Page 55 of For Ever More

As the prince sits with her, she touches his arm. “I was angered to learn of your sister’s betrayal. Tell me your enemies, whether they are across the realm or here.”

Prince Zixin’s face is inscrutable, his fingers tracing the carvings on the chair. He must be tempted to betray us now, to repay past grudges. As his gaze slides to us, a chill glazes my insides—but I touch my stomach in a silent reminder of the poison he took. Still, several of the courtiers turn our way, a woman staring at Jin in recognition, hurrying toward Lady Shufang to whisper into her ear. She crooks her finger at him to approach.

“The advisor to the Thorn Valley court?” she asks as Jin comes forward. “One of my people recognized you from the banquets at the Iron Mountains. Why are you here?”

Jin bows to her. “We are Prince Zixin’s loyal allies. After the betrayal of his sister, we spirited His Highness away from the Palace of Nine Hills—under disguise. These months, we have kept him safe in Thorn Valley, away from the queen’s forces. Upon His Highness’s request, we accompanied him here to meet Your Ladyship.” A pause. “We trust in Your Ladyship’s discretion.”

A risk to reveal our involvement, but there is little choice. Moreover, Lady Shufang appears wholly on the side of the prince. She studies Shenming and me, as we come forward to greet her.

“Who are you?” she asks us.

None would know me from my brief spell as the prince’s intended bride—back then, the palace was sealed. Queen Chunlei would have forbidden gossip of that day: of her bloody ascent to her throne, how she bartered herself in marriage to a man she despised. Yet it will be safer to keep closer to the truth, in case I’m recognized from my first banquet at the Palace of Nine Hills.

“This is Captain Shenming of Thorn Valley.” I cast a warning look at him as he bows, not protesting the lie. “I am His Highness’s champion, from when we rescued Duke Yuan’s daughter.”

“Is this true, Zixin?” she asks, speaking familiarly to him. “This girl? I thought the Iron Mountains favored warriors like that brute General Xilu.”

“She is stronger than she looks.” A small smile plays on the prince’s lips. “And we’ve learned much from the wise ways of your kingdom.”

A tall woman with light brown hair approaches, her armor gleaming, a large bow slung across her back. General Suilan, the powerful warrior who also tried to rescue Ruilin.

“Your Ladyship, they speak the truth. I met them in Duke Yuan’s residence in the Amber Forest. They freed us from the despicable magic-wielder’s spell. I owe them my gratitude.”

Relief surges that Dian is not here, that her face was hidden by the hood she wore when all thought her the evil witch. The general would not trust us if we were in the company of the “magic-wielder” she loathes.

“I welcome your friends to my court, Zixin,” Lady Shufang says, before dismissing us.

As Jin and I return to the side of the hall, attendants set out tables for us, laden with food and drink. I begin eating, only now realizing how hungry I am, how I’ve missed food prepared as an art rather than a necessity: fish baked in rock salt, stewed whole abalones, scallop dumplings, flaky scallion pastries stuffed with minced meat.

Jin fills my plate as quickly as I empty it. “Have you been suffering on our rations? Your appetite is larger than usual.”

As I take a third dumpling, I tap his bowl with my chopsticks. “Whereas you rarely eat.”

“Events like these are for studying others—not enjoyment,” Jin replies, raising a cup to his lips without drinking.

The light falling through the ceiling fades; the skies must be overcast, as more lamps are lit. A courtier approaches Lady Shufang, speaking in hushed tones. Her expression grows solemn as she rises. “Stay, eat your fill. I must attend to an urgent matter,” she informs Prince Zixin. “My attendant will show you to your quarters to rest. You are our guest for as long as you wish.”

Jin catches the prince’s eye, shaking his head. With the waterfall expected to appear in three days, we don’t have time to linger.

Prince Zixin sets his chopsticks down. “There is a pressing matter of my own to attend to first. I must return to the shore and come back in a few days—”

“Can it wait?” Lady Shufang’s smile doesn’t waver, yet her words are sharp. “I would like you to stay.”

Prince Zixin’s face shutters. “Is this a command?”

“Of course not, Zixin. But surely you can spare a few days for us to get reacquainted?” she says petulantly. “You’ve only just arrived.”

She is not as gracious when she doesn’t get her way. Maybe all royals possess that elusive charm when life goes their way, their inherent core of selfishness emerging once they’re crossed. If angered, she might impede our efforts to find the waterfall. For now, we need to remain her honored guests.

As I nod at Prince Zixin, he says, “It would be my pleasure to remain. Along with my companions and soldiers.”

Lady Shufang smiles. “We will celebrate tonight with a banquet, all of you will attend. You will be placed in my private wing, Zixin.” She glances at us. “Yet guest quarters there are limited—”

“We can remain in your soldiers’ quarters,” Jin suggests.

We would have more freedom there to search for the waterfall, even as unease grips me to be divided from my sister.

“What about our other soldiers, Your Ladyship?” Shenming asks.