CHAPTER FIFTY
D espite the exhaustion, I’ve never felt more alive as we fly onward, each step taking us farther from the palace, an unseen weight falling away from me.
I glance at Jin behind me. Sunlight falls over his face, lightening his pupils to gold. “You must rest,” he tells me. “You’ve borne more than most today.”
“Is it the same for you?” I ask.
“Yes, but I’ve been trained—I know my limits.”
“It was easier to channel it with you,” I admit, trying not to think of how I’m sitting tucked between his legs, my back pressed to his chest—and how I feel no urge to pull away.
“I didn’t know if it would work.” He pauses, then adds, “If you need my help again, don’t hesitate to ask. After all, we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”
I tense at this reminder of my promise to him. Looking around, I’m relieved to find Dian and Ruilin just behind us. Prince Zixin rides ahead, with the warrior called Shiji. As though sensing my gaze, he swings around—but I turn away. A risk, to bring him, but I couldn’t leave him behind.
We gallop through the mountains, our horses navigating the rocky paths effortlessly. The sun dips lower, throwing our shadows long as we head westward from the palace, the other direction from the Amber Forest.
Jin pulls the covering from his face, tugging off his helmet. His hair sticks to the nape of his neck.
“Is this enough of a disguise?” I have to shout my words else the wind swallows them. “What if Queen Chunlei suspects it was Thorn Valley who attacked, not Mist Island?”
“It fits what they expect. Why would they look elsewhere?” He strokes his horse, drawing my eye to the ethereal creature. “Though I despise the farce of our alliance, we need to maintain the semblance of it—at least for now.”
“Is that why you didn’t veil your mounts?”
“Who would look at us when we ride them?” He adds, “Our horses are also faster in their natural form. We’ll easily outpace any giving chase and should be in the Land Beyond by nightfall.”
I clasp my hands, filled with sudden trepidation. Anywhere is better than the Iron Mountains… yet it’s hard to forget the stories I’ve grown up hearing, to anticipate what I’ve always dreaded.
“Are you glad to be going home?” he asks.
“It doesn’t feel like home yet.” It’s not the answer expected of me, but with him, I don’t want to pretend.
“It will,” he assures me. “And if not, come to mine.”
The intensity of his tone… heat pools inside me. I shift away deliberately, part of me still angry at the bargain he struck when I had no choice. I understand why—I might’ve done the same—but it doesn’t make it better.
“The Iron Mountains doesn’t intend to honor the alliance much longer,” I warn him. “During the coronation, they revealed their ambitions to conquer both Thorn Valley and Mist Island. Their offer of Princess Chunlei’s hand was a plan to infiltrate your realm.”
“It’s as we suspected,” he says. “We will be ready. And now, we’ve retrieved the Sun Dragon.”
“But the dragon is weakened. Queen Chunlei has three pieces of the starfire: her own, her brother’s, and their father’s.”
“We have the one from Duke Yuan,” he reminds me. “And we have you.”
I flinch from the weight of such expectations. “This power isn’t mine; I’m just its custodian. The Sun Dragon lent it to me so I could help us escape. Once I return it, I won’t be as strong.”
“You’re strong even without magic,” he says. “Don’t ever forget that.”
I swallow hard, reminding myself of his silver tongue. “How do you want me to help Thorn Valley?” It’s easier when I know exactly what he wants.
“My kingdom is falling into slow decay—we need magic for our trees and crops to thrive, to keep the thorns from overgrowing our land,” he says somberly. “You will have to visit my land, to stay for a while. But your people will try to stop you.”
“You helped us escape—the dragon, Dian, and me. How can they object?”
“Those of Mist Island don’t like sharing their power. They want to keep us dependent on them.” His lips curve into a smile. “They will be afraid that I might try to keep you.”
“You won’t,” I say resolutely.
“What if I do?”
There is a note in his tone I can’t read.
“You can’t. I won’t stay anywhere I’m forced to—not in the Palace of Nine Hills, not with you.
” Without waiting for his reply, I add, “Why are those of the Land Beyond fighting among themselves? Queen Chunlei’s power will grow.
Her army is strong, and her husband thirsts for war. ”
“You’ll soon learn that the Elders who govern Mist Island are not good at setting aside their grudges and pride.”
Shiji breaks away from the other warriors, riding toward us. She jerks her head at Prince Zixin behind her. “The hostage wishes to speak with you.”
