Page 53 of For Ever More
“Soldiers of the Pearl Ocean. Shall we retreat?” Shenming asks Jin in an undertone.
“They’ve already seen us. To run now would only rouse their suspicions. If their forces are hunting us, it will make finding the waterfall much harder.” Jin appears deep in thought. “Pretend we are here to pay our respects to Lady Shufang—that we’re escorting Prince Zixin to her. We will claim to be his loyal supporters. After all, Yining and I embarked on a quest for His Highness before, and we helped him escape from his sister.”
“How convenient,” Prince Zixin replies with a hard smile. “What if I deny these extravagant claims?”
“Then you would not deserve the chances you’ve been given.” Jin’s tone is icy. “Moreover, it would elevate Your Highness’s standing to not appear alone and friendless, casting you in a more favorable light.”
“Did you lead us here on purpose, to the heart of the Pearl Ocean where the guards would find us?” I accuse the prince. “We are running out of time.”
He shrugs. “This was always my destination. You decided to accompany me.”
Prince Zixin is cunning, securing his safety with the support of the Pearl Ocean army. “Don’t forget you’re still bound to us. Betray us, and I’ll destroy the antidote,” I threaten him. “I hear the pain when the poison takes effect is excruciating.”
His mouth curls. “How can I forget the poison you fed me, Yining? Even though it burned a hole down my throat, it still tasted sweet.”
Before I can retort, the Pearl Ocean soldiers reach the shore, converging upon the sands. Many are women wearing silver breastplates over long pants. Their hair—in varying shades of brown, black, and white—is braided up and tucked into helmets. All carry weapons: swords, spears, halberds, those farther at the back bearing bows.
A soldier steps forward and bows, her long white hair swept into her helmet. “Lady Shufang, the revered ruler of the Pearl Ocean, sends her warm welcome to His Highness Prince Zixin, the true heir of the Iron Mountains.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
THE PEARL OCEAN HAS TAKEN A CLEAR STAND, SUPPORTING Prince Zixin’s claim to his throne. Shenming and Jin exchange wary glances. With the soldiers here, the prince could easily betray us now. His mouth curves as though contemplating it—but I catch his gaze, my hand brushing my pouch in silent warning.
“Lady Shufang is most gracious. We were about to request an audience with Her Ladyship,” the prince lies. “How did she know of our arrival?”
“Our scouts. Your presence was marked the moment you approached our shore.” The soldier extends her arm toward the bridges. “We will escort Your Highness to the palace at once.”
As he follows her, the remaining guards surround our group. “Your soldiers are forbidden from crossing our bridges. They must wait here, though rest assured they will be well looked after.”
We cannot protest, yet it would be dangerous to allow the prince to speak to Lady Shufang alone. Jin keeps his face down out of caution, given his past role as the “advisor” of Thorn Valley.
“His Highness should be permitted to bring his chosen companions,” I suggest. When the white-haired soldier shakes her head, I press, “Is His Highness a prisoner or a guest? All guests should be accorded this simple courtesy.”
“Lady Shufang desires His Highness to be shown every courtesy,” the soldier replies after a pause. “Three companions will be allowed.”
Dian has moved away, concealing herself among our soldiers. The dragon is slung to her back, beneath a cloak. We cannot let the Pearl Ocean guards find him. It is safer for Dian and the dragon to remain on shore, where escape is easier.
Prince Zixin points imperiously in my direction. “You will join me. Choose the rest.”
“Very well, Your Highness.” Burying my ire, I gesture to Jin and Shenming. “Both of you will accompany us.”
The soldiers of the Pearl Ocean divide into two groups: one remaining with our troops on shore, the other going with us. We follow them to the center bridge, wide enough to fit two dozen people across. Crafted of mother-of-pearl, it glows in the sunlight. Aquamarine tiles are set in the path, partly translucent, allowing a glimpse of the green waves beneath.
Our bridge arches toward a sprawling palace on a large island, surrounded by wooden buildings with thatched roofs. In the sea beyond, clusters of smaller islands appear, ringed by graceful trees that bear pink, yellow, and white flowers, the other bridges branching into narrower pathways until it feels like we’re traversing the intricate weave of a spiderweb. With no shade here, the sun beats down relentlessly, my clothes damp with sweat.
Jin touches my arm, my pace slowing to match his. “This place is well guarded, with many soldiers patrolling bridges,” he says in a low voice. “It would be hard to bring anyone in or out without discovery.”
“Will you be recognized?” I ask. “Your face was well known in the Iron Mountains.”
“Not many would know me here. Even if they do, it will strengthen our story as I was a supposed ally of the Prince of the Iron Mountains,” he assures me. “Warn Captain Shenming to follow our lead and not offer any unnecessary information.”
Ahead, the stone walls of the palace gleam, the thatching of the roof similar to the other buildings except with gold interspersed amid the straw and reeds. Shells are embedded in the wooden doors, forming a spiral pattern that loops across the frame. As we are shown inside, crystal lamps hang from the ceiling, gleaming though unlit.
Several attendants descend on us. Most are men who surround Prince Zixin, Jin, and Shenming—while a pair of girls leads me to the other side of the hall, behind a painted screen. Their green clothes match the hue of the sea, their long hair braided down their backs.
“What are you doing?” I ask, as they tug away my wrinkled clothing, dropping it to the ground, leaving me in my inner robe. Fortunately, the screen conceals us.
“Making you presentable to meet Her Ladyship.” The smaller of the girls dips a cloth into a dish of water and wipes my face and neck. “If only we had time to bathe her,” she mutters to her companion like I’m not present.
