That night, the city was transformed magnificently. Lanterns of every color floated in the air, casting a soft golden glow across the streets. The air filled with laughter, music, and the crackle of fire torches.
Xiao Zhi stood in the middle of it all, eyes wide, mouth slightly open in awe. Smiling and laughing happily. "It's like something out of a dream," she whispered. "I've seen this kind of scene in dramas, but seeing it for real—"
"In where?" Ruhan asked, again not catching the word she said.
"In stories," she said, smiling again as she looked up at the bright sky filled with floating light.
"It suits you," Ruhan said quietly, his gaze lingering on her face. The lanterns reflected in her eyes like tiny stars. "You shine more than the festival itself."
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 turns, she reached for him, cheeks flushed. "Don't just stand there! Come dance!"
He shook his head. "I don't—"
She didn't let him finish, grabbing his hand and dragging him into the circle. The crowd cheered as they stumbled into step.
Their laughter mixed with the music, their movements uncoordinated but full of life. For the first time in a long while, they forgot everything—the danger, the story, the endless sand and fear. It was just them. Laughing. Dancing. 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 burn, but smiling after every gulp.
"This is strong," she said, fanning 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, the corners of his mouth soft. 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 grew deeper. The crowd thinned, the air cooler now, but the wine still flowed. Xiao Zhi leaned forward on the table, her head tilted, her cheeks glowing 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 ridiculously 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. So soft-looking…"
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 kissed him.
For a heartbeat, everything went silent. The music, the chatter, the fire—all faded.
Ruhan's eyes widened, then softened. He didn't move, didn't pull away. He just let her lips rest against his, light and trembling.
When she pulled back, breathless, she looked up at him with glassy eyes. "So?" she whispered. "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 drooped, 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 deeply, 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. But what struck him wasn't that. It was the warmth of her breath and the pleasant sensation of her lips against his.
---
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.