Taming of Mei Lin Read Online Free Page B

make any demand you wish.” She looked down demurely. “You did win our duel.”
    He fidgeted with the strap of his pack. “Perhaps my travels will take me back this way one day.”
    It wasn’t quite a promise, but her heart leaped. If they weren’t in the middle of town, would he have kissed her? She was already spinning dreams in her head.
    “Lady Wu,” he said with a slight bow. And then added, “Mei Lin.” He lingered over her name like a slow caress.
    “Master Shen.”
    And with that, he was gone.
     
    Mei Lin hefted the basket in her arms and hurried through the woods surrounding town. Auntie Yin had protested that the wash didn’t yet need to be done, but Mei Lin had grabbed several clean articles of clothing before rushing out. There was a view of the road from a bend in the river. If she hurried, she might catch just one more glimpse of her swordsman.
    “Eh, Mei Lin!”
    The hated Chen Wang. What was he doing out here without his cronies anyway? She skirted around him.
    “Wait, where are you going so quickly?”
    “I’m busy.”
    “It seems even the great Shen Leung can’t bear your temper.”
    She ignored the heat rising up the back of her neck and walked faster.
    He clung to her like a shadow. “Maybe toothless Lo needs a wife.”
    “How’s the eye, Wang?” she countered.
    There was a notable break in the determined rhythm of his footsteps behind her. “I was drunk!”
    All of her skirmishes with Wang and his brood seemed inconsequential now, like incidents from another life. Shen Leung had brought a new awareness that her corner of the world was so small. Beyond these woods were greater towns and cities, glittering palaces and dangerous missions.
    She spun around to chase Wang and his mosquito buzzing away, but a hulking figure among the trees caught her eye.
    “Wu Mei Lin.”
    Another stranger with her name on his lips. This time a cold shudder ran down her spine as the intruder’s black eyes skimmed over her from head to toe.
    Wang shoved himself between them. “Who are you?”
    “Let’s just say an acquaintance of Lord Zhou. He sends his regards.”
    Zhou again. But this one didn’t look like the other fools who had strutted into town. He didn’t move like them. His eyes never left hers while he stalked toward them, taking up all the space in the clearing. There was a knife at his belt. Her hands tightened over the basket.
    Her swords were tucked away beneath her mattress. Their little town had always been a quiet place. A safe place.
    The stranger grinned. His teeth gleamed against the darkness of his beard. “You’re as pretty as Zhou said.”
    “Wang, get out of here.”
    But Wang stood fast. “Run, Mei Lin.”
    Blood pumped through her, sick with fear. She threw the laundry basket at the stranger’s head. At the same time, Wang leaped forward and threw his arm over the man’s neck. The skinny merchant’s son wrestling an ox by the horns.
    “Run!” Wang shouted.
    “Yes, Mei Lin,” the stranger mocked. “Run.”
    There was a snap followed by a howl of pain. She looked back to see Wang on the ground. His face was twisted in agony. He had one hand clutched over his arm.
    But Zhou’s minion had no interest in Wang. He came after her, his long stride closing the distance between them. Her heart was hammering so hard it took over her senses. Her head pounded. Her hands shook.
    She aimed a kick for his groin, but he was ready for it. Her foot landed against his thigh and he laughed at her. In desperation, she struck at his throat. The heel of her palm connected and he staggered back, wheezing. Behind him, Wang had pulled himself onto his knees.
    “Get help,” she called out.
    She was running again, dodging toward the trees and praying she was fast enough. Suddenly the forest looked foreign to her. Nothing made sense. Her legs felt sluggish in her panic. A rough hand clamped onto her arm and jerked her backward.
    Something struck her across the face. The pain blinded her