Temptation of the Butterfly Read online

  Temptation of the Butterfly

  Dynasty Lords: A Qurilixen World Novel (Anniversary Edition)

  Michelle M. Pillow

  Temptation of the Butterfly (Dynasty Lords) © copyright 2006 – 2018 by Michelle M. Pillow

  Second Electronic Printing April 2018, Anniversary Edition, The Raven Books

  First Electronic Printing December 2006

  Previous Series Title: Zhang Dynasty

  * * *

  ISBN-13: 978-1-62501-159-6

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  Published by The Raven Books LLC

  All books copyrighted to the author and may not be resold or given away without written permission from the author, Michelle M. Pillow.

  This novel is a work of fiction. Any and all characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or events or places is merely coincidence. Novel intended for adults only. Must be 18 years or older to read.

  Contents

  About the Book

  Dynasty Lords Series

  Michelle’s Bestselling Series

  Author Updates

  Anniversary Edition

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  The series continues…

  His Frost Maiden

  About the Author

  Reading Guides

  Complimentary Material

  Love Potions (Warlocks MacGregor)

  Please Leave a Review

  About the Book

  Science Fiction Romance

  A princess expected to uphold honor and tradition, a man dishonored and shunned by the very society she rules. Their passion may be hot, their wills strong, but how can she fall for the man who might be trying to kill her?

  When her life is threatened by mysterious events only she can see, Princess Fen has more to worry about than finding a husband. Too bad her parents don’t feel the same way. Desperate to keep her from leaving the planet like her sister, they decide to play matchmaker, inviting wealthy, noble suitors to the palace.

  But it’s not a rich suitor who catches her eye, it’s the commoner, Aaron Piers—a man who’s past is clouded with dishonor, a man without family, a man she could never consider marrying. Though her desire for him burns hot, their relationship can never be. Besides, he might just be the one trying to kill her.

  Dynasty Lords Series

  The Pirate Prince

  (Listed under Lords of the Var Series)

  Seduction of the Phoenix

  Temptation of the Butterfly

  * * *

  Can’t find the books?

  Vendors links sometimes change.

  Updated Reading List and Links here: MichellePillow.com

  * * *

  To learn about new releases: Join the Mailing List

  Michelle’s Bestselling Series

  Qurilixen World Novels

  Dragon Lords Series

  Barbarian Prince

  Perfect Prince

  Dark Prince

  Warrior Prince

  His Highness The Duke

  The Stubborn Lord

  The Reluctant Lord

  The Impatient Lord

  The Dragon’s Queen

  * * *

  Lords of the Var Series

  The Savage King

  The Playful Prince

  The Bound Prince

  The Rogue Prince

  The Pirate Prince

  * * *

  Captured by a Dragon-Shifter Series

  Determined Prince

  Rebellious Prince

  Stranded with the Cajun

  Hunted by the Dragon

  Mischievous Prince

  Headstrong Prince

  * * *

  Space Lords Series

  His Frost Maiden

  His Fire Maiden

  His Metal Maiden

  His Earth Maiden

  His Woodland Maiden

  * * *

  Dynasty Lords Series

  * * *

  Seduction of the Phoenix

  Temptation of the Butterfly

  * * *

  Having trouble finding the books?

  Vendors links sometimes change.

  Updated Buy Links Here

  To learn more about the Dragon Lords World series of books and to stay up to date on the latest book list visit www.MichellePillow.com

  Author Updates

  To stay informed about when a new book is released sign up for updates:

  http://michellepillow.com/author-updates/

  Anniversary Edition

  Dynasty Lords: Seduction of the Phoenix is part of the Qurilixen World. The Qurilixen World is an extensive collection of science fiction and futuristic romance novels by award-winning author, Michelle M. Pillow. It’s hard to believe so much time has passed since the first Dragon Lords book was published (2004) and the Qurilixen World was born, and has since grown into a massive collection of books. Currently, there are 33 books and counting in 7 series installments.

  If you’re not familiar with the Qurilixen World series, I have a ton of information and reading lists on my website. It includes: Dragon Lords series, Lords of the Var series, Space Lords series, Dynasty Lords series, Captured by a Dragon-Shifter series, Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides series, and more! Watch for an exciting announcement to come in 2018 (Be sure to join my newsletter!).

