Burning Tigress (47 page)

God did indeed work in mysterious ways.

"Are you reading the letter again?" Ken Jin asked.

Charlotte looked up as her husband walked into their bedroom. He looked tired and dusty from the day's work, but his smile was warm and full of promise.

She smiled. "I still cannot believe that William and Nanny..." Her words faded as her husband claimed her lips. The letter slipped from her hand as her thoughts shifted and her body heated. It was some time later before she had the breath to speak. "I like it when you come home early."

"I have thought of nothing else all day," he answered as he stood and stripped out of his jacket. A knock sounded on the door, and he turned to answer it. A maid stood respectfully at the door, lifting up a dinner tray. Ken Jin took it, then carefully shut the door.

Charlotte smiled. "Dinner in our bedroom? Scandalous!"

"A Tigress must keep up her strength. Especially when she carries a cub."

Her hand went reflexively to her growing belly. Who knew that pregnancy could feel so delightful? She hadn't suffered any of the usual complaints, and her husband found her condition endlessly attractive, not that she'd had any difficulties in that area before.

He pressed a hot dumpling into her mouth, and she closed her eyes to savor the sweet meat. Then she felt his hands on her shoulders and back as he gently pressed into energy points that soothed her aches.

"How do you feel today, my wife?" He never seemed to tire of calling her that. She grinned as she stretched closer to him.

"Well enough to practice," she responded. "Indeed, I have thought of nothing else all day."

"Are you sure—"

She cut off his words on a kiss. She had never been more sure of anything else in her life. They would reach Heaven tonight. Everything felt right. Even the weather was cooperating, giving them a balmy breeze that stirred the curtains and cleared the humidity from the room.

"Very well," Ken Jin responded as his hands shifted to her breasts. "Then let us begin."

* * *

Angel William opened his arms and Charlotte flew into them. Beside her, Ken Jin bowed with respect. They were in the Chamber of a Thousand Swinging Lanterns again, and this time all was different. It was also exactly the same. Like before, William was whole and so wondrous, Charlotte could not take her eyes from him. But this time, Ken Jin's form was equally stunning, filled with light and strength and love.

"William," Charlotte whispered, wishing she had the words to say more.

"Welcome," he said with a radiant smile. "Welcome to you both."

"Master William," Ken Jin said as he stepped forward. "I am greatly honored to be here."

"We are pleased to have you. You may visit at any time, but perhaps you would be more comfortable inside." So saying, he turned and gestured to the side where a light began to grow and expand. Soon Charlotte saw a gateway and a palace beyond where beings of such light and beauty walked.

"Heaven," whispered Ken Jin, awe suffusing his entire being.

"You are welcome here," William said as they stepped through the gate. "Whenever you choose to come. And here I can answer whatever questions you may have."

It was too much. The joy, the beauty, the truth was too much for her to handle, and Charlotte trembled before it. With her fear came weight. Her spirit grew heavy, and she began to slip away, falling back to Earth. "Help me!" she cried.

She thought that her brother would help her. He was the celestial being, the angel of power. But when she reached out, she found Ken Jin instead. His hand held hers, his love buoyed her up.

"Do not be afraid," Angel William said from beside her.

"I am here," said Ken Jin.

She took his hand and filled her soul with his love. With him beside her, she had the strength to face anything. Her spirit lightened again; then hand in hand, they followed William into Heaven.

They wouldn't stay long. She knew that. All too soon their combined qi would falter and their spirits would tumble back to their bodies on Earth. Such was the nature of life on Earth. But they would return; she knew that as well. With a love as strong as theirs, all of Heaven and Earth was open to them.

The End

Page forward for exciting excerpts from Jade Lee's
 

Cornered Tigress

Tempted Tigress

White Tigress

Hungry Tigress

Desperate Tigress

Excerpt from

Cornered Tigress

The Way of The Tigress

Book Five

by

Jade Lee

USA Today Bestselling Author

CORNERED TIGRESS

Awards & Reviews

5 Stars – Night Owl Reviews

~

"Jade Lee again amazes with another addition to her Tigress series."

~Night Owl Reviews

A lively fish is a good omen. Its tenaciousness symbolizes the fish's immortality. Thus, to eat a fish that fights to the very end is to ingest the ultimate in long life and good fortune
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Chapter 1