“Of course she did. Guess she can’t let loose even at her own graduation party.”
Rui’s injuries had healed faster than Yiran’s, and she’d thrown herself into preparing for her official admittance into the Exorcist Guild. Yiran had a feeling it was a way to distract herself from her own thoughts.
Ash clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m headed back. Dinner at home this weekend?”
“Make it lunch.”
“All right. Have fun, kiddo.”
A gust of wind rattled the windows, and Yiran retreated into the ballroom. A hot cup of tea sounded more enticing by the second. He called out to the bartender, who gave him a curious look.
“Song Yiran?”
“Yeah?”
“Got a delivery for you.” The bartender placed a tall paper cup with an oversized straw sticking out of its cap on the counter.
The sweet scent of winter melon tea wafted up. Heart racing, Yiran ripped off the cap and looked inside. Tapioca pearls and nata jelly.
The dance music seemed to fade into the background as he stared, motionless.
Zizi’s destruction of the rogue talisman had caused a temporary shift in the human realm’s atmospheric energies that day at the warehouse. It’d felt as if the world had taken a long, deep breath and restarted. Yiran couldn’t explain how, but he’d known then the balance between the realms had returned. The wing shard he’d been holding had vanished, and he’d immediately gone back to the spot where he’d left Yuki. There had been no one and nothing there. No violet yinqi shards.
But no ashes either.
What if...
Yiran spun on his heel, eyes desperately scanning the crowd.
Someone tapped his shoulder from behind.
If he turned around, would he see those storm-gray eyes again?
As an unofficial member of Ada’s organizational team, Rui had been busy since the morning. Now that the banquet and party games were over, there wasn’t much to do except dance. But she hadn’t found her friends, and her new shoes were hurting her feet. She was on the verge of breaking the heels off when she spotted a familiar figure by the bar. Pulling off her mask, she trotted over and tapped him on the shoulder.
Yiran swiveled around.
“Did I scare you?” Rui said when she saw his face. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” To her surprise, he started laughing as though she’d told the world’s funniest joke. She scowled. “I thought you said you didn’t drink.”
Bent double, Yiran shook his head. “Not drunk... He’s—I shouldn’t... Never mind. Forget about it.” He straightened, grinning from ear to ear. “You caught me in a great mood.”
“Riiight.” She noticed the cup in his hand. “Did you actually order delivery in the middle of a snowstorm?”
“Not exactly. Want some?”
She shrugged and took a sip. The tea was warm, and the bubbles were still chewy.
Yiran stared at her gown. “You look like a tiny purple fairy.” When she glared, he added, “It’s a compliment.” More quietly: “I see the inspiration.”
He and Ada were the only ones who knew that Rui’s Zizi-shaped memories had returned. On a whim, she’d designed her own outfit for the ball, and Mai had recommended her family’s seamstress. It turned out surprisingly well, considering Rui had given the lady an amateur sketch. The final result was a beautiful bustier gown with layers of gossamer embroidered with sequins and crystals in a pattern that resembled wisteria petals.
“My feet hurt,” Rui said, knowing Yiran would understand her cue.
He obliged and changed the topic. “Mom’s visiting the city next week. She’ll be staying at the mansion, and she says she’ll cook dinner if Auntie Kimmie lets her have free rein of the kitchen. You’re invited too.”
The smile on his face was so contagious, Rui’s mood lifted. “I’m sure Auntie Kimmie will agree, or they could have a cook-off, and we’ll be the winners because we get to feast.”
Mai appeared then, screeching at Yiran, “Where have you been? All Best Dressed nominees have to go backstage. They’re announcing the results soon.” She dragged him away, calling out over her shoulder, “You look beautiful, Rui—we have to take photos later!”
