Zizi laughed. “I’ve always appreciated your candor.”
“In that case, I have to ask—are you really all right? You were unconscious for three days. What happened in Youdu?”
“I feel absolutely fine,” Zizi said, waving dismissively, ignoring his aching back. It was only stiff because he’d lain in bed for so long. Or at least, he hoped it was so.
Looking unconvinced, Nikai uncovered the tray that was on the table. It was filled with breakfast delicacies. “I figured you need human food.”
“You’re the best Reaper a King could have!” Zizi exclaimed. Gleefully, he reached for a cup.
“You should eat something before putting caffeine into your system, Your Majesty.”
The Reaper cast a look so disapproving it felt as if he’d slapped Zizi’s outstretched hand, but Zizi said cheerfully, “I forgot how much of a nag you are.” He spooned some congee into his mouth instead, and the warm, savory mush settled his stomach. “And I remember you being more respectful.”
“I remember you not looking like a teenage delinquent,” Nikai retorted. His face went beet red. “Sorry, Your Majesty. It’s just—it’s very hard getting used to your new form.”
“Get used to it at once,” Zizi said, biting into an egg tart. The mix ofbutter and sugar improved his mood immediately. As he ate, Nikai brought him up to speed on everything that was happening in the Fourth Court. Zizi was surprised and irritated to find little to complain about Ten’s management of his kingdom during his absence beyond a few minor changes.
“What’s my sly sibling up to these days?”
“He’s still confined to his throne room.” Nikai’s eyes widened. “There’s a rumor that it might be apermanentconfinement.”
“I sense some sympathy for that scoundrel. Didn’t he lock you up?”
Nikai wrinkled his nose, looking awkward. “He did. But he also found you in the end, and I’m glad for that. For what it’s worth, Ten did miss you, and he wanted you back desperately.”
“You’re too nice, Nikai,” Zizi scolded. But he didn’t feel like gloating over his sibling’s predicament either. A permanent imprisonment would be devastating to any King, and like Zizi, Ten valued his freedom.
“There’s, uh, one more thing.” Nikai was looking down at his shiny buckled loafers.
“Spill it.”
“I’ve been keeping tabs on the mortal realm in case you wanted to know about the situation there.”
“What situation?” Zizi’s body had gone rigid, as if it expected bad news.
“The Hybrids possess a spell that can turn ordinary humans into half monsters like them. They’ve been using it, and I fear a massive confrontation with the Exorcists is on the horizon.” Nikai added quickly, “But it’s the mortals’ fight. We can’t interfere—the Elder Gods would never allow it.”
Zizi swore. That damned talisman that Ten had coerced him into creating. He’d been too distraught over his imminent parting with Rui to make sure it was destroyed in the tunnels. A fatal error on his part, and now the mortal realm was paying for it.
Worse, he’d created that spell with the remnants of One’s willow branch. It was a relic, which meant that the Hybrids’ talisman was imbued withunderworldmagic. Every time they cast it, power from Hell leaked into the world of the living. Zizi’s current mortal form might be onereason why the Nothing hadn’t fully receded, but the Hybrids’ actions were disrupting the balance as well. Both worlds were still in peril.
He’d told the Elder Gods he would not raise a hand in matters outside his jurisdiction, but maybe there was some wiggle room here. The situation involved Hybrid Revenants, and Revenants were linked to the souls that the underworld collected and housed. Everything was connected in some way. If Zizi were to lift only a pinkie finger—
“I’ve also been checking on Rui.” Nikai’s voice seemed to reverberate in the room.
The sound of her name was a stab to Zizi’s gut.How is she?he wanted to ask.Is she happy?Does she think ofme?
“Don’t worry, I’ve been discreet,” Nikai said. “She isn’t aware of my presence. She’s been—”
“Stop. I don’t need to know.”
Nikai pursed his lips. “Yes, my King.”
From his reaction, Zizi guessed that the Reaper had an idea of what had transpired between the two in the mortal world. “Go back to your duties,” he said. “I’ll be fine here by myself. And please, call me Zizi when it’s just us.”
Nikai grinned like a kid who had just been given permission to swear out loud. “Okay,Zizi.”
After he left, Zizi stared at the plain white wall across his bed. On the surface, it looked like empty space. He snapped his fingers. The paint melted away, revealing a portrait of a young woman dressed in a purple hanfu.
