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Silence greeted my request. Just when I thought they would refuse, that I might have to pound the doors down, they slid open. A shield shimmered around the six soldiers, their spears thrust toward me.

Even in the bleakness of my predicament, I stifled the urge to laugh. Did they think me so fearsome?

“Could you take me to Prince Wenzhi?” I asked in my sweetest tone, trying not to choke over the words.

The guards exchanged flustered looks. After whispering among themselves, one of them hurried away. Was it in search of reinforcements? Not long after, a tall, female soldier appeared, stalking down the corridor. Her features were striking, despite the suspicion in her clear, brown eyes. She did not appear anything like the Demons I had expected from Ping’er’s tales—none of them did. Though I hated to admit it, the word “demon” had altered my perceptions, making me think the worst of them when they were no different from the rest of us.

“I’m Captain Mengqi, of Crown Prince Wenzhi’s personal guard. His Highness left orders not to be disturbed today,” the newcomer announced with grim finality.

But I would not return meekly to my room, in no mood to be so easily deflected. “Prince Wenzhi told me I could see him whenever I wished,” I lied baldly, surprised at my own glibness.

A young, pale-skinned soldier piped up, “His Highness is meditating before the batt–” At the fierce glare from Captain Mengqi, he shut his mouth and stepped back.

I sighed, smoothing out the nonexistent creases on my skirt. “Prince Wenzhi will be most displeased to learn of this.” I brightened as though struck by a sudden idea. “Why don’t you take me to him? If he declines to see me, we can come back right away.”

As the captain’s eyes curved with suspicion, I added, “Can’t seven armed soldiers restrain one weaponless and powerless captive?” My voice rang with challenge and a hint of scorn, as I raised my wrists to display the cursed metal which encircled them.

With a jerk of her head, Captain Mengqi indicated that I should follow her. She led the way at a brisk pace, while the other guards trailed after me. With every step I could feel their stares boring into my skull, their spears pointed at my back.

I hurried to keep pace with the captain, studying our path, hoping to find a way out. The heady scent of sandalwood clung to the air, wafting from the bronze, incense burners scattered along the corridor. Ornate gold latticework wrapped the ebony pillars, while the green marble floor was veined with thick streaks of silver.

Through the wooden doors at the end of the corridor, we entered a lush garden. Here, the fragrance of blooming flowers drowned the cloying incense. I paused, turning around as though entranced, as I hunted for anything I might exploit. Jasmine was sometimes used as a sedative, but it was too mild. I ripped a few leaves from the gingko tree, said to cause stomach upsets and dizziness—though I did not know yet what I intended. Despite the abundance of plants and herbs here, I could find nothing else of use, not even a single mushroom with hallucinatory properties. If only I had been a more attentive student! But then I stilled, glimpsing the blue flowers with pointed petals peeking through the grass. I had seen these before . . . the first day in the Chamber of Reflection. The memory of our irate instructor surfaced in my mind, and that of Liwei pretending to fall asleep. Crouching down, I plucked one, pretending to admire it while I bruised its petals between my fingers until they were sticky with juice. As I breathed in its scent, a drowsiness settled over me. I dropped it at once, wiping my hands on my skirt. Star-lilies. Mixed with wine, they could send anyone into the deepest slumber.

Behind me, a soldier cleared his throat impatiently. I glanced up to find Captain Mengqi had already left the garden. I was glad for it as she seemed harder to dupe. Rising, I feigned a stumble—falling and grinding my palm against a rock until blood streaked across it. As the soldiers stared at it in consternation, my other hand snaked around my back to snatch a fistful of flowers.

“How clumsy of me.” I shot them a rueful smile. Hard to believe that I had uttered my first lie just a few years ago. I had hated lying to Liwei and Shuxiao, but this deceit fired something new in me. An unexpected satisfaction, an inner glee—almost—at fooling my captors, to repay Wenzhi in kind.

I shook the dirt from my skirt, slipping the flowers into my pouch. As a shadow fell over me, I looked up to find a stranger standing before us. His clothes were magnificent, almost ostentatious, studded with precious gems which winked against the purple brocade. He seemed somewhat familiar with those high cheekbones, his strong jaw and thin lips. While some might find him attractive, the cunning restlessness in his expression repelled me.

“Your Highness.” The soldiers greeted him with a bow.

Another prince? I thought to myself. Hardly surprising as the Demon King was unwed, rumored to have dozens of concubines, many of whom would be vying for children to secure their influence and position.

He ignored the others; his attention fixed on me. “And who might you be?” His tone was pleasant, but his yellowish eyes reminded me of a serpent hunting for its prey.

I did not reply, unsure of what to say—certain that I would find no allies here. Fortunately, Captain Mengqi appeared, striding toward us. She frowned at the sight of the stranger, although she bowed to him respectfully.

“Captain Mengqi. How rare to see you from my younger brother’s side. Can you tell me who she is?” He gestured toward me.

Younger brother? I started, peering closer at him. Was this Prince Wenshuang? Wenzhi’s hated sibling?

“She is Crown Prince Wenzhi’s guest,” Captain Mengqi replied in a level tone.

A sudden menace swept over the man’s face. Had the mention of Wenzhi’s title infuriated him so? And had Captain Mengqi done it to antagonize him, to avoid our detainment, or both?

Prince Wenshuang cast a dazzling smile at me now, all trace of his ire gone. “I heard news of this. Are you really from the Celestial Kingdom?”

Unsettled by his stare, I nodded tersely.

“Your Highness, forgive us, but we must be on our way.” Captain Mengqi bowed again, her body tensing as she rose.

Prince Wenshuang’s lip curled as he flicked his hand in a dismissive gesture. As we left, I could sense his gaze boring into my back.

We walked through a circular stone gateway into a courtyard, toward a large building surrounded by pine trees—tall and evergreen. The air was fresh and sweet, the scent of pine needles mingling with the night breeze . . . reminiscent of Wenzhi’s own scent, though I quelled the unwanted thought. Black marble pillars flanked the entrance, carved with a swirling pattern inlaid in gold. The closed doors were solid panels of ebony, giving no hint as to what lay behind them.

Captain Mengqi rapped her knuckles against the wood.

A brief silence, then footsteps tread across the floor. “I gave clear instructions that I was not to be disturbed,” Wenzhi said coldly from within.