Foundation of Smoke and Steel

Chapter 156

AnmeiOh.

Anmei liked the sexy scholar.

That was the unavoidable conclusion she came to as they moved from the shattered opening into the fortress proper. She had known she was attracted to Ethan Zhou in an abstract, teasing sort of way—how could she not be, with how visible and different the man was? But, even she had to admint, at first it had been a joke, something to needle Vivian with, a way to stir the ice queen just enough to be entertaining.

The moment the man reached their battlefield, her attraction took a left turn.

The man showed up, tore through a fully armored Murai with a weapon that made no sense, took command as if it had always belonged to him, and bent chaos into order without raising his voice. Most men were full of hesitation, indecision and bravado. They lacked certainty and quick thinking. Not this man; he had the kind of swagger that came from a mind that functioned clearly under pressure and had the balls to follow through with tough decisions.

It reminded her of her father back at the Emberflower Pavilion. Maybe it was the clarity. The ability to command. The quiet confidence that made people listen without realizing they were obeying.

Damn. Just damn.

Anmei looked at Vivian and was suddenly, inexplicably annoyed. What the hell was wrong with her? Vivian had left this man “unclaimed,” keeping her marriage bond untethered for what reason exactly? Anmei had to wonder if the woman was blind or simply stupid.

“Hi.”

Anmei turned at the sound of a young man’s voice and found herself facing Nathan Li. She knew him by reputation more than experience. He was a sword prodigy—absurdly talented, dangerously enthusiastic, and very much Vivian’s younger brother.

She smiled slowly.

“And how can I help you, Young Master Li?”

Nathan scratched the back of his head. “You know me. Perfect. That makes things easier. I was wondering if you’d like to get drinks.”

Anmei blinked once. Then arched an eyebrow.

“Drinks?” she echoed. “We’re about to be besieged by another army.”

Nathan waved a hand. “Yes, yes, yes. But my brother in law will take care of them just like he did the last one. Besides, there’s always time for drinks.”

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She laughed, genuinely amused. “I’m sorry, Young Master Li. You’re a little young for me.”

Nathan rolled his eyes. “You can’t be more than a few years older than I am.”

“Oh,” she said lightly, “I didn’t mean young in years. I meant young in confidence and command.”

That stopped him.

She leaned in just enough to make her point. “Come back after you’ve led an army.”

Nathan straightened, offended pride flaring. “I’m a sword prodigy. One of the best young swordsmen in the Empire.”

Anmei considered him, then smiled. “All right, then. If you can beat me in a one-on-one fight, I’ll have that drink with you.”

Nathan’s grin returned, bright and immediate. “Done.”

Before he could say anything else, the movement of the larger group drew their attention.

Ethan, Vivian, and Princess Sophie were already moving deeper into the fortress, Ethan issuing orders without pause.

“Listen,” Ethan called out, his voice carrying. “We have another army inbound. We need to reinforce the breach immediately. Are there any geomancers available? Anyone who can work fast on stone and structure?”

Two Li retainers stepped forward and bowed. “Young Master Zhou. We can stabilize the wall, but we’ll need someone familiar with the local warding schemes. These arrays aren’t ours.”

Ethan nodded once. “Understood. Is there anyone here who can key my people into the existing wards?”

“I can.”

A man stepped forward, tired but composed, wearing the insignia of civic office rather than armor.

“Mayor Elor Damaris of Crescent Hyr,” he said. “And you must be Ethan Zhou.”

Ethan blinked. “You know me?”

“Not personally,” the mayor replied dryly. “Even out here we’ve heard of your exploits and reputation. It also helps that once you were identified on the battlefield, half the women in this city started talking about you.”

Ethan glanced reflexively at his sisters, at Sophie, and at Vivian. All three looked away. Slightly pink.

That was… unexpected.

He turned back to the mayor. “If you can guide my geomancers through your ward structures, we’ll try to seal the breach.”

“We’ll do what we can,” Damaris said. “We understand that we’re not out of danger yet.”

“Agreed,” Ethan replied. “How long until the next force arrives?”

A voice answered from behind. “Eight hours. Maybe less, if they push hard.”

Ethan nodded. “Then we bring in the leaders. I want the captain of the Wardens of Sera and whoever’s commanding the Bowcasters. We need a plan, and we need it fast.”

That was when Anmei decided she was done being subtle.

She stepped forward, slipped neatly into Ethan’s space, and bowed with practiced elegance.

“Anmei Lu of the Emberflower Pavilion,” she said smoothly. “I enjoy long walks, good food, and passionate nights. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow then gave her a bemused smile and a slight bow. “Anmei Lu. One of the Four Beauties of the Empire. Your reptuation proceeds you. I am Ethan Zhou”

She smiled, pleased, and glanced down at herself with deliberate poise. “I’m flattered you know me, Master Zhou.”

A snort sounded from behind them.

“Please,” Nathan said loudly. “Give it a rest. Like you could tempt my brother-in-law.”

Anmei turned, eyeing him with interest. “Careful, Young Master Li. Confidence is attractive. Overconfidence is adorable.”

Nathan opened his mouth.

Ethan cleared his throat. “Everyone—focus. Flattery later. We have a city to defend.”

Anmei stepped back, still smiling, eyes bright with interest.

Oh yes.

This was going to be very entertaining