Hell to Heaven by Kylie Chan Page A

to sleep when a demon servant crept into my quarters and hesitated beside the door.
    ‘Don’t be afraid,’ I said gently. ‘Tell me.’
    ‘The Lord of the East, the Blue Dragon Qing Long, is here and requests audience, madam,’ the demon said, its voice barely above a whisper.
    ‘Show him into the formal salon,’ I said. After the demon had gone I tapped the stone with my nose. ‘Hop back on—the Dragon wants to talk to me.’
    The stone grumbled quietly as it floated its setting onto the top of my head. I twisted my head a couple of times to make sure the crown fitted comfortably, then I slithered to the salon. The audience chamber was the place where the Emperor and his concubine would formally meet and discuss any issues arising from the management of the household. I couldn’t imagine John ever using it—he wasn’t a fan of formality—and so wasn’t surprised that the furniture, which was probably at least a thousand years old, appeared as new. I slid up onto the black and silver silk cushions of the throne, which was two metres long and intricately carved with serpents.
    The Dragon was escorted in by the demon; he fell to one knee in front of me, saluting. ‘This humble servant greets his master,’ he said, then rose again.
    I bowed my head. ‘You are welcome, my Lord. Please, sit and drink tea with me.’
    A stool that looked very much like a piano stool was brought for the Dragon, and a small table with tea was placed in front of him. The demons were so quietand smooth in their movements it was as if the furniture arrived by itself.
    I stretched out on the soft cushions, enjoying the sensation on my serpent belly. ‘What can I do for you?’
    The Dragon raised his teacup. ‘Finest Celestial tea I’ve had in a long while, ma’am.’ He sat slightly straighter. ‘I know you don’t like wasting time on formal protocol, so I’ll get straight to the point. I hear that you are living in this pavilion designed for a concubine rather than in the Empress’s Pavilion as is fitting.’
    ‘The architect estimates a cost of ten jin of jade to make the necessary alterations to the Dark Bliss Pavilion. I’m just as comfortable staying here, so we won’t be making the changes,’ I said.
    He nodded, unsurprised. ‘That is a great deal of money, ma’am. But if you extended the Pavilion of Dark Bliss, the fung shui aspects would be perfectly aligned. As well as that, you would have more room for your clothes, your make-up, all your feminine necessities—’
    I cut him off. ‘Snakes don’t need clothes or make-up. Where is this going?’
    ‘One day you will be able to take human form here, ma’am, I’m sure of it. If you were to extend Dark Bliss as they have suggested, it would not only improve the harmonious resonance of the building, it would provide you with more space for all your needs.’
    ‘I fail to see where this is heading, Dragon.’
    ‘I would hate to see a beautiful lady such as yourself unable to make herself as attractive as she possibly can for the return of her lover. I would like to help.’
    ‘You want to help? How?’
    ‘How about I pay for the additions to the pavilion? It would be my pleasure, ma’am. I know that theNorthern coffers have been drained by the recent difficulties, while the East remains strong. Let me do this thing for you.’
    I hesitated a moment, studying him, then said, ‘And what do you want in return?’
    ‘Well, I will have more of a budget for the renovation if I do not have to pay such ridiculously exorbitant prices for the leaves for my silk factories.’
    I stared at him, stunned.
    He shrugged and smiled slightly. ‘You are a beautiful woman, Lady Emma. It is such a shame that you do not have the space to allow you to enhance your appearance to the utmost—for your Lord, of course. With the space for proper baths and personal care staff here, you would always look your best. I can provide you with clothing assistants, make-up artists and hair