Page 14 of For Ever More

The one Father stood beneath the day I came home, his gaze filled with emotion. Was he thinking of Mother? Telling her I’d finally returned?

My vision blurs as I close the book. “I’ll choose magnolias. Mother will be part of the ceremony with us.”

Madam Ling nods. “It will take a few days to work on the design. They will be ready before the ceremony.”

“Shall we settle our accounts today?” I offer the seamstress a wooden box that Dian gave me—some of the flowers and herbs from our garden sorted into clusters. An enchantment in the case prevents them from wilting.

Madam Ling plucks out several violet flowers, a handful of grayish leaves that are good for restoring one’s inner strength, and almost all the blue flowers that induce drowsiness.

Dian leans over to touch a black leaf with gleaming veins. “You’ve been working hard in the garden. There are herbs here that I never planted.”

“Take whatever you need, they are yours too,” I tell her. “I bought some new seedlings with what you first gave me.”

“And tripled their worth,” she says approvingly.

I smile. “I’m good at making money.”

“That’s fortunate,” my sister says, handing Madam Ling her own case. “With Ruilin’s profligate tendencies.”

Ruilin laughs unapologetically. “I’ve never seen such fine needlework, not even among the seamstresses at my father’s court.”

“Magic has its advantages.” Madam Ling helps herself to half the plants in Dian’s case. “It brings perfection within reach—yet we’ve also grown accustomed to it, even unforgiving, picking at the smallest fault.” She shuts Dian’s case and returns it to her. “I will bring the clothes to you when they are ready.”

Night is falling when we leave, but it doesn’t feel dark. Globes of luminous fruit dangle from the branches, many flowers emanating an ethereal radiance. The weather is pleasant for walking, the rush of the ocean in the distance a soothing rhythm. A few carriages sweep past, one halting close by, as Captain Shenming steps out, coming toward us.

“Does he always wear his armor?” I ask Dian in a low voice.

“Ask him yourself,” Dian replies. “You’ve seen him often enough, he’s no longer a stranger.”

“He still feels like one; we rarely speak alone. When he’s around, his attention is always on Father… or you.” I glance at her meaningfully, but her expression remains unchanged.

“Shenming doesn’t make friends easily, it took him years to open up to Father and me. And now he’s like a brother, one who will watch my back—as he will guard yours. He is fortunate to be mentored by Lord Hairong, who brought him into the army, who also helped convince the other Elders to allow me to leave the island.”

“I am grateful he did,” I say with feeling.

“As am I.” Her tone grows serious. “Get to know Shenming. He’s a good person—he would be good for you too.”

I scowl at her. Sometimes, Dian slips into the role of an elder sister that isn’t far from a witch. “You sound like an interfering parent.”

She shrugs. “You have questionable friends. Shenming wouldn’t be one of them—someone to build a future with, instead of ruining it.”

Before I can protest, Shenming reaches us. “Why are you here this late?”

“Visiting Madam Ling,” I reply, when Dian remains silent. “Why are you here?”

“The search for the Waterfall of Eternal Night can only be conducted after dark,” he explains. “I am on my way to join the scholars on Celestial Peak, where they are studying the stars.”

“Is that the highest point here?” I ask.

“No, that would be the Cloud Ridge, in the north,” he replies. “But that part of the island is so densely enveloped in fog, you can barely see an arm’s length ahead of you.”

“You must be busy; we won’t detain you any longer,” I tell him, conscious of Dian’s probing stare and Ruilin’s knowing smile.

“Shall I bring all of you home first?” he offers.

“Ruilin and I will walk; we like being alone.” Dian’s gaze is bright with mischief. “Shenming, why don’t you bring Yining to Celestial Peak? She hasn’t been there yet and the view is beautiful.”

I resist the impulse to step on her foot. “I wouldn’t want to trouble the captain. I should return—”