Cao spun at the familiar sound of Ling’s footsteps. The color drained from her face and pure panic spread across her features as she focused on someone behind him. She slapped a hand across her mouth and, with tears brimming in her eyes, whipped around, a hazy blur surrounding her.

“Ling, wait!” he called, too late, because that was no ordinary vapor forming across her. It settled in the shape of a…Sheep?

Ling was a Chosen?

Fuck.

No time to process the revelation, because Sheep bolted right through the crowd, over their heads, and down the mountainside.

Cao raced after her, nodding once at the Matchmaker and calling to everyone, “I got this.”

He leapt over the rails, hopping parkour-style down the hillside, over uneven rock and shrubbery, toward the direction Ling had taken.

Halfway down, he caught the faint resonance of muffled sobs. There. Using a tree branch, he swung onto a man-made balcony emerging from the side of a cave.

Ling lay crumpled in the center, clutching her middle, shoulders trembling and hushed whimpers escaping her.

“Ling?” He landed behind her, advancing cautiously so as not to startle her again.

She jolted and shook her head at him, before shifting away again. “What is he doing here?”

At least, that was what he thought she said. Hard to tell between the sniffling and cracked voice. She’s so very special, the Matchmaker’s words rang in his mind. He hadn’t pressed before for the answer, and now that he had it, he had to agree. The twelve Chosen of the Chinese Zodiac were special. Why in the hell hadn’t anyone let him in on this secret?

How was he supposed to protect her when he didn’t have all the information?

Sighing, he stamped down his frustration and approached Ling, crouching beside her. “I realize you don’t like immortals, and I treated your friends pretty poorly when I met them, but will you please explain what in the bloody hell just happened back there?”

It was hard to keep the anger from his voice. The resentment. Her stupid prejudice always wedged between them and he was damned tired of it.

She inhaled sharply and pressed her lips together, exhaling a quivering breath. “I’m sorry. Gods, everyone saw, didn’t they? I screwed up so bad.”

Her voice squeaked, full of pain, and his anger dissipated. “They’ll understand.” He rubbed a hand in a circle across her back.

“Lucy and Sheng… I crashed their wedding.” Her shoulders shook again with a sob and her respirations came in shallow, racing pants. She was on the verge of hyperventilating.

“This dress.” She tugged at it. “Can’t breathe.”

“Here, let me.” He unlaced the bodice, freeing some space for her overworking lungs. “Just breathe slow and deep. It’ll pass.”

She shuttered her eyes and did as instructed. He waited until she’d calmed to add, “Besides, it’s standard procedure for every wedding to have one crazy outburst. Yours was the tamest I’ve seen.”

She laughed and then groaned. “Oh, don’t joke. It was awful. I feel awful.”

“Eh.” He shrugged. “We’ll get them a nice wedding gift and they’ll forget about everything.”

The smile she offered was weak, and tilted sad right afterward.

The events flashed through his mind. Ling was a Chosen. Sheep. Why had M kept Ling’s identity from everyone, including the other Chosen? They sure as hell had worn shocked expressions while Sheep had trampled through the crowd.

Ling was a Chosen. Fuck. A sudden wash of unease spread through him. Chosen were descended from the Eight Immortals. No way Ling could be his descendant, right?

Cao whipped his phone from his pocket and seized Ling’s wrist. He should have done this the moment they’d met, but the idea hadn’t occurred to him.

“Hey, what are you…?” Ling protested, but he secured her index finger and pressed it against the disposable needle.

“Double-checking something,” he muttered, taking a sample of her blood.

* * *

Wait, what? Ling gaped, wincing as Cao pricked her finger. He glared at his phone until it beeped, and then exhaled a rush of breath.

“Let go,” she snapped, his grip on her wrist still tight.

“What, oh.” He examined the drop of blood welling on her finger and instead of releasing her, plopped her finger into his hot, wet mouth.

She swallowed, hard.

Cao flashed the screen to her. “We’re not related.” As though this somehow explained the finger-sucking.

She blinked and twisted her finger free. On top of the contraceptives, he had an app, too? Geez, the man was cautious. “Of course not. I would’ve mentioned something like that.”