  Browse the series at Qurilixen.com

  Over the course of my career I’ve written in many genres—futuristic, science fiction, historical, paranormal, fantasy, dark paranormal, contemporary, and most recently cozy mystery. I’ve written for many publishers—big New York and London traditional publishers, e-first and now indie self-pub. I’ve published many series, won national awards, spoken at conferences, made bestseller lists, started the successful The Raven Books with the awesome Mandy M. Roth, and met some wonderful readers. It’s been a wild ride. And I’m excited that I finally took the time to revisit these stories.

  As a writer you learn so much (or at least you should), and it was a pleasure to revisit and update this series. The series name has been changed from Zhang Dynasty to Dynasty Lords, mainly to help new readers match the titles to the series. So many have emailed over the years saying they had no idea that this spin-off series was part of the Qurilixen World.

  It is amazing to have readers still asking for more books in a world after over a decade. I am grateful every day for my readers. Thank you! Your emails, social media spreading of the word, and support of my work has been more than an author could ever hope for.

  It’s the reviews and sharing of readers like you that truly help a series maintain success.

  * * *

  Happy Reading!

  Michelle M. Pillow

  Prologue

  “Make her burn for me. Make her burn…”

  Thin trails of smoke curled in the air, surrounding the offering of wine and bread before disappearing along the latticework above the low altar. Darkness shadowed the room, hiding the lone figure who knelt in meditative prayer, rocking back and forth in desperation as passion burned inside him, deep, haunting, all consuming.

  The dark silk of his robes billowed into a glossy pool around his feet and fell past his hands to cover them completely. The material swam around him as if he were a child in his father’s clothing. Like most of the men on his planet, he wore his hair long, but he wasn’t like the other men, not really. He was different, a part of them but unaccepted.

  The man rocked faster, his whispered pants growing with each anxious twitch of his body.

  Soon. He’d see her again soon.

  “Make her burn for me, as I burn for her. Make her burn for me. I beg of you, honored ancestors. Bring me her heart. Make it burn.”

  Chapter One

  Imperial Palace of the Zhang Dynasty, Honorable City, Muntong Territory, Planet of Lintian

  * * *

  “Qing bang-zhu wo!” Princess Zhang Fen yelled in terror, as she tried not to inhale the thick black smoke which filled the air of her bedchamber. Fire danced in spiraling patterns all around her. She tried to escape through her front door, which led to the hall and front foyer of the building which housed the royal living quarters. Flames cut her off, engulfing the walls as they nearly seared her skin with the intensity of the heat.

  “Please, help me. Anyone,” she screamed again, but it did no good. No one came to rescue her. The royal quarters was only one building out of a great many which made up the imperial palace of Honorable City. How could no one hear her calls for help? Where were her brothers who shared the building with her? Had the fire already consumed them?

  A chill racked her spine, causing a brief shiver amidst the fiery temperature. The ghostly presence of her ancestors surrounded her, for who else could it be? Ancestors showed themselves to those they wished to guide, and she was in desperate need. Fen looked for their transparent forms, hoping they were there to lead her out of harm’s way. She couldn’t see them through the smoke.

  “Grandmother? Are you here?” she whispered, knowing her great-grandmother, Zhang An, would show herself if she was. Since her death, An had been residing in the Sacred Chamber hidden within the walls of the Hall of Infinite Wisdom.

  Fen was in good standing with the ancestors. She always left offerings, especially for An, who loved wine. Ever since Fen’s mother, the empress, had stopped leaving the drink for the old spirit, Fen had sneaked wine into the Sacred Chamber.

  The empress was upset with An because the spirit hadn’t been forthcoming when she’d predicted Princess Mei’s future. Everyone thought Fen’s sister would marry Prince Song Lok, whose family ruled the only other dynasty on the planet of Lintian. Instead, Mei had wed a space captain and was flying around the high skies, far away from her palace home. She’d just given birth to a son, the first royal grandchild. The empress missed her youngest daughter dearly and resented not having an active hand in raising the boy.

  “Grandmother An, if you get me out of this, I promise to leave you twice as much wine tonight.” Fen watched the smoke for any sign that she was heard. Still there was no answer. Out of all her ancestors, An meddled in their lives the most.

  Then, where was she? What better time to meddle?

  Right now, Fen would take the help of any of the spirits who resided within the palace. They could be anywhere at any time, but usually avoided private areas like bedrooms.

  Another chill washed over her and she knew a spirit was close, but she couldn’t see who. Why weren’t they helping her escape? Or was there no escaping these flames? Were they waiting for her to join them in death?

