Nanowrimo 2022 - Day 24 and 25 update (Patreon)

No update yesterday because of the holiday, but I did manage to write. In total, I added 4,458 words over the past two days, bringing my current total to 45,185!

"And where do you think you're going?"

Recognizing the voice, Jin Xia was unsurprised when she opened her eyes to find Qui Ling standing over her. His hands gripped her arms tightly, likely to leave bruises. His eyes looked manic, mere pinpoints of gold in the shadows of twilight.

"I do believe that's not any of your business, dear brother," Jin Xia said cooly.

Qui Ling laughed, though there was no humor in the sound. "You think you're so special, don't you Jin Xia? You think you're better than me, you always have. I can't wait to see it all crumble around you, when all your precious plans fail and I am made emperor. Will you cry, Jin Xia? I bet you'd look pretty if you did. Pretty enough I might just take you as my first consort."

Jin Xia shuddered, the icy grip of fear clawing at her stomach. "That would never be allowed, and you know it."

"Allowed? You think anyone can tell an emperor what is and isn't allowed?" Qui Ling laughed again, the hollow sound causing the hair at the back of Jin Xia's neck to stand like fur on a terrified cat. "No, I think I will take you as a consort. I'll even let you have your mother's title. And then, I'll send your little whores back to their homes. Maybe I'll let them live, but I like the idea of sending them back with their head in a box. Can't let you have allies on the outside after all. It might give you ideas."

Jin Xia struggled against Qui Ling's grip, but it seemed now of all times the man wanted to use the yellow dragon's blessing. "Let me go, Qui Ling."

"And then I'll take away your sweet little An Cheng," Qui Ling continued as if he hadn't heard her. "Perhaps she'll make a nice little concubine herself. If she's cooperative, I might even let her bare me an heir. Or perhaps my mother might like a maidservant. Either way, I will strip you of each and every ally you have."

"What will you do about Wukong?" Jin Xia asked with a smirk. "Do you really think you can kill a man made immortal more than five times over?"

"Do you really believe he's the legendary Monkey King?" Qui Ling demanded. "You really are pathetic. He's just a man, you stupid cow! A delusional, idiotic man who will laugh and claim immortality until the executioner's blade falls. I can imagine it now! How satisfying!"

Jin Xia could imagine it, too. Wukong's boasting, his wild laughter. The sudden silence as he's caught off mid-laugh. It sent a chill through her bones.

"And then, when all your allies are gone, I will leave you alone. No man will touch you. If they did, I would know. You will bear no heir to challenge me. I'm sure my mother would be more than happy to give me the tea recipe that the Winter Sun consort is so fond of giving the concubines under her care. I wonder what happens when you drink it when already with child. Do you think it would painful? Would you scream?"

Jin Xia bit back a gasp of horror, her eyes wide. She could say nothing in retort. No clever response came to her mind. This was far and beyond any sort of threat. This was a fantasy, thought out and imagined over and over again until every detail was considered. How often did he dream this? How often did he dream of her pain and suffering? When did such cruelty enter his mind?

"You will die alone and unwanted, a failure in every sense of the word. And you will have brought it upon yourself for thinking yourself greater than the breeding mare you are." Finally, he released her, half throwing her into the wall once more. "But please. Do keep trying. It'll make my victory all that much sweeter if you think you're winning beforehand."