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“Then we’ll have to ensure they don’t.”

“We?”

She folded her arms across her chest. “I’m coming with you.”

Hope flared in me before it was abruptly doused. She was a Celestial; her loyalties lay here. She served the army to protect her family—how could I so selfishly undo her sacrifice, exposing her to the emperor’s wrath?

“No, you can’t abandon your position.” When she started to protest, I continued, “Listen. My father slew the empress’s kin. My mother defied the emperor. I’m in disfavor, too. You can’t get drawn into this; you have your own family to protect. What if Their Celestial Majesties took their anger out on them?”

Her face fell. “I couldn’t bear that.”

“Neither could I. Because we are the same,” I said somberly. “We will do things for our family—our loved ones—that we would not for ourselves. I only learned this about myself after I left my home. Some might call us fools. Those who don’t understand, never will.”

She did not protest, although she seemed troubled still. “You can’t go alone. It’s too dangerous. What if I joined you without anyone knowing?”

“I’m just asking the dragons for their pearls.” I spoke with an assurance I did not feel. “Those of the Eastern Sea claim the dragons are peaceful. The worst thing they can do is refuse.”

My composure wavered as the emperor’s words echoed in my mind: Use whatever means necessary. Not a suggestion but a command.

“And you won’t be alone,” Wenzhi said, coming forward. How long had he been there? “I will go with you.”

It was not in my nature to lean upon another but, oh, how relieved I was to hear this. He was not vulnerable like Shuxiao; he would be leaving this place soon. More than that, we had fought together so many times, I was glad he would be with me for this.

Shuxiao sucked in a breath. Recovering herself, she bowed hastily to Wenzhi.

“Lieutenant, would you excuse us?” he asked. “I have something to discuss with Xingyin.”

She tilted her head at me in an unspoken question. I loved her for it, that she watched out for my needs first. Yet that was precisely why I could not risk her joining me, I could not risk her angering those who had the power to retaliate and hurt her.

“Shuxiao, I’ll be fine.”

“If you change your mind, I could tell General Jianyun I’m feeling ill for the next few days. Old fox spirit bite acting up, and all,” she added earnestly.

Wenzhi scowled. “Lieutenant, I hope you don’t make a practice of such irresponsible behavior.”

“No, Captain.” She bowed to him, again. “Only for special occasions.”

I stifled a laugh as she left, sobered by the thought of what lay ahead. Wenzhi and I walked in silence, entering a familiar garden surrounding a tranquil lake. Without warning, he took my arm and drew me across the wooden bridge into the Willow Song Pavilion. I cast aside those unwanted memories of all the times I had sat here with Liwei.

He released me then, turning to stare at the mirror-like surface of the water. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

I closed my eyes, thinking of the night I had fled my home—stricken with grief and terror. The urgency in my mother’s voice as she had sworn me to secrecy. “I made a promise to my mother.”

“After all we’ve been through, don’t you trust me?”

“Of course, I do. But this was not a secret I could share on a whim. It would have endangered us all.” I reached out to touch his wrist. “Does it matter? I’m still who I’ve always been.”

He turned his hand around to clasp mine. “You’re right; it doesn’t matter. Though I wish you had told me before. Maybe I could have helped. Maybe I still can.”

It touched me, his unflinching acceptance of my past. His unwavering support. Until this moment, I had not been sure of it. I leaned against him, resting my head on his chest as his arm slid around my shoulders. The scent clinging to his skin was fresh and evergreen.

“I wanted to tell you. One day, when we were far from here.”

His heart thudded against my ear, quicker than before. “Does this change anything? Will you still come with me?”

“Yes.” A thrill coursed through me that now, there was neither hesitation nor doubt. “But I must help my mother first. I must fulfill the emperor’s task. Will you wait a little longer?”

Wenzhi’s arms tightened, holding me closer. “As long as you are mine as I am yours, we have all the time in the world.”