  “I’m not ready. I’m not ready,” Fen said, tears welling in her eyes. Part of her clung to the hope of liberation, believed so fully she’d be saved that she didn’t consider the possibility of getting hurt. But, as no one came and the flames grew, she wasn’t as confident. “Qing, please, I’m not ready. I’m not ready to die!”

  The dark silk on her bed melted and curled with the heat, matching the melting silk tapestries that burned along her walls. Her gaze flew to the thin doorways separating the chambers of her room. Both doors had burned, revealing the rooms beyond. Her living space and her decontaminator room were also on fire.

  “Grandfather Manchu?” she asked, hoping to appeal to Zhang An’s son. The two were often at odds, but if one wasn’t going to help her then maybe the other spirit would. The building housed the private quarters of the royal siblings, and she prayed her brothers had gotten out safely and would find a way to rescue her. “I beg you, Manchu, help me. Protect me. Protect my family.”

  Wood crackled as she once more tried to reach the thick bedroom door which would lead to the outside hall and to safety. A piece of the door fell away and she saw the hall on the other side. It looked fresh and clean, unlike her bedroom. Smoke charred the gold inlay on the carved wood, and she was forced to her knees as it became harder to breathe. The tears in her eyes dried before they could trail down her hot cheeks, as all moisture was sapped from the air.

  A large beam fell from the ceiling and she screamed, scrambling back to curl into a ball. There was nowhere to go.

  “Qing, help!” Fen closed her eyes tight, trying to gain the courage to push through the flames toward safety. “Qing, I don’t want to die like this.”

  “Princess?”

  A shout followed by the crash of her door sounded over her, propelling her into action. Finally, she was saved. Before opening her eyes, she stood. “I’m here—”

  Fen froze, her voice dying in her throat as the heat instantly left her skin. The flames were gone and the room stood exactly as it had before the fire started—from the wrinkled covers on her bed where she’d been sleeping, to the delicate butterfly and peony patterns on her rugs.

  She coughed, a small puff of smoke leaving her lips, the only evidence as to what had happened moments before. She panted for breath, still choked from the heat as she looked around in shock. Embroidered blue silk again hung over her walls and lay across her bed. The thin doors were shut, completely unharmed as they hid the living area and decontaminator from view.

  Shaking, she looked at the main door in confusion. Its gold inlay shone like it had before she went to bed, the thick wood unmarred.

  Dark blue eyes, the shade of her favorite color, met hers over the short distance. They belonged to the man waiting in the entryway, his body tense as if ready for battle.

  “Princess?” the man repeated, his deep tone softer this time. The rich, low sound of his voice rolled over her like cooling water to her heated skin.

  Fen was too stunned to answer. A new fire sprang to life inside her stomach, curling with a gentle warmth. What had happened to the flames in her bedchamber? What magic did this man have that could stop fire and make it as if it had never happened?

  Her limbs went numb as she looked at his handsome face. A rush of gratitude came over her, even though there was no longer any fire to be rescued from. Part of her wanted to run to him, throw her arms around him in thanks for stopping the flames, to sprinkle grateful kisses on his cheeks and bless him for what he’d done. But there was more than gratitude that hit her when she looked at him. It was an improper feeling, a feeling of attraction and interest, a curling of awareness that here stood a man, alone with her in her bedchambers where no others were allowed. The rule was not one of the palace, but her own. Men only brought complication, and she did not wish to be gossiped about by the palace servants.

  “If you have no need of my services, Princess, please excuse me.” The man bowed politely and moved to pull the door shut.

  She gaped, wide-eyed at him, not wanting him to go but not knowing what to say to make him stay.

  “Duibuqi. Excuse me, Princess, I did not mean to intrude—”

  “Wait,” Fen demanded just before the door shut completely, finally compelled to spe ak.

  The man stopped, and he opened the door once more, standing at rigid attention. His eyes did not meet hers again, and she finally felt as if she could breathe in his presence. She studied him, feeling a pull toward him. Had she seen him somewhere before? Did she know him? He wasn’t dressed as a palace guard, nor was he dressed as a noble. The plain black of his clothing was oddly devoid of any decoration, though it was spun from silk and had the traditional Mandarin collar and frog buttons.

  Fen continued to study him, her mind wrapping completely around the mystery. His brown hair was long, pulled into a traditional topknot. Though there was a hint of Lintianese in his strong features, his cheekbones were too prominent, and his lips curved in such a way as to make them unfamiliar.