CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
N ight has fallen when we halt in the forest, close enough to the palace to see the archers stationed along the wall.
Jin’s soldiers from Thorn Valley have rejoined us, finally caught up from the swamp.
Fortunately, none of the trapped warriors had seen Dian’s face, all just relieved to be released.
We dismount here as it’s safer to proceed on foot—a barren strip of land is all that lies between us and the Palace of Nine Hills. The iron wall around the palace glints menacingly. As the wind shifts, that stale metallic scent wafts in the air. My stomach roils, the urge to gag rising.
“If in doubt, say nothing,” Ruilin advises me, maybe catching my expression. “Silence is more forgiving than ill-fitting lies.”
I know these tricks and more. But I notice the quiver in her hand as she brushes the hair from her face, how pale she looks. She is brave to come with us, to risk her safety after escaping her father and the unwanted betrothal. I’m not sure I would have, if my life weren’t at stake.
“Are you worried about meeting Prince Zixin?” I ask.
She smiles, a little more herself now. “I knew him and his sister as children. As long as I don’t cross them, I’ll be safe. To avoid his company, I’ll just appear dull, vapid, and dim-witted.”
“He will have to treat you well, regardless,” I assure her. “Your father is powerful.”
Her smile vanishes. “Prince Zixin holds the power that matters. Once we’re in his palace, surrounded by his guards, we are all shackled to his will.”
I won’t let myself think about that. “Ask for a courtyard close to mine. Prince Zixin is more likely to accommodate a request from you—an honored guest. Otherwise, I’m not sure how often we’ll get a chance to speak.”
The rumbling of hooves carries to our ears. The doors to the palace are flung open. We’ve been seen. The Iron Mountains soldiers ride out, their armor as bright as their weapons, glittering with that revolting sheen—suffused with the dragon’s stolen magic.
One of the riders breaks away from the rest, his robe of white and gold caught in the wind. The moon slips out from behind a cloud, its light falling upon his face. His beauty is dazzling but it leaves me cold.
Prince Zixin gallops toward me, his soldiers following closely, the tips of their weapons angled our way. As he halts, he regards me in cool silence, his eyes appraising. As Jin warned, he’s suspicious given how I’d left in the company of his not-quite-ally, not-quite-enemy.
I sink into a deep bow. “Your Highness, I am glad to be back.” My soft voice is infused with emotion, my dread buried beneath.
“I was wondering when you would return,” he says, his tone unreadable.
“As soon as I could, Your Highness. We rescued Lady Ruilin; our task is fulfilled in the name of the Iron Mountains.” I tilt my head up to him as though seeking his approval. “Is Your Highness pleased with our success?”
“You have done well.” He acknowledges Ruilin with a nod. “Lady Ruilin, you must want to rest after your ordeal.”
She smiles at him. “Thank you, Your Highness. I hope not to trouble you for too long.”
“You are welcome here,” he tells her, before his attention shifts back to me. “Where is the prize?”
“The starfire is still in Duke Yuan’s possession,” Jin replies for me, as he guides his horse closer.
His mask is on once more, that of the inscrutable advisor.
“While we could have returned to the duke to try to claim it after rescuing Lady Ruilin, it seemed prudent to come here first—in case any objections were raised. Moreover, Lady Ruilin wanted to thank Your Highness in person.”
“A good decision. Duke Yuan has a tendency to make grand promises that he forgets to keep later, once the need has passed,” Prince Zixin says with a laugh, not caring that Ruilin is listening.
Jin is astute to plant this seed of doubt in the prince’s mind. Even if Duke Yuan claims the absence of the starfire later, the prince might not believe him.
“Your Highness, I have a favor to ask.” Ruilin dips in a graceful bow. “Would Your Highness allow me to rest here a few days before sending word to Father? He will demand my immediate return, but I have heard of the wonders of the Palace of Nine Hills and am keen to explore them,” she flatters him.
“As you wish,” he replies, after a pause. “We will dispatch a messenger to Duke Yuan in three days.”
As Ruilin is helped into a waiting carriage, Prince Zixin bends down, his arm sliding firmly around my waist to swing me upon his horse, setting me before him.
His body is warm and hard, his touch unwelcome.
But I don’t lean away as he grips the reins, his arms caging me in.
Instead, I smile—though it feels carved with a knife, the feeling of being trapped winding tighter all around.
Prince Zixin flicks the reins of the horse, which canters at a brisk pace, eager to do his master’s bidding. We’re both creatures under his command. If we don’t obey, we’ll get flogged.
The moon is almost full tonight, a shining disc. A familiar wave of loathing descends, reminiscent of the dread I used to feel for market day when I had to wear a disguise and lie to strangers to cheat them of their coin. Except this time, the trade will be perilous, and I must sell more than lies.