Page 94 of Never Ever After

A sweet fragrance drifts from the brazier, the scent drawing me back to the tower in the swamp. Strange how it was a dream, and yet few things felt more real. I think of Jin, of waking beside him, remembering how his hair fell across his forehead. And of my sister, waiting beyond the palace walls. My chest clenches—

—and then, I fall.

My palms are pressed against the soft grass, the sun blazing down on my face, clouds of rose and gold rolling across the heavens. Butterflies dart over the meadow, as beautiful as the flowers they linger on. Iridescent rain falls from the skies, yet my clothes and hair remain dry—each jeweled drop caught between the grass until it glitters like a field of stars. A place this beautiful can only exist in a dream.

“Dian?” I call out as I push myself up. “Jin?”

There’s no answer. I start walking, I don’t know where, just that it’s better than doing nothing. Again and again, I call their names, until my throat is parched.

“Water,” I murmur to myself, looking around. The rush of a river catches my attention, and I hurry toward it. Crouching by the stream, I cup my hands to take a long drink.

A faint suspicion flares. “If only there were birds singing,” I say aloud, feeling more than a little foolish. At once, a flock of colorful birds descends upon a nearby tree, their beautiful songs bursting through the air.

This place… it’s my dream—mine to control. Is it because I burned the incense this time?

“I must find Dian.” My voice is stronger now, clearer. It should be Dian here; this is her magic.

The air quivers, the grass flattening as a trail of stones appears. I run toward it, trying not to think how long I have here. With each step, more stones emerge, those behind vanishing like water on sand.

“Yining!” Dian’s voice rings out from ahead of me.

She emerges from the trees, striding forward, her hair swinging over her shoulders. She hugs me tightly—and though it’s a dream, in my heart it’s real.

“What is this place?” I ask.

Her smile is tinged with sadness. “We’re both thinking of home. You may not remember, but your heart does.”

I stare around in wonder. “Is Mist Island this beautiful?”

“This is just one part of it. Like any place, there are darker corners too—but I love them all.” The sides of her mouth dip. “There isn’t much time until the incense burns out. What is happening? Are you safe?”

“Prince Zixin sealed the palace; no one can leave or enter until after his coronation.”

“We suspected this,” she says grimly. “Fortunately, Ruilin was able to escape and find me.”

“What about Jin?”

Her eyes pinch; she doesn’t like me asking about him. “Furious when he couldn’t enter the palace. Reckless, on the brink of stupidity.” Her scowl deepens. “His guards had to restrain him before he provoked the Iron Mountains soldiers further. The fool even argued with me about coming here to find you when this is my incense.”

“You knew I’d come?”

She grins at me. “You’re not the sort to weep and wait.”

“I came close,” I admit.

“We all do.”

She says this tentatively, sharing a part of herself that she keeps from others—as do I. Her eyes widen as she picks up the ring dangling from my neck. “You found it.”

“I convinced Prince Zixin to return it to me. But I don’t dare wear it yet.”

“You are weakening,” she observes bluntly. “Take more of the medicine. Try to keep from wearing your ring within the Palace of Nine Hills… but don’t wait too long.” She looks into my face, her expression somber. “If you must wear it, if there is any danger of discovery, you have to sever the root of your ring. Should it fall into the wrong hands, they will use it to find our home—it will endanger us all.”

“What happens if I remove the root?” I’m hoping I misunderstood what she told me before.

“Because you haven’t claimed your powers yet… the link to your magic will be broken, irrevocably. But this price must be paid.” She says this heavily, knowing how hard it will be—yet she’s not the type to soften her words.

I don’t know if I can do as she wishes; I want magic, to be strong like her. “It won’t come to that. Prince Zixin wouldn’t have returned my ring unless he trusts me.” I’m trying to assure myself too. “I need to get out, but I don’t have the Sun Dragon. I can’t get to it—blocked by a guardian, by magic. Do you know how to destroy it?”