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“Thank you for you listening,” he said quietly. “I hope we will always speak like this. That you will share with me any worries you have.”

He picked up his bowl though the congee had gone cool. We did not speak for the rest of the meal, but I ate with newfound relish, the burden on my conscience eased.

When Captain Wenzhi and I arrived at the Fragrant Coral Palace, an attendant showed us to a room on the highest floor. The windows opened out to the azure sea, ever shifting and boundless. Rosewood chairs were arranged around a large table, carved from a single slab of wood. Prince Yanxi and six other immortals were clustered around it, engaged in a heated discussion.

Dismissing the need for courtesies, the prince introduced us quickly to the commanders in the room. His face was grim as he said, “The merfolk never dared to storm the palace before. They would only do so now because they believe their army strong enough to confront us. Which means we’re running out of time.”

Captain Wenzhi lowered himself onto a chair and gestured for me to do the same. An attendant hurried over to fill our cups with tea. “They might also wish to antagonize you into retaliating rashly,” he warned.

Prince Yanxi nodded tersely. “We will be cautious. However, if we allow Governor Renyu to attack us without repercussion, this will only embolden him further.” His gaze met mine across the room. “The First Archer’s point about ensuring the battle is fought on land is a vital one. The merfolk would undoubtedly prefer to draw us underwater where they are strongest.”

Captain Wenzhi clasped his hands together on the table. “Orchestrating the confrontation would allow us to choose the battleground. You’ve said the merfolk venture to shore to raid. Is there any other occasion that would bring them to land?”

“None that we know of,” Prince Yanxi replied.

“Then we need to lure them to us. What can we use as bait?” Captain Wenzhi said decisively.

A few generals shifted in their chairs as though disconcerted by his suggestion. I took a sip of tea to loosen the tightness in my throat. “It should be something that would tempt Governor Renyu himself to lead the charge. This can only work once,” I added quickly, before I lost my nerve.

“I agree. Has the governor led a charge before?” Captain Wenzhi asked.

“No. He’s powerful but very cautious,” Prince Yanxi said.

Captain Wenzhi sighed. “If I might speak plainly, Your Highness?” At Prince Yanxi’s nod, he continued, “Magical items or treasure might not be enough to entice him to risk his neck. However, we are now aware that Prince Yanming is crucial to the governor’s plans.”

Prince Yanxi’s chair scraped against the floor as he uncoiled to his full height. “You want to use my little brother as bait?” he ground out.

Captain Wenzhi did not flinch, appearing indifferent to the prince’s wrath. “Your brother will be taken to safety at the first sign of danger. We just need him to draw the governor into our trap.”

Prince Yanxi glared at him. “How can you ensure his safety?”

I recalled the young prince from last night, the one who had gripped his mother’s hand so tightly and laid his face against her shoulder. It reminded me of how I had clutched my own mother during the times I had been most afraid—when I almost drowned in the river, when I learned I had to leave my home.

Something hardened inside me, a voice rising from my throat to say, “I’ll guard Prince Yanming.”

All heads swung toward me then, their surprise and skepticism marked clear upon their faces. I was in disbelief myself; until this moment, this had not been my intent.

Only Captain Wenzhi smiled. “She will be the perfect guard to watch over His Highness. I will protect him, too. We can’t surround him with more guards than usual, not without arousing suspicion.”

I slumped against my chair, relieved to no longer be the center of attention. Or was it because of his offer to stand watch with me?

A little of the ice thawed in Prince Yanxi’s expression as he sat down again.

Captain Wenzhi plunged ahead, always quick to sense an opening. “This plan will work. After last night’s attack, Governor Renyu must realize it would be near impossible to take the prince from here. We could spread the news that Prince Yanming will be leaving soon for the Celestial Kingdom for his safety. All we need is for him to appear on the beach, to convince the governor of his presence. First Archer Xingyin and I will be with him at every moment. If this doesn’t draw out Governor Renyu, nothing will.”

A stout general with light brown hair frowned. “His Highness has just his governess and one guard with him at all times. Moreover”—he reddened as he shot me a furtive look—“there are no women in our army. Would not the First Archer’s presence make the enemy suspicious?”

Silence greeted his astute observation.

Captain Wenzhi tucked his chin between his fingers as his gaze slid over me. “First Archer Xingyin can disguise as Lady Anmei, the prince’s governess.”

I froze, quelling an instinctive protest. How could I delude anyone into thinking I was the elegant lady from the banquet? My opinion was apparently shared by many as the generals exchanged incredulous glances, though they seemed too polite to voice their reservations aloud.

Captain Wenzhi had no such scruples. “I know she looks nothing like Lady Anmei, but with the right clothes and accessories, some face paint—”

“Captain Wenzhi, thank you for your confidence in me,” I interjected, fighting down a flash of irritation at his callous remarks.

Prince Yanxi’s expression was still grim. “My brother will be taken away before the battle begins.” It was a demand, not a question.