The thought, the racing, greedy, shameful thought, was there. The image, the flash, the brief, involuntary image of herself, at Divine Transcendent realm, at Tianlong's level, powerful enough to protect Brother Mu, powerful enough to destroy their enemies, powerful enough to never be vulnerable again — the image was there.
'If I... if I let him... if I become his... I could be the strongest woman in the dynasty. Stronger than my father. Stronger than my brothers. Strong enough to protect Brother Mu. Strong enough to—'
The image of Shen Mu. The sword brother. Her ally. The man she had trusted for years. The man she had secretly, quietly, without admitting it even to herself, come to care for. The face, the sharp, young, determined face, flashed in her mind.
"No," she said. Her voice was trembling. "You... this is taboo. But I..."
