“Nix told me you’re a good person,” I said. “She seems to believe that you’ll make a good emperor someday, too.”
“A day I hope won’t come too soon.”
“You don’t want to be emperor?”
“Not if I can help it.”
My eyebrows shot up.
“Don’t be so surprised,” he said. “I’m in no rush to take the title. Any sane man doesn’t want his father to die so he can take his crown.”
At least Qian had one thing going for him: He wasn’t power hungry like I initially expected of a crown prince. It was as if the light had shifted on his face, and now I saw him more clearly. Like me, he was just trying to do right. He was probably one of the only people who understood what I was going through.
A playful glint appeared in his eye. “What else did Nix say about me?” he asked.
“That you’re a hunter, that you’re patient and calculating.”
Qian laughed. “She speaks too highly of me.”
A bee landed on Qian’s hand. He didn’t flinch but simply raised it to his face, inspecting it closely before it flew away. He was a lot different from what I had expected. I needed to find a way to appeal to him.
“Neither of us wants war,” I said.
Qian tipped his head. “On that we can both agree.”
“Really? You seemed so blasé about it earlier. I figured you were out for blood.”
Qian sighed loudly through his nose and glanced toward the sea. “First impressions are not my strong suit. And based on your reaction, they’re not yours, either.” He tapped on his broken nose.“But I’m not opposed to finding a more diplomatic solution with you. War is a failure on all fronts.”
“Good,” I said. “I’m not your enemy.”
Qian regarded me for a moment, taking me in with a slight smile. “No, indeed, you’re not. Especially after I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you.”
Even as I gazed across the seascape, I could still feel his eyes on me. It wasn’t particularly uncomfortable, but at the same time, I didn’t know what to do. He was making my heart race.
“I am sorry for what happened,” he said. “Truly. I hope you won’t hold it against us.”
“A prince apologizing? I’m shocked.” I didn’t mean to say that out loud. I covered my mouth, but he laughed heartily at that. “I’m sorry. I’m not one to hold grudges, for too long at least. And I’m sorry about your nose. How is it?”
“Better. Nothing a healer can’t fix. Do try and not make a habit out of it, though. I find I rather like the shape of it.”
That got me to smile, and Qian seemed pleased with himself. I joined him at the railing and looked out across the water. Fishing boats bobbed on the horizon, and below, coming into view only when the breeze cut through the branches of the palm trees, we could see the market, teeming with activity and noise. Biringan City was a peaceful place, and I couldn’t imagine war coming to its shores. It was the absolute last thing I wanted, but it didn’t feel right handing Nix over to her family so easily.
“Nix feels at home here,” I said. “She said she doesn’t want to be caged. Isn’t it fair to give her that freedom?”
“The world is dangerous. A cage in shark-infested waters is also protection.” Qian tilted his head, curious. “How would your mother feel if you fled to another country? She’d probably think you were in danger or hurt. There’d be a million terrible things running through her head at all times, keeping her up at all hours, wondering if you were safe. And if she found you, would you blame her for wanting to take you home?”
“No,” I admitted. “It’s not too far off from what really happened, though our roles were reversed. I had to escape the human world and left my mom behind while she tried to protect me. She got hurt and was in the hospital while I was stuck here, trying to figure out the mess left by my father’s passing. I felt so alone.”
“Then you understand how protective I am of Nix. You see how I would move heaven and earth to ensure that she’s safe.” He came around to my other side, the scent of him catching the breeze and enveloping me. He smelled like bergamot.
“There’s a fine line between wanting to protect someone and wanting to control them,” I said.
“I disagree. Protection isn’t control. It’s only love. Nix is my favorite of all my sisters,” Qian said. “When we were growing up, she was my shadow. I could hardly step two paces without finding her underfoot. When my father and I went on hunting trips, she’d cry and scream, wanting to go with us, but her nursemaids never let her, fearing it was too dangerous. Once, though, I found her stowed away in my luggage, and I pretended not to hear her giggling as we rode out into the forest. I circled the palace a few times until she started snoring and returned her to her room.” Hissmile was warm—no doubt it was a good memory—and when he looked at me, there was only sincerity. “Nix means too much to me to let her go so easily.”
“I understand. Really, I do. Nix has been a true friend to me since I arrived. I didn’t have anyone except for her.”
“But you can’t keep her safe like I can.”
