Page 29 of Immortal

I took a bite of the rice dumpling, though my appetite had waned. “Have you been punished on the Dragon Platform before?”

“No.”

Of course not. He was the queen’s most trusted and respected warrior, now brought low because of me.

“Is it dangerous, for an immortal?” I asked.

“It depends on the severity of the strikes, the element channeled. Lightning is the harshest. After that would be Fire, Water, then Earth.”

I set my chopsticks down, my desire for food gone. “Which will be yours?”

“It depends on Her Majesty’s mood.”

Queen Caihong might want to humble her God of War, but she wouldn’t harm him—it would only hurt herself. Yet when I recalled the queen’s rage, fear gripped me again. “What if you die?”

His expression shuttered. “I don’t intend to.”

When he rose to leave, I caught his sleeve, unintentionally grazing his wrist. His skin was cold, or was mine too warm? The heat of the Divine Pearl Lotus pulsed through me constantly. I’d grown used to it; a familiar presence.

“That doesn’t answer my question.” If only my voice didn’t shake.

Anything that weakens these immortals, strengthens us. If the Golden Desert is in turmoil, maybe Tianxia can break free, a voice inside me whispered. But one thing emerged clear amid the chaos of my mind: No matter what . . . I didn’t want the God of War to die.

When his gaze fell to my hand, I dropped his sleeve as though scalded. “Are you concerned about me?” he asked, a small smile playing on his lips.

Did he expect a heartfelt confession? Tears of gratitude? Such arrogance, as was the way he seemed assured of the answer he was casting for.

“Of course,” I replied, wide-eyed. “If anything happened to you, who would bring me home?”

I’d have said anything to wipe the pleasure from his face, but as his smile vanished, the small victory left me hollow.

“My attendants will escort you back should anything happen to me. Her Majesty will also ensure your safety.”

“It’s more likely Her Majesty will send me home in pieces,” I said, forgetting for a moment to whom I spoke.

His brow furrowed as he said sternly, “Don’t speak this way of Her Majesty. Don’t judge her.”

“Why? Because I’m mortal?” I asked bitingly.

“Because you know nothing.”

Such condescension sparked my fury. I wanted to strike out at him, to hurt him the only way I could.

“One thing I do know,” I hissed, rising to my feet, “is that I’ll relish watching you get humbled today. I hope the punishment hurts. I hope it brings you to your knees.” Wicked words, but a devil possessed me in that moment, one with a knife for a tongue and a stone for a heart.

His eyes blazed, turning into those of a dangerous predator I’d made the mistake of baiting. “It will take more than a few blows to bring me to my knees. Take a front seat and enjoy the spectacle. I’ll be watching you. If you flinch, I’ll know you for a coward and liar.”

As he stalked from the room, I found my hands clenched. Our masks had slipped. While it was better to have my path cleared, a line drawn—I couldn’t indulge my temper again. I had to earn his trust, not push him away, though he excelled at infuriating me.

I followed him reluctantly, grinding the grass beneath my feet with each step—coming to an abrupt halt in the courtyard by the entrance. The God of War was standing beside a magnificent creature, caught between a dream and a nightmare. Fiery feathers curled from a wide body, a spiked crown springing from its forehead. Curved talons dug into the earth, crumbling the immaculate lawn. And those eyes . . . I suppressed the urge to shy from those luminous orbs as the creature cocked its head at me, its beak parting as though anticipating its next meal.

“You didn’t like flying by cloud,” Lord Zhangwei said stiffly. “I thought you’d prefer riding a phoenix to the palace. Your natures are somewhat similar.”

As the phoenix reared and swiped at me with its claws, I darted back, burying my surprise at the immortal’s consideration. “Will it eat me?”

“Not unless you antagonize it.” Lord Zhangwei stroked its head with a sure hand.

When the phoenix lowered itself to the grass, the god climbed upon it, then extended a hand to me. I grasped it and scrambled upon the creature, pulling away the moment I could, my body tense. The phoenix’s feathers were soft, despite their needle-like barbs. As I bent to examine them, they glinted like iron.