Page 95 of Never Ever After
“Jin told me,” she says. “We must consult the Elders, as I’ve never encountered this before. Regardless, it’s too dangerous for you to remain there, with your ring. We’ll find another way to rescue the dragon. Jin can return to the palace after the coronation, now he knows exactly what he’s searching for.” She adds, “We considered creating a distraction from the outside, but Jin believes it will only worsen matters as Prince Zixin is already on edge.”
“He’s right. We need to lull the prince into believing everything is under control.”
“Then you’ll need to find a way out,” Dian says adamantly. “Can you escape? Once you’re over the palace walls, we’ll get you to safety.”
I think of the additional guards watching me, those in my courtyard, the way my head pounds, and the spells of dizziness and fatigue that crash over me with increasing ferocity. “I’ll find a way.”
“Stay clear of the palace entrances. Both the East and West Gate are closely watched with far more soldiers patrolling the grounds.”
“If only I could leave now,” I say, filled with urgency.
“Not tonight. It will be dawn soon, harder to move undetected. Moreover, we need reinforcements. According to Jin, they will arrive tomorrow.”
My heart sinks at the thought of remaining one more day. “Tomorrow night then. The day before His Highness’s coronation.”
Dian glances at the skies. “Our time together is ending.”
I swallow hard. “There was only one piece of incense. I won’t be able to speak to you again.”
“We will be ready,” she assures me. “Tomorrow, at midnight. Make your way to Ruilin’s courtyard; it will be quieter given it’s no longer occupied. Ruilin says the back of her garden opens to a path that leads to the outer walls. We’ll wait for you on the other side.”
“I will be there.” I must believe this or I won’t dare to try.
The winds shifts, growing colder. Leaves rustle, falling to the ground as the flowers around us begin to shrivel. I don’t want to return to my cage—the one I never left.
Dian’s form wavers. “Keep safe. Don’t die. Mother is gone, but I’ll not lose you too.”
“I’m not that easy to kill.” My smile hides my fear.
Dian swings around abruptly, muttering a curse. A tall man is striding toward us, impatience in his every step, a lock of his hair falling into his eyes. Heat stirs inside me at the memory of his touch, how he kissed me just last night.
“There are only a few moments left,” Dian says tersely. “Take care, Sister. I will see you soon.”
As she fades away like mist, Jin reaches me, taking my hand. “I should never have left you.”
“They would have forced you to leave the palace. They planned this.”
“Are you all right?” he asks.
“I just have to wait till tomorrow night to escape.”
“Our reinforcements should arrive then,” he assures me.
“How can they get here so quickly from Thorn Valley?”
“When our horses are in their natural form, they travel more swiftly. We will get you out, even if I have to break down their walls.” His gaze holds mine, golden-bright. “Wherever I am, wherever you are—I will come for you.”
His words, so gravely spoken, carve away some of my fear. Yet he’s already fading, reality tugging apart the seams of our dream. I’m not thinking right now as I lean toward him, my lips parting. He draws closer… so close, his warmth glides over me. He traces my face with his fingertips like he’s memorizing each line. I am cold inside, but his touch is pure fire.
“If only this were real,” he whispers.
“It is,” I reply.
All goes dark. And then I wake alone in my room, back in the Palace of Nine Hills.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
I ’m lying on the bed, shivering and aching all over, the pain in my head intensifying. My hand is clenched by my side to hide the marks, so dark they appear black in the dim light. A biting cold suffuses me, even as my body burns. I can’t seek relief in Dian’s medicine yet, the bottle almost empty. I must save it for my escape.
