his mouth turned into a smile. There was something disarming about her laughter. For so long, he'd only seen her tense, tired, or scared. But tonight, under the lantern light, she looked… happy.
The music faded as the night went on. People started to leave, but the wine still flowed. Xiao Zhi leaned forward on the table, her head tilted, her cheeks turned pink. She laughed again at something Ruhan said, though she probably didn't understand it anymore.
"Ruhan…" she murmured, her voice slow and dreamy. "Did anyone ever tell you how handsome you are?"
Ruhan chuckled. "Not from someone this drunk."
"I'm not drunk," she protested, and hiccuped right after. "Maybe just a little."
He smiled. "You should stop drinking, Princess."
But she wasn't listening. Her gaze had drifted to his lips. They were faintly curved, soft, and a little too close.
"Your lips…" she whispered. "They're so pink. They look so soft…"
Ruhan froze, a faint tension flickering across his face. "Princess,"
Before he could finish, she reached forward and brushed her fingertips against his mouth. "I wonder…" she mumbled, her words slurring slightly. "How they taste…"
Then, she closed the distance.
For a heartbeat, everything went silent. The music, the chatter, the fire, all faded.
Ruhan's eyes widened. He didn't move, didn't pull away.
When she pulled back, breathless, she looked up at him with glassy eyes. "I like it," she whispered, smiling in satisfaction. "Do you like my lips?"
He stared at her for a long moment before a slow smile curved his mouth. "I've tasted your lips before, Princess."
She frowned. "Huh? When?"
He leaned closer, his voice low. "You don't remember?" A smirk formed on his mouth.
Ruhan's face was just inches from hers, close enough that she could feel his breath. For a second, it felt like he might kiss her again. And he might will. He leaned closer and almost closed the gap between them, but then her head suddenly dropped, and she collapsed against his chest.
Ruhan caught her easily, a small laugh escaping him.
He looked down at her sleeping face, soft and peaceful, and couldn't help but smile as the memory of the desert came back to him.
---
Back in the desert, Xiao Zhi had fainted from exhaustion and dehydration. Ruhan had tried to wake her, but she wouldn't stir. Then he heard hooves approaching through the dusty wind. He turned to Duran, wary.
Bandits again?
But the shadows that emerged wore the same clothing as Duran. Duran's face brightened. "It's our border patrol!"
The soldiers rode closer, greeting them warmly and offering water and transport to their camp near the border city.
Ruhan took the water pouch and drank eagerly, as if his life depended on it. So did Duran. Then Ruhan knelt beside Xiao Zhi, trying to feed her water, but her lips stayed closed. The water only dripped down her chin.
He hesitated for a second, then took a mouthful himself. Leaning close, he pressed his lips against hers to pass her the water.
Her lips were dry and cracked, faintly tasting of blood. He told himself it was just to save her life. It was a medical necessity, nothing more. But as his lips pressed against hers, the excuse felt thinner by the second. Her breath was warm, and despite the taste of the desert sand, she tasted like something he didn't want to let go of.
---
The memory made him smile. He adjusted the sleeping Xiao Zhi in his arms and carried her back to the inn and to her room, holding her carefully, like she was his bride.