Prince Zixin glares at her. “Don’t talk of me that way.”
“Forgive me, Your Highness.” The emphasis on his title makes it sound like an insult, and I suppress the urge to laugh.
“Don’t make trouble for my people,” Jin tells him coldly. “I’m only tolerating your presence right now.”
“Lord Jin-Yong, I can handle one spoiled prince,” Shiji tells him with a grin.
A sourish sensation churns through me at her teasing manner. I study her black eyes and full lips, the way her dark brown hair is braided down her back—feeling irrationally annoyed at Jin.
“Lord Jin-Yong?” Prince Zixin’s gaze is probing, almost hostile. “Why did your people attack us?”
“You are not entitled to answers,” Jin replies brusquely. “You’re not a guest but a prisoner.”
“I’m not your captive; I am an ally.” Prince Zixin faces me. “We struck a deal. I gave you what you asked for in return for helping me escape.”
I meet his stare without flinching. “You only asked that I bring you with us. Here, you must abide by our rules—just as those in the palace abided by yours.”
He raises his chin, a glint in his eyes. “What if I don’t?”
“We’ll extend the same hospitality that you do to those who displease you.” When I remember the Shadow Wing, how he imprisoned us and punished the serving girl—it’s easier to forget what I owe him.
“Can I leave when I wish?” he demands with his usual arrogance.
“No,” Jin replies. “I won’t have you running back to your sister to beg for mercy and betray us.”
“I will never beg her for mercy. I will never trust her again.” Prince Zixin’s voice is guttural with rage… with hurt.
“Your Highness, you are clever enough to realize the safest place for you is with us.” Prisoner or reluctant ally, it’s safer to keep him out of the queen’s grasp—someone with a claim to the throne of the Iron Mountains, with valuable secrets to share.
“Your sister controls your army. If you remain in your realm, you will be hunted, captured, and killed.”
A pause. “Thank you for not leaving me.” The words come stiff like he’s not used to uttering them.
“As you said, we struck a deal.”
“Is that all?” Prince Zixin’s mouth slants into a knowing smile.
“Nothing more,” I snap, as behind me Jin tenses.
The prince smooths his red sleeve, calling attention to how we’re dressed. “We are closer than that; you were almost my bride—”
“You threatened my sister’s life to make me agree.”
“Shall we test your indifference to me?”
As his gaze slides to my lips, my hands clench. “By all means, if you want a fist in your face.”
Prince Zixin’s smile widens. “I might enjoy it from you.”
“I’d be happy to lend her my fist. You’d enjoy it far less.” Jin’s calm tone conceals the wrath beneath. He tugs the reins of his horse abruptly, calling out, “Shiji, take him to the back.”
As she moves away, I call out formally, “Farewell, Your Highness.”
“I don’t say farewell to those I’ll see again.” Prince Zixin’s eyes are a fathomless black. “Until then.”
There is promise in those words, a sliver of threat. As our horse gallops to the front, I don’t turn, but I feel the Prince of the Iron Mountains watching me… just as he did the first time we met.
“What do we do with him?” I ask Jin.
“He will remain in Thorn Valley. We cannot bring him to Mist Island. Not only would the Elders object, but it’s too dangerous. Should he betray us, the consequences will be disastrous.”
“If he betrays us, I’ll kill him.” I mean it too.
A dark forest looms. Just a breath and a step separate Thorn Valley from the Iron Mountains, though they are realms apart.
As we cross the border into the Land Beyond, the air fills with new sounds and scents like the world after a storm.
The green leaves are veined with copper, forming a thick canopy, light falling in delicate shafts.
Flowers trail from the ground, up the trees, coiling around their branches.
Luminous mushrooms bloom across the earth like small lanterns, as fireflies dart in the air.
It’s like night and day fused beneath the silken shade of the trees.
Yet to an outsider—braced for horror—there is much to fear.
In the forest, vines loop around the branches of trees, coiling across the ground.
Thorns coat their stalks, some needle-sharp and fine, others curved like vicious talons.
They glisten ominously, a barrier to any trespasser—but when Jin approaches with his warriors, the knotted vines part like slithering snakes.
Strange sounds and rustles fade as we approach, though occasionally there’s a glimpse of an iridescent butterfly, a silver-clawed foot of some small animal, a tail of luminous green feathers. Are they shy or frightened of us?
I look around, seeing no sign of the shore. “Where is Mist Island?”
“The way there is hidden. Dian will show you how to get there.”
At last, a clearing appears, marking the end of the forest. Dian and Ruilin are ahead as Jin has been riding at a slower pace since we crossed into the Land Beyond, letting the others overtake him.
Most of his warriors veer away from us now, moving deeper into the trees.
As Shiji rides onward, Prince Zixin turns once to stare at me, his gaze unnervingly bright.
Jin pulls the reins, halting our horse. After he dismounts, he helps me down. “We’ll walk the rest of the way.”
“If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you were delaying our parting,” I tell him cuttingly.
“Oh, I am,” he says shamelessly. “I thought you also needed a moment to express your appreciation to me.”
I regard him coolly, burying my gratitude. “It appears, Lord Jin-Yong, thanks are not necessary when I am paying for your service.”
“You know I came for you—you know it isn’t like that.” His face darkens as he pulls me to him, his hands pressed along the curve of my waist. “I don’t like you calling me that; you sound like Dian.”
“She was right about a lot of things,” I say stiffly, yet not wrenching free… even now, still wanting his touch.
“She was also wrong, just as many times. About you. About me.” He continues in a softer tone. “Don’t inherit her prejudice—if you must dislike or hate me, do it on your own account.”
The intensity of his gaze pins me. I can’t look away, resenting how easily he twists my emotions. “Will Prince Zixin be treated well?” I ask partly to rile him, partly from a sense of obligation.
“As well as he deserves. We will keep close watch over him but won’t lock him up. At least, not yet.” Jin’s expression shutters. “You are concerned for him. He seems familiar with you, more than before.”
An expectant pause settles like he’s waiting for more. “I kissed him,” I admit.
“Why?”
I look up into his taut, unsmiling face. Is he jealous? A rush of unexpected pleasure fills me at the thought. “Only to cure him. Prince Zixin and the dragon were poisoned with winterfire berries, bonding them. I had to break the curse.”
“He kept the dragon captive, he stole his powers,” Jin reminds me harshly. “He’s been betrayed, yet that doesn’t mean he is good—just that he’s been outplayed.”
“I know.”
“Did you like kissing him?” He shoves a hand through his hair, curling at the base of his neck. “I shouldn’t ask such questions.”
I stifle the urge to ask about Shiji. His jealousy doesn’t push me away, it draws me closer. “Prince Zixin is the one who helped me escape the palace when I was a child. He was punished severely for it.” I fall silent, remembering his scars. “I can’t think of him as just a villain.”
“Don’t mistake the boy he was for the man he’s become. Prince Zixin is ruthless, merciless, and heartless.” His jaw clenches as he takes my hand. “But I don’t want to talk about the Prince of the Iron Mountains anymore.”
My heart quickens as his thumb traces my palm. “What do you want to talk about?”
As Dian and Ruilin appear in the clearing, calling out for me, Jin pulls me out of sight, behind a cluster of trees. “I can’t accompany you to Mist Island; I won’t be welcome,” he tells me. “But I want to see you again… and not just because you have to.”
His gaze drops to my mouth, light kindling in his eyes. My senses are afire with the desire to touch him again, to taste him as when we kissed. But I shutter it, push it down, grasping at the remnants of anger.
“Then you shouldn’t have made that deal with me. You should have asked for my help instead of forcing it.”
“I don’t leave things to chance. I make my own opportunities.” He tilts his head back, staring at me. “If you hadn’t made that promise, would you come to Thorn Valley if your family disapproved?”
“You’ll never know,” I say bluntly. “But I will keep my word.”
We’re long past the moment when one of us should leave.
My emotions swing wildly—fury braided with gratitude, resentment pierced with relief.
I don’t want him to go, my mind alive with recollections of his body pressed to mine as we rode here, my senses still filled with his nearness, his scent and warmth.
As Dian calls out to me again, her voice growing impatient—Jin holds up his hand, a tiny firefly landing on his palm like a spark of light. “I’ll send the firefly to you when I need you to come.” His tone deepens. “Don’t wait too long.”
It rankles that he expects me to obey his summons, like he’s my lord and I’m his servant. Yet buried at the back of my mind like a splinter is the realization that I want to see him again.
As he turns and stalks into the forest, something in my chest clenches, a lot like regret. I stare after him until he vanishes from sight, like a dream dissipating with the dawn.