Page 99 of For Ever More
“I don’t know you at all,” I retort. “Aren’t you here to secure your place in her court?” My words are picked to stir his wrath, to catch the truth unvarnished by lies.
“What about you?” he drawls. “I know you’d never grovel at her feet, unless there was a sword at your neck. You and I, we are of the same mind—in this regard, at least.”
He pushes a handkerchief and a shallow dish of water at me, the type used to dip one’s fingers into before eating. “Wash your face,” he orders. “I want to see your real one.”
I glare at him, refusing to obey. “Your face paint is coming away,” he informs me with a sigh. “One of your moles is out of shape, and your left eyebrow is drooping. If the guards notice, they will question you.”
I curse, picking up the cloth and dipping it in the bowl, wiping my face. “How did you recognize me?” I ask.
“I’d know you anywhere.” As I look away, he adds, “Thank you for the antidote.”
“I keep my promises. Have you seen Jin? Is he imprisoned in the Shadow Wing, where you locked me up before?”
His mouth tenses as though disliking the memory. “Don’t go to him,” he warns, his voice low, almost angry. “If you want my help, stay here—”
A guard knocks on the door, interrupting him. “Her Majesty and Lady Shufang summon you to accompany them for their morning meal.”
“I prefer to eat here,” he says in a cool tone.
“They asked that you join them to discuss Her Majesty’s celebration tonight.” The soldier’s tone is almost authoritative. “I am to escort you.”
Prince Zixin’s lip curls. “Then wait outside.” He drops his voice to speak to me alone. “I must go. Stay here where it’s safe.”
“What if I’m recognized?” I ask.
“Unlikely. None of these attendants or guards served me in the past.” He unties a jade tablet from his waist and presses it into my hand. “Take this. The guards know this is my seal and it means you are under my protection. They won’t trouble you.”
As he strides to the entrance, he adds, “Wait here. Don’t go looking for Lord Jin-Yong. You won’t find him, and you could get caught.”
Fear grips me. Is Jin in danger? Imprisoned someplace worse than the Shadow Wing? Before I can ask, the prince has left, the doors closing after him.
Ignoring his warning, I rise to my feet. If Prince Zixin thinks I’ll leave Jin in peril—he’s wrong.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
THE FIRST STREAKS OF DAWN CARVE THE SKIES—SOON IT will be light. I slip along the shadow of a building, keeping out of sight. When soldiers approach, I flatten myself against the wall. Once they pass, I move toward the Shadow Wing to search for Jin. But an air of abandonment sheathes the entrance—deserted like no one has been here in a while, the iron gate chained and locked.
He’s not here.
I’m trying to calm, to think. Jin would be heavily guarded, a valued prisoner. My pace quickens as I begin combing the grounds; I only have until midnight—after which the Moon Dragon’s enchantment breaks and the starfire is no longer secure in my locket.
An hour passes, maybe more. Fortunately, it’s a gray morning, thick clouds obscuring the sky. I’ve scoured the palace, climbed several trees to peer into buildings. I must return to the prince’s room soon—it’s growing too dangerous to be out as more awaken. But a courtyard looms ahead, one watched over by many guards, a sudden awareness pricking my senses. Heading to the back, I climb up the wall, then drop inside. The wind howls, a storm brewing on the horizon, masking the sound when I crack open the door and slip inside, shutting it carefully after me.
A lantern flares to life. I still at the sudden brightness, darting behind the curtains—but strong arms seize me, yanking me out. I struggle, spinning around, my fist flying, but it’s caught in an unflinching grip—
“Jin!” My voice breaks with emotion. He’s here.
He doesn’t move, seemingly frozen with disbelief—then he pulls me to him roughly, his grip tightening as if afraid I’ll vanish. “Yining. It’s you,” he breathes against my ear.
The sound of his deep voice—my chest splinters with relief as I wrap my arms around him, burying my face in the curve of his neck. He holds me like he’ll never let go, his heartbeat thudding against mine. We’ve only been apart for days, but the terror makes it feel like years.
Finally, Jin’s hands slide to my waist as he draws away slightly, the heat in his eyes scorching—riveted on my face as if he’s looking at me for the first time.
“How did you get here?” he asks. “The Palace of Nine Hills is dangerous. Why did you come?”
“For you.”
I want to tell him everything: about the grove, the wintergrass, of Lord Hairong and Shenming. Yet he draws me to him again with fierce urgency, lowering his head to mine. Inhaling his scent, a reckless greed suffuses me, the dangerous desire to ignore the world and sink deeper into his embrace. But I make myself push against him, suppressing a silent protest. We are far from safe, trapped in our enemy’s confines—his lack of restraint surprising me too.
