Page 93 of For Ever More

“I know how you feel about Lord Jin-Yong, what you’d do for him and what he’d do for you.” Her gaze probes mine. “Tell me I’m wrong, Yining.”

“I’ll tell you more than that; you’re a fool for even imagining this!” My breath hitches from wrath. “Don’t judge me from the words of others. If our positions were reversed, if the world was against you—I’d trust you.”

We stare at each other, a different kind of fear pulsing through me. At last, she hugs me tightly. “I don’t believe you killed Shenming. But he’s gone… he was like a brother to me.” Her voice breaks as she pulls away. “What happened?”

Gone is the accusation in her tone. And so, I tell her everything, not letting any lies fill in the spaces. She folds over, pressing her fists to her eyes upon hearing how Shenming died protecting me. But I keep to myself what I believe his last word to be, how he loved her. It would only hurt Dian more… and I don’t think he would have wanted her to know either.

Foul curses erupt from Dian’s mouth. “I would kill Lord Hairong for what he did to Shenming alone,” she vows. “A vile traitor, a shameless coward, accusing you of his crimes. Using you to conceal his wickedness, feigning grief and innocence.”

“You believe me?”

“Need you ask?” She glares at me. “As your sister, I’m also learning the essential skill of discerning your truth from lies.”

“We must stop Lord Hairong from surrendering the starfire to the Queen of the Iron Mountains,” I say urgently. “Where is he?”

Dian’s face is ashen. “Lord Hairong has gone missing. He disappeared after making his accusations. Lady Shila and Lord Zhu suspect you of harming him.”

“If only,” I say with feeling. “With the keys, he must have already stolen the starfire. He could be on his way to the Iron Mountains now with it. What if we’re too late?”

“I will tell Father. We must reveal his despicable schemes—”

“But I have no proof. Will Lord Zhu and Lady Shila believe me?”

Silence falls as her hands clench. “If Lord Hairong succeeds, Queen Chunlei will have all the pieces of the starfire. It is hopeless—”

“Not yet,” I say slowly. “I have the last starfire. Before Jin was captured, he gave it to me. He asked me not to surrender it to the Elders—I think he always had his suspicions. I was afraid you’d try to persuade me to yield it to them.”

She scowls, but doesn’t scold me for keeping this from her. “What will you do?”

“Restore the grove in Thorn Valley, save Jin, stop the queen, destroy the starfire.” My laugh is a breathless, frantic sound. “Just one of these alone would be near impossible. All together? Insurmountable.”

“Not for you.” She places a hand on my shoulder, staring into my face. “You have a knack for taming the impossible. You fight till the end, even after hope is gone. You don’t wait for a miracle; you make your own.”

I look into her green eyes, so different from mine. “If so, it’s because of what I’m fighting for.” My family. Jin. “I have too much to lose.”

At the sound of footsteps in the distance, Dian and I duck deeper into the shadows of the trees, waiting until they fade. “You should escape now,” she urges. “I’ll bring you to the lotus.”

“Not yet. I must find the Moon Dragon.”

Dian points north, toward the cliffs. “Head this way, toward the forest. I hear she hasn’t taken to the ocean since the Sun Dragon’s death.”

“Do you, Father, and Ruilin want to come with me to Thorn Valley?” I ask. “It could be safer.”

She shakes her head. “Our people won’t hurt us. Father is well-respected.”

“Let them say what they wish of me, at least for now. Pretend that you know nothing. Promise me this, Dian,” I press her urgently. “It’s the only way to protect all of you.”

Her mouth is taut as she nods tersely. She hates this yet knows I’m right. “Go now. Before the reinforcements arrive. Don’t forget where the lotus will be waiting when you need it.” She catches me in a fierce hug. “Don’t get caught.”

“I won’t.”

Voices rise, more soldiers joining the search. Dian straightens. “Give me your mask.”

Unthinkingly, I hand it to her. She pulls up her hair, tying it back to disguise the shorter strands—then slides my mask over her face. “I’ll draw away the soldiers to give you more time.”

“It’s dangerous—”

“Like you, I’m not planning on getting caught.” Even with the mask, I sense her glare. “Let me help. You’re not alone in the world anymore. When you are hurt or in danger, it hurts us too.”