The Concubine's Ascent

The madam pinched my chin, forcing me to look at the entwined pose of that pair of porcelain figurines. She said: "Remember this well—the value of pleasing a man with these two legs of yours is worth far more than ten years of earnings as an embroiderer." Three days ago I was being torn apart inside by my little brother's cries; now I knelt on the icy brick floor of the prince's residence, learning how to use my body to win the favor of a powerful patron. Until that door carved with coiling dragons opened before me, and in the flickering candlelight, that tall figure turned around—there was no desire in his eyes, only a dark, sinister smile of a predator appraising its prey. And I clutch...