Chapter 2 — The Peacock's Vow

After Du Canh Xuyen left, it was late into the evening before he finally returned. He walked straight up to me and, without uttering a word, took hold of my hand. With a light prick of his fingertip, a tiny cut appeared on my skin. It stung just a little. I stared blankly at the droplet of blood forming on my finger, wondering what he intended to do. I then watched as Du Canh Xuyen sliced his own hand and produced a piece of exquisite jade. He took my hand in his and let our blood drip onto the stone. The jade hungrily absorbed the crimson liquid, and in an instant, it seemed to awaken, glowing with a renewed, brilliant luster.

What is this for? I asked, utterly confused.

It is a marriage covenant, Du Canh Xuyen replied calmly. He then split the jade into two equal halves and pressed one into my palm. Memories suddenly flooded back to me. When a peacock is born, it carries a piece of jade in its beak, meant to be used to seal a bond with the one it loves. Once the blood of two souls mingles within the stone, they are bound to never be parted for all eternity. I remembered that in my previous life, Bach Am had used this very jade to communicate with Du Canh Xuyen across thousands of miles. Seeing my hesitation, a flash of loss crossed his eyes.

Why is that? Are you unhappy with me?

I shook my head quickly, took the jade, and tucked it into my robes with the utmost care. Not at all.

The moment I accepted the jade, a warmth surged through my body, and I drifted off to sleep. Whether it was a dream or reality, I felt a soft, cool sensation graze my forehead. The following day was the wedding, and the entire Peacock clan gathered to celebrate. I did not know how Du Canh Xuyen had managed it, for he had only a single day to prepare, yet the ceremony was magnificent. It was a grandeur I had never known in the Dragon clan. Back there, I was the wife of Giang Khoat in name only; in reality, he surrounded himself with countless women for his amusement and never once valued our union. He cared only for the wedding night.

What are you thinking about?

Du Canh Xuyen’s voice pulled me back to the present. I shook my head, looking at him in his wedding attire, and was momentarily struck dumb. He was breathtaking, as handsome as a deity. Once the rites were concluded, we sat opposite each other in the wedding chamber, the air thick with awkwardness.

Husband, we should rest.

I was the first to break the silence. Du Canh Xuyen froze upon hearing the term of endearment, his ears turning a subtle shade of red. Realizing what I had said, I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me.

Indeed, we should rest.

Du Canh Xuyen’s lips curled into a smile, his eyes reflecting a rare joy I had not seen in a long time. After the lights were extinguished, I knew that with his cold disposition, there would be no true consummation of the marriage. I made myself comfortable, keeping to my side of the bed, and fell into a deep sleep. Yet, in my half-waking state, I felt a warm, strong embrace wrap around me.

It is too hot...

I murmured softly. At my words, the embrace seemed to flinch in a panic before silently pulling away.

The next morning, Du Canh Xuyen was already gone when I awoke. The handmaiden who dressed my hair told me that the Peacock King had specifically ordered that human food be prepared for me. Just as I prepared myself for a meal of simple greens, the maid arrived with roasted bird meat and a plate of quail eggs. Wait—Du Canh Xuyen was the King of the Skies; he surely wouldn’t roast his own subjects for my benefit? Seeing my confusion, the maid laughed as she explained, Our Queen, we distinguish between beast-kin and common animals. What you are eating is merely ordinary game, so you need not worry.

I nodded, feeling relieved. During this time, Du Canh Xuyen and I lived in a state of comfortable autonomy. He handled his affairs of state, and I wandered as I pleased, for Du Canh Xuyen provided for everything. While strolling through a small alleyway, I overheard some gossip concerning myself. Have you heard? Our Queen is a human. Humans cannot survive long in the thin air of our realm. I suspect the King must have given his beast-core to the Queen.

Filled with suspicion, I returned to find Du Canh Xuyen. Husband, where is your beast-core? I asked directly. His hand, busy with state documents, paused as he looked at me. It is with you, he replied. Why? When… when did you place it on me? Du Canh Xuyen smiled faintly. The moment you arrived.

I recalled the day I first came, the hazy memory of something soft brushing against my lips. Realizing how he had transferred his core to me, my face flushed bright red. But is the beast-core not your very life force? How could you simply entrust it to me? I asked, biting my lip. We are bound by the covenant, our destinies forever linked. From this day forward, you are my life force.

Who would have thought that a man as cold as Du Canh Xuyen could utter such soul-stirring words? I gazed at his peerless face, my throat suddenly dry. I felt a surge of forbidden affection blooming within me, though I knew it was wrong. I turned to leave, but Du Canh Xuyen caught my hand. By force of momentum, I collapsed into his arms. His feathers, soft and delicate, gently brushed against my legs.