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Wenzhi’s power pulsed from his fingers, his energy coursing through me with the force of a storm. The black brushstrokes of the characters broke apart, encircling me like a chain, swirling across my body, gliding over my limbs and face before stilling—a heartbeat before seeping into my skin like spilled ink. Pain seared, jagged and raw, like the words were being carved into my flesh. A hoarse gasp broke from me, sweat beading on my brow.

Wenzhi’s grip tightened around my hands. “Shall I stop?”

I shook my head, gritting my teeth. “Continue.”

The hurt swelled until each breath was a struggle. It erupted through every pore on my body, my skin, bones, and teeth—pressed, squeezed, and scorched like I was being made anew, shaped from clay and fired in a forge … like those soldiers Wugang had spoken of, who guarded the mortal emperor’s tomb. Just when I could bear it no more, a scream rising from my throat—the agony subsided, leaving a dull throb throughout my body and an unfamiliar tautness like the thinnest of threads stretched between Wenzhi and me.

As he released my hands, I staggered back, clutching the table. My vision blurred then sharpened once more. I lifted my fingers to my face, running them over my chin, the slender arch of my nose and cheekbones.

My eyes collided with my mother’s, hers widening with disbelief. “Your face,” she stammered.

“Did it work?” I started to hear her bell-like tones emerging from my throat.

“Yes. For as long as the enchantment holds,” Wenzhi said.

“How long do I have?” I asked.

“As long as you need.” He tilted his head toward me. “You must be careful not to unleash the feather’s power while it’s within you. Keep yourself shielded from it at all times.”

“I will,” I assured him.

“Will Wugang sense your magic?” Liwei asked anxiously.

As I glanced at Wenzhi, he shook his head. “It will be masked, along with your aura.”

A powerful spell. Little wonder that his father had kept this scroll with his most treasured possessions. “Is it a strain on you?” I asked.

He smiled. “I can bear it as long as you can.”

“How will you fight?” I wanted to know.

“General Mengqi will lead the army in my stead. You and I are linked through this spell; I can’t be too far from you. I will follow at a safe distance.” His brow creased, unease flashing across his face. He did not like leaving his army in the care of others, yet some battles were not won on the field.

“What if Wugang’s soldiers sense you?” I asked him.

“I will go with him,” Liwei said.

