Truths

She turned to Fu Shao, who at least didn't have a boner anymore.

The look in her eyes would have sent most people running. He raised his eyebrows with a smirk.

She took a step in his direction.

"Qina," I said quietly.

"Will you help me get dressed?" I let my arms fall to my sides and walked toward the bathroom, trying to wince now and then as if I was sore and hoping I wasn't overdoing it.

And I'd never seen a bride, or anyone else, after they'd supposedly lost their virginity.

The moment the door closed behind Qina and me, she threw her arms around me.

"I hate him. I hate them all. I want to kill him."

"He didn't do anything," I murmured.

She pulled back and I put my finger to my lips. Confusion filled her face.

"What do you mean, big sister?"

"He didn't force me."

"Just because you didn't fight him doesn't mean it wasn't forced."

I covered her mouth with my hand.

"I'm still a virgin."

She stepped back so my hand dropped from her lips.

"But the blood," she whispered.

"He cut himself."

She stared at me in disbelief.

'Do you have amnesia syndrome?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Shh. I'm telling the truth."

"Then why the show?"

"Because nobody can know. Nobody. Not even Mother or Qinli. You can't tell anyone, Qina."

She frowned.

"Why would he do that?"

"I don't know. Maybe he doesn't like to hurt me."

"That man would kill a baby fawn if it looked at him the wrong way."

"You don't know him."

"Neither do you."

She shook her head.

'Don't tell me you trust him now. Just because he didn't eat you last night doesn't mean he won't do it soon. Maybe he prefers to do it in his penthouse with a view over the city. You are his wife and any man with a working ball would want to get into your pants."

"Father really wasted all of his lady comments on you," I said with a smile.

Qina kept glaring.

"Qina, I knew when I married him that I would have to sleep with him eventually, and I accepted that. But I'm glad that I get the chance to at least get to know him a bit better first."

Though I wasn't sure I'd like the parts of him that I'd get to know. But his kisses hadn't been unpleasant at all. My skin still warmed when I thought of it and he definitely was nice to look at.

Not that good looks could cancel out cruelness, but so far he hadn't been cruel to me, and somehow I thought he wouldn't be, at least not intentionally.

She sighed.

"Yes, you're probably right."

Qina sank down on the toilet lid.

"I didn't sleep all night from worry about you. Couldn't you have sent me a text saying that he didn't pop your raspberry yet, at least?"

I began undressing.

"Sure. And then Father or Martial check your iPhone and see it. Then I'm doomed."