“Yeah? Forgive me for not exactly finding you forthcoming and honest right now.”

She flinched. Cao was right. A whole crowd of people above them probably also felt the same way.

“M wouldn’t let me tell anyone. I’m sorry. It didn’t seem important.” She shook her head. “Sheep has never acted out before. If M had given me a heads up, I—”

“Who is it?” He cocked his head at her, those honey pools assessing. “Which one of us is your ancestor?”

This was the hard part. Most Chosen were descended from the Eight Immortals through centuries’ worth of lineage, but Ling wasn’t like the others.

“He’s not my ancestor.” She clenched her fists. “He’s my father.”

“Your dad?” Cao whistled low, frowning. “Who?”

“Han Xiangzi,” she puffed.

“No fucking way.” Cao snorted. “I’d have sworn that old dog didn’t even know there are other women on this planet. Wait, who’s your mum?”

“She was a servant on his island.” Ling repeated what she’d been told her entire life. “She died in childbirth.”

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, rubbing her back again. The comforting gesture relaxed her and made the story easier to share. “What did Han do to make you hate everyone like him so much?”

Since her secret was out, there was no point in hiding the rest. She collapsed forward and hugged her arms around her legs, resting her chin on her knees. “I grew up on his island, cared for by servants, rarely seeing my father, until that one day. My sixth birthday. He declared he’d take his daughter for a picnic.” She recalled how excited she’d been for her father’s love and an afternoon of his lavish attention. So naïve, so innocent. “We left, and he took us somewhere remote, flying on a cloud to get to a forested mountaintop. He opened this massive basket, spread out a red and white checkered blanket, and arranged the whole feast. But he said it was missing something. His favorite fruit.”

“Peach?” Cao offered.

“Yeah. Peach.” She scrunched her nose. “He promised he’d be right back.” She paused, the pain and trauma of the following events sticking in her throat.

“Let me guess.” Cao paused rubbing her back. “He wasn’t.”

* * *

Sonovabitch. Cao fisted his hands, grateful Han wasn’t standing in front of him. He might not be able to stop himself from beating the fool into a bloody mess.

“He wasn’t. Not that day, not even as the sky grew dark and the air got cold. Nor any day afterward. For thirteen days, I starved and wandered, eating nuts and berries, getting bruised and cut by the rough terrain, and wondering if I’d be lost forever. If not for Sheep, I would’ve died, but even Sheep couldn’t figure out how to get back from that magically enchanted mountain.”

Fucking hell. Thirteen days? For a six-year-old child to be lost, such was unfathomable. He clenched his fists tighter, anger pulsing through his veins. Now, he understood and recognized what had happened at the wedding. The event had traumatized Ling and she’d reacted accordingly—and Sheep had gotten her out of it.

“When he found me again, he was holding that stupid peach and gawking at me like I’d sprouted two heads. Like it was my fault he’d forgotten about me,” she grated, her teeth clenched. “Just a sad little mortal he treated like a pet he could forget to take care of. His excuse was he didn’t realize how much time had passed. He’d gotten distracted by something or other. He was sorry.” She scoffed. “Sorry he’d left me to die.”

Cao pinched the bridge of his nose, seeking control. “Then what happened?”

“M rescued me. When he brought me home, she was there, waiting. The moment she saw the dirt and scrapes covering me, she slapped him good.” Ling laughed ruefully. “Gave him an earful, and took me away. Set me up with my nǎi—with Da Xia. Promised she’d take care of me and no one would neglect me again.”

Ling’s story heightened his instincts to protect her, shelter her, and beat the crap out of anyone who tried to hurt her. He heaved in a calming breath. This wasn’t the time or place to get into it with Han. But, man. Ling sure had one hell of a justifiable reason to hate immortals. He was having a hard time discerning anything redeemable about his friend.

Sure, Han Xiangzi had a reputation for being heart-broken and lovelorn because his dragon princess was locked away, but damn. That was no excuse for neglecting his kid.

Ling sniffled and a single tear rolled down her streaked cheek. Gently, he brushed it aside with his thumb. “What he did was despicable. I’m sorry you went through that.”

