Free Golden by Joely Sue Burkhart

roared with laughter, and even the Emperor chuckled.
    “Enough, old woman. Leave us in peace.”
    He smoothed cooling medicine onto the cuts in my back, and I couldn’t help but sigh with relief. Tears spilled from my eyes, but I tried not to let my shoulders shake or any noise escape my mouth. I would endure whatever he willed, but I didn’t want him to see me weep again. Not unless my cries and screams would please him, and I knew this would not. He would only feel worse if he saw my sobs.
    At least now I had his gentleness. He touched me as carefully as he’d stroked his Empress that night. His fingers danced upon my sore skin, spreading healing herbs and taking away the hurt. All pain I had borne was worth it, then, to feel his soothing touch.
    “The Son of Heaven tries very hard to make the best choices every single time,” he whispered, pressing a featherlight kiss to my shoulder. “He examines every possible decision, evaluates the risk and reward, assesses the cost to his subjects and oft must make a choice that does not please the man. The Emperor has many rewards, yes, but he also must make many sacrifices for his people. He cannot be a man, for he is the supreme ruler, a reflection of heaven here on earth. The higher he goes, the lonelier he becomes. The top of the mountain fosters a cold heart.”
    His fingers massaged my shoulders and neck, kneading with enough pressure that I melted. I enjoyed his tenderness, of course, but I couldn’t deny the side of me that enjoyed his strength and force of will even more. The harder he touched me, the more my muscles eagerly surrendered.
    “The man wanted you for his own, Jin. The man burned to claim your golden eyes, to strip and stretch you out upon his bed so he might explore every glorious curve at his leisure. The man knew you saw and accepted the darkness of his secret need, and it was all he could do not to drag you from court to his bedchambers so he might unleash his darkest desire upon you without delay, eager to see how you might turn that violence to pleasure.
    “But the Emperor weighed the cost and decided it would be safer for you to go to his son.”
    I tried to rear up beneath him so I could deny those words, but he pressed me down. “I don’t need protection from you, Your Majesty! I’ll give you whatever you desire, accept whatever you need to give, even—especially—the pain.”
    “I know, my love.” His mouth pressed to my ear, his fingers hard on my arms. “But the Emperor knew his first wife’s temper. She would have no hesitation whatsoever to eliminate any threat to her position and her firstborn son. The Emperor hoped that as the Crown Prince’s wife, you would have some security and safety. She would have no cause to eliminate you as long as Ping was the heir apparent.
    “Alas, the man could not endure the temptation of so sweet a flower so close within his grasp. The man must touch you or cease breathing, and now the Emperor finds that all his careful planning was for naught. You have still borne great danger to be with me, which I regret wholeheartedly.”
    “I don’t,” I whispered raggedly. “I have no regrets.” I arched my back to rub against him, even though the pain made me cry out. “She can attempt her worst, Your Majesty, but I’m strong enough to endure. I’ll endure whatever she might send my way if only to feel your touch.”
    “Oh, Jin, my sweet golden girl,” he breathed heavily in my ear. “What can I give you to make up for this pain? Name anything, dearest, and the Emperor will make it so.”
    I rose up on my knees and pushed my hips back against the waiting erection. “I want only you.”
    His right hand left me momentarily so he might rid himself of the barrier his clothing made between us. Then he covered me, his hands upon mine, holding me in place, his chest against my sore back. And yes, it hurt, and he knew it hurt, for that’s exactly why he did it, and why I wanted it. His sweat stung the