CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
J in and Ruilin left the palace early this morning for the hunting excursion.
I wanted to join, but was informed this event was only for those invited.
I glance out the window of my room. When had the skies begun to darken, slivers of violet and vermilion entwined in the folds of dusk?
A breeze glides through, bearing the scent of sandalwood and that loathsome tinge of iron.
I’ve remained indoors all day, claiming illness. It wasn’t all a lie. The pain in my head is worsening like needles piercing my scalp. My hand hurts constantly, the streaks darkening to rust. A deep ache has taken root within me since regaining my ring, as though my body craves its return.
Without Dian’s medicine, I’d be a husk of myself, barely able to rise and walk.
Soon, I’ll have to wear the ring; I’m almost out of time.
As Jin said, discovery is preferable to death.
Shan enters, leaving the door open as he carries a tray with several dishes: slices of beef, braised fish, prawns steamed in ginger, and pickled vegetables served with rice.
The prince’s food is shared with me now—seemingly an honor, but a jarring reminder that someone wants me dead.
I eat to keep up my strength, though my appetite has waned.
The beef is tender, the prawns sweet, yet they might as well be boiled gristle.
Footsteps thud from beyond, eight soldiers entering my courtyard, crowding the small garden. They don’t leave as expected, remaining outside my door. I set my chopsticks down, the last of my appetite vanishing. “What is happening, Shan?”
“There were rumors of a plot to disrupt the coronation. Prince Zixin ordered General Xilu to tighten security throughout the palace,” he replies.
Anxiety writhes in my gut. Escape will be far harder now. “What new measures are in place?”
Shan lifts the teapot and fills my cup. “The palace is sealed; only those with a royal permit are allowed in or out until after the coronation.”
My fingers clench the cup harder. “What about those who left the palace today?”
“The order came from His Highness himself; there are no exceptions. Lady Wang was furious to be denied entry when she returned from visiting a friend this evening,” Shan recounts gleefully.
But I don’t care about Lady Wang, my fears turning inward. “Was anyone else trapped outside the palace walls?” What about Jin?
“Lady Ruilin, though Prince Zixin arranged for her to be housed elsewhere till her father arrives to collect her. I heard those of Thorn Valley left this morning and were also refused entry into the palace.”
My heart plunges. The hunting excursion must have been a plot to rid the Palace of Nine Hills of unwanted guests. Has Prince Zixin grown suspicious? “They must have been furious.”
Shan nods. “A few ministers argued that our alliance was at risk, but His Highness refused to listen. Fortunately, His Highness’s coronation is just a couple of days away, then maybe everything will be as it was.”
Two days, and yet the world can upend itself within that time. I silence my screams, wanting to crawl into bed and close my eyes, to yield to despair instead of battling constantly against it. A single thought echoes through my mind: I must get out.
I push the tray of food aside, the throbbing in my head worsening. “I still don’t feel well, Shan. I’ll sleep early tonight.” I speak loudly, for the benefit of the new guards outside who might be listening.
His face clouds. “Do you need the physician?”
“Just rest. Could you let me sleep in late tomorrow?”
He nods, whisking the tray away. “At least with the guards outside, no one will dare another attempt on your life. Once they catch the poisoner, Prince Zixin will cut their head off,” he adds a little too enthusiastically as he leaves my room, closing the door after him.
My stomach roils; I’m trapped here—alone.
Pulling out Dian’s pouch, I rummage through it to find the incense coiled around the crystal.
I hold its tip to the candle until the end catches fire with a hiss, smoke trailing from it.
As the flame settles, I drop the incense into the brazier, praying that Dian or Jin are searching for me too, that it won’t be wasted.
Then I blow out the candle and climb into bed, pulling up the covers and closing my eyes.
Few things are harder than trying to sleep when everything is falling apart.
A sweet fragrance drifts from the brazier, the scent drawing me back to the tower in the swamp.
Strange how it was a dream, and yet few things felt more real.
I think of Jin, of waking beside him, remembering how his hair fell across his forehead.
And of my sister, waiting beyond the palace walls. My chest clenches—
—and then, I fall.
My palms are pressed against the soft grass, the sun blazing down on my face, clouds of rose and gold rolling across the heavens.
Butterflies dart over the meadow, as beautiful as the flowers they linger on.
Iridescent rain falls from the skies, yet my clothes and hair remain dry—each jeweled drop caught between the grass until it glitters like a field of stars.
A place this beautiful can only exist in a dream.
“Dian?” I call out as I push myself up. “Jin?”
There’s no answer. I start walking, I don’t know where, just that it’s better than doing nothing. Again and again, I call their names, until my throat is parched.
“Water,” I murmur to myself, looking around. The rush of a river catches my attention, and I hurry toward it. Crouching by the stream, I cup my hands to take a long drink.
A faint suspicion flares. “If only there were birds singing,” I say aloud, feeling more than a little foolish. At once, a flock of colorful birds descends upon a nearby tree, their beautiful songs bursting through the air.
This place… it’s my dream—mine to control. Is it because I burned the incense this time?
“I must find Dian.” My voice is stronger now, clearer. It should be Dian here; this is her magic.
The air quivers, the grass flattening as a trail of stones appears. I run toward it, trying not to think how long I have here. With each step, more stones emerge, those behind vanishing like water on sand.
“Yining!” Dian’s voice rings out from ahead of me.
She emerges from the trees, striding forward, her hair swinging over her shoulders. She hugs me tightly—and though it’s a dream, in my heart it’s real.