“Thank you.” She glanced at him, those silver orbs big and round, lashes damp from her grief.

Gods, she was lovely. He could watch the starlight crossing her features for hours. She appeared so fragile, yet the power in her blood was formidable. “Technically, you’re kind of immortal, too.” He quirked his lips to lighten her mood.

“I’m mortal,” she corrected. “Sheep’s immortal, which only makes me along for the ride.”

“True, but it’s going to be a long and wild one.” He slipped his hand beneath her elbow, hopping to his feet and towing her upward with him. Her dress hung loosely about her bared shoulders, from the untied bodice. The slender column of her neck, the creamy tan of her skin, and those perfectly pink parted lips enslaved him. As her guardian, he was sworn to protect her. He was never allowed to fall for her. But in this moment, all he wanted was more.

He craved what he could never have.

Forbidden fruit and all that.

“Cao?” The soft murmur of his name drew his gaze to hers, to those shining pools entreating him with so much promise. In his many lifetimes, he’d never met a woman who wrenched on his heart how she did. The struggle inside was pretty bloody futile.

He had to kiss her.

Fuck the consequences.

* * *

Cao spread his hand through her hair and slanted his mouth down onto hers, stealing the hitch in her breath.

Ling froze at the flood of heat pouring from his lips, his breath fanning across her mouth, into her lungs. Tingling euphoria zinged along her skin, lighting her senses on fire.

He was tender but firm, a man who knew what he wanted and took what he claimed. His silky tongue dipped inside her mouth, brushing against her tongue, his large hand cradling her cheek and angling her face.

In truth, she hadn’t kissed many guys. M hadn’t encouraged her romantic endeavors. Even with what limited practice she’d had, it was clear the chemistry between her and Cao was exceptional. He made her lighter than air, and heavy as rock. Floating on a cloud and grounded to the earth, at the same time. He deepened their kiss, a masculine groan in his throat that was so sexy her toes actually curled.

He at last eased off with tiny, nipping, teasing kisses to her lips and cheeks, nose and forehead, the kind which made her feel cherished. Panting hard against the ramming of her heart inside her chest, she lifted her lashes to peer at him. Why did he kiss me?

Was it a reaction to her sob story? Or to this dress barely clinging to her body?

She pressed her fingers to her swollen lips. Cao raked a hand through his deliciously disheveled locks. He was impossibly even more gorgeous in the moonlight with lust burning in his eyes.

He kept one solid arm wrapped around her, thankfully, because her knees had gone weak. So this is what swooning feels like.

“We, ah, should go back.” He exhaled, heavily. “Back home, I mean. Not back there.”

She bobbed her head, not that she’d be able to refute the statement even if he’d said “go have tea with Han Xiangzi.”

It was kind of hard to think while staring into those depths, so intense and passionate. Like drowning in honeycomb. She’d die a happy bee, that was for sure.

“Okay,” she managed, sucking in a fortifying inhalation, “but first, I want to do that again.” Stretching onto her tiptoes, she pressed her mouth against his once more, drowning in the sensation of him. No one would see them here, anyway, so what did it matter. His kiss alone brought pulsing shivers of delight coursing through her, straight into her core, and the enthusiastic growl in his throat was enough to make her braver, to slide her hands down his chest, savoring his strength.

Suddenly, he wrenched his mouth off hers. “Ah, Ling?” He jerked backward, puzzlement drawing his brows together. “You’re…glowing.”

She started to smile, because what a sweet compliment, but the sparks firing off her arms caught her eye. Oh. Actual glowing. She shook her arm and the illumination disappeared. Closing and opening her fist, she studied her fingers. That had never happened before. Was it Sheep? Had to be Sheep. Guess the old spirit animal had gotten a little frisky, too. Right?

“Forgive me the interruption,” a chiming voice purred, “but I would have a word with Ling.”

* * *

M? Cao jolted backward from Ling. How much had she seen? Heard? Where the fuck on this island could they get a little damned privacy?

The Matchmaker’s crimson lips curved in that enigmatic manner they always did. She never revealed what she was actually contemplating.

“Of course.” Ling stepped to M’s side like an obedient puppy.

Shit, but he’d crossed a bunch of lines with M’s favorite pet human. Kissing his ward might not be so bad, but it was the dozens of dirty thoughts and plans he’d had for Ling that were the real offense. If he’d brought her home, no guessing where he would have stopped.

Sure as hell not with one kiss.

Dickhead. He clamped his jaw, the reality of their situation washing over him. Ling wasn’t the kind of girl one kissed and then fucked in the same day. She was pure, and compassionate, and…

Special.

M’s word, not his, but yeah, it fit Ling.

Even as she dutifully followed the Matchmaker into the cavern, there was no mistaking the sway the woman held over her. The protectiveness. The fondness, if M was capable of such.

At least, she’d saved him from a huge mistake.

Ling glanced back at him from over her shoulder, and Cao nodded at her. She’d acted as surprised as him by the wisps of electricity sparking off her skin. While he’d like to take the credit for his kiss making her become aglow, it wasn’t him.

It was the something “special” about her. Somehow, he sensed M hadn’t been talking about Sheep. This was another trait entirely.

He ought to return to the party and join the others. But hell, if he wasn’t curious why the Matchmaker had drawn Ling away. Stealthily, he stole inside the cavern, following the murmur of feminine voices.

Ahead, torchlight flickered off the rock walls, casting an amber glow. Deep rumbles of masculine proclamations rolled through the cave.

Cao crept to a boulder and peeked around it into the main chamber. Hmm. The Chosen had gathered. Sheng, Lucy, Kassian, Natalie, Price, Delun, and Fang.

M led Ling to the Chosen, who stood split into two groups. Those who’d joined with Tiger—Sheng, Lucy, Kassian, Natalie, and Fang—and those who’d joined with Dragon—Delun and Price. Eventually, they’d be split equally—six and six—to make the twelve Chosen. Several were missing, or hiding. Like Ling had been.

“It’s time,” the Matchmaker intoned, nudging Ling forward with a press to the small of her back.

“I’m so sorry,” Ling bleated, but Sheng waved off her apology and Lucy rushed forward to give her a tight squeeze.

“Don’t be,” Lucy hummed. “I was far worse when I first came out. Besides, learning you’re a Chosen is the best wedding present ever.” She pulled back, laughing, and glided to Sheng’s side.

“It’s your decision.” M swept a hand between Tiger, Sheng, and Dragon, Delun. “Choose wisely, my dear. Your future awaits.”

* * *

My future. Ling blew out a puff of air, glancing between Sheng and Delun. The obvious choice would be Sheng. She’d known Tiger longer. Was friends with Natalie and Lucy. She’d helped them both out of tight situations.

But then she shifted her gaze to Delun. He waited, arms loose at his sides, not tightly crossed like the other group. He and Price sent her open, relaxed grins. From within her, Sheep paced, but calmed as the other Chosen cloaked their spirit animals over them. Instead of her friends, she viewed Tiger, Rabbit, Rat, Ox, Snake in one group, and Dragon and Horse in the other. It was natural to allow Sheep to cloak her, too, the spirit animal’s essence floating over her.

In the end, this wasn’t her choice. It was Sheep’s.

Confidently, Sheep approached Dragon. The haze of a massive beast with a feline-esque head, feathered serpentine body, clawed feet, and speared tail towered above the small and unimpressive Sheep, but her beast didn’t waver.

“This is my choice,” Ling pronounced, and Delun inclined his head, extending one hand. Ling pressed her fingers against his, and Price snatched her other hand, the three of them grasping hands in a circle.

She held the air in her lungs while Delun plucked a piece of Sheep’s spirit and drew it into himself, joining them.

His resounding voice chanted,

Without hesitation, she repeated the words, in awe at this connection pouring through her. A sense of belonging, stronger than blood, than family.

Heck, they were her family now. These badass men and women who would risk everything to protect her.

Did that mean she didn’t need Cao anymore?

The union between them broke, leaving emptiness in its wake.

The answer which had for one instant seemed so clear twice to her tonight now evaded her completely.

Where do I belong?