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He was on his feet, sword drawn before being conscious of waking. What had disturbed his wards? The fading glow of a portal answered that question. He’d made Qing Ming an exception to them, his exception to everything even to the teachings of his own sect. Jingyun Temple taught denial of the flesh but the desire he felt for him— It didn’t matter anyway. Nothing could possibly come of it.
He lit his oil lamp, a pitiful whimper guiding him to a tiny furry body lying on the floor. It was a jet-black kitten, barely old enough to be weaned. The elders did not allow pets considering them to be a needless self-indulgence, but they did have barn cats. He gently scooped it up and sat on the edge of his bed, cradling it. At closer range he could see little scratches across its face and a small but deeper wound on its left shoulder before he moved it off his lap. He was immediately worried. Had some catastrophe befallen Qing Ming? Had he made a failed attempt to open a portal which the kitten had accidentally fallen through? He tried Qing Ming’s sigil and his magic ear without response. The problem was, he’d never visited his house any other way. What if—
The kitten whimpered again. He fetched medicinal herbs and a basin of water. He’d never treated a cat’s wounds before but didn’t think it could be much different. He carefully cleaned the wounds, expecting but not getting little razor-sharp claws dug into him in response and applied a healing salve. Thankfully, the shoulder wound did not appear to require stitches. On unsteady legs, it rubbed against his hand, purring loudly.
It hurt to admit it but there was nothing he could do until— unless contacted. Jingyun Temple masters weren’t given to flights of fancy but if Qing Ming had died, he would know it. He lay down again, placing the kitten next to him. He wouldn’t sleep but should conserve his energy. Another whimper alerted him to the kitten shivering so he brought it under the quilt. It stayed still for a matter of minutes before scaling his chest, trying to burrow under the front of his robe. He saw no harm in letting it, loosening the ties. The heat of its little body over his heart was strangely comforting.
He must have drifted into a light sleep lulled by its purring, but a sudden heavy mass across his chest woke him. Qing Ming! Currently naked his treacherous brain added. He had grazes on his face and a healing wound on his shoulder.
“You’re a kitten!” He must think him an idiot.
He looked amused.
“You’re alive!” He really was an idiot.
He started to laugh at him, so he kissed him. He was clumsy, it being his first kiss, but Qing Ming obviously didn’t mind as he kissed him back, adjusting his head to a better angle. He wanted to glory in his response but found A-Ming’s mouth and hands far too distracting as he stripped him bare and showed him just how much pleasure indulging in the flesh with his man would bring him.
He wasn’t certain he should ask. It felt so good to be wrapped in his arms at last. “I have a question…”
“All right.” A-Ming turned him so they were face to face.
“How did you end up being a kitten?”
He laughed. “That wasn’t the important question I was expecting but then you already know the answer to that one.” He pressed their foreheads together. “A sorceress attacked me in the woods. She told me she was going to transform me into a kitten— What’s with evildoers and exposition anyway?”
“Hmm.” He felt far too languid to manage much of a response.
“—to prevent me from transforming into a fox, making me easier to kill.” His hands tightened on him. “I can’t you know.”
“Can’t what?”
“Transform into a fox. I’m still not sure if I’m part fox demon but I can’t do that.” He sounded on edge, probably dwelling on Bo Ya’s initial reaction to that revelation.
“A-Ming!” This time he managed irritated. He loved him. Gods help him but if he turned out to be a Jiuweihu that still wouldn’t change.
His smile was beautiful. “Forewarned, I formed a small portal as she transformed me and stumbled through it when she kicked me.”
“Kicked you?” She’d dared to kick the fuzzy little A-Ming— kitten! “We should hunt her down right now.”
He went to sit up but A-Ming pulled him back in. “She’ll keep, but I won’t. Now where were we?”
His sect valued thorough guidance, so he was happy to remind him.