“What is this place?” I ask.
Her smile is tinged with sadness. “We’re both thinking of home. You may not remember, but your heart does.”
I stare around in wonder. “Is Mist Island this beautiful?”
“This is just one part of it. Like any place, there are darker corners too—but I love them all.” The sides of her mouth dip. “There isn’t much time until the incense burns out. What is happening? Are you safe?”
“Prince Zixin sealed the palace; no one can leave or enter until after his coronation.”
“We suspected this,” she says grimly. “Fortunately, Ruilin was able to escape and find me.”
“What about Jin?”
Her eyes pinch; she doesn’t like me asking about him.
“Furious when he couldn’t enter the palace.
Reckless, on the brink of stupidity.” Her scowl deepens.
“His guards had to restrain him before he provoked the Iron Mountains soldiers further. The fool even argued with me about coming here to find you when this is my incense.”
“You knew I’d come?”
She grins at me. “You’re not the sort to weep and wait.”
“I came close,” I admit.
“We all do.”
She says this tentatively, sharing a part of herself that she keeps from others—as do I. Her eyes widen as she picks up the ring dangling from my neck. “You found it.”
“I convinced Prince Zixin to return it to me. But I don’t dare wear it yet.”
“You are weakening,” she observes bluntly.
“Take more of the medicine. Try to keep from wearing your ring within the Palace of Nine Hills… but don’t wait too long.
” She looks into my face, her expression somber.
“If you must wear it, if there is any danger of discovery, you have to sever the root of your ring. Should it fall into the wrong hands, they will use it to find our home—it will endanger us all.”
“What happens if I remove the root?” I’m hoping I misunderstood what she told me before.
“Because you haven’t claimed your powers yet… the link to your magic will be broken, irrevocably. But this price must be paid.” She says this heavily, knowing how hard it will be—yet she’s not the type to soften her words.
I don’t know if I can do as she wishes; I want magic, to be strong like her.
“It won’t come to that. Prince Zixin wouldn’t have returned my ring unless he trusts me.
” I’m trying to assure myself too. “I need to get out, but I don’t have the Sun Dragon.
I can’t get to it—blocked by a guardian, by magic. Do you know how to destroy it?”
“Jin told me,” she says. “We must consult the Elders, as I’ve never encountered this before.
Regardless, it’s too dangerous for you to remain there, with your ring.
We’ll find another way to rescue the dragon.
Jin can return to the palace after the coronation, now he knows exactly what he’s searching for.
” She adds, “We considered creating a distraction from the outside, but Jin believes it will only worsen matters as Prince Zixin is already on edge.”
“He’s right. We need to lull the prince into believing everything is under control.”
“Then you’ll need to find a way out,” Dian says adamantly. “Can you escape? Once you’re over the palace walls, we’ll get you to safety.”
I think of the additional guards watching me, those in my courtyard, the way my head pounds, and the spells of dizziness and fatigue that crash over me with increasing ferocity. “I’ll find a way.”
“Stay clear of the palace entrances. Both the East and West Gate are closely watched with far more soldiers patrolling the grounds.”
“If only I could leave now,” I say, filled with urgency.
“Not tonight. It will be dawn soon, harder to move undetected. Moreover, we need reinforcements. According to Jin, they will arrive tomorrow.”
My heart sinks at the thought of remaining one more day. “Tomorrow night then. The day before His Highness’s coronation.”
Dian glances at the skies. “Our time together is ending.”
I swallow hard. “There was only one piece of incense. I won’t be able to speak to you again.”
“We will be ready,” she assures me. “Tomorrow, at midnight. Make your way to Ruilin’s courtyard; it will be quieter given it’s no longer occupied. Ruilin says the back of her garden opens to a path that leads to the outer walls. We’ll wait for you on the other side.”
“I will be there.” I must believe this or I won’t dare to try.
The winds shifts, growing colder. Leaves rustle, falling to the ground as the flowers around us begin to shrivel. I don’t want to return to my cage—the one I never left.
Dian’s form wavers. “Keep safe. Don’t die. Mother is gone, but I’ll not lose you too.”
“I’m not that easy to kill.” My smile hides my fear.
Dian swings around abruptly, muttering a curse. A tall man is striding toward us, impatience in his every step, a lock of his hair falling into his eyes. Heat stirs inside me at the memory of his touch, how he kissed me just last night.
“There are only a few moments left,” Dian says tersely. “Take care, Sister. I will see you soon.”
As she fades away like mist, Jin reaches me, taking my hand. “I should never have left you.”
“They would have forced you to leave the palace. They planned this.”
“Are you all right?” he asks.
“I just have to wait till tomorrow night to escape.”
“Our reinforcements should arrive then,” he assures me.
“How can they get here so quickly from Thorn Valley?”
“When our horses are in their natural form, they travel more swiftly. We will get you out, even if I have to break down their walls.” His gaze holds mine, golden-bright. “Wherever I am, wherever you are—I will come for you.”
His words, so gravely spoken, carve away some of my fear.
Yet he’s already fading, reality tugging apart the seams of our dream.
I’m not thinking right now as I lean toward him, my lips parting.
He draws closer… so close, his warmth glides over me.
He traces my face with his fingertips like he’s memorizing each line.
I am cold inside, but his touch is pure fire.
“If only this were real,” he whispers.
“It is,” I reply.
All goes dark. And then I wake alone in my room, back in the Palace of Nine Hills.