Chapter 6 · The Fiancée Walks In

The door slammed open before I could even move.

Su Qing stood in the doorway like she owned the place. Which I guess she sort of did—fiancée and all. Her white robes were spotless, hair pulled back in that perfect braid senior sisters always had time for. Behind her, two junior disciples hovered like nervous birds.

"Hanchuan." Her voice was ice wrapped in silk. "You missed the morning assembly. Again."

I was still half-pressed against Gu Hanchuan's chest, his hand on my wrist where he'd grabbed me when Lin Yuan walked in. Lin Yuan had left maybe thirty seconds ago, saying something about checking the wards. Liar. He'd seen Su Qing coming and bailed.

Smart.

Gu Hanchuan didn't let go of my wrist. Didn't even look at Su Qing. He was staring at the door like he could still see Lin Yuan's sleeve, that red mark I'd caught a glimpse of before the fabric shifted.

"Hanchuan." Su Qing's tone sharpened. "Are you listening to me?"

"I'm busy." His voice came out rough. Still shaking off whatever the poison had done to him last night. "Leave."

Su Qing's eyes finally landed on me. I felt her gaze like a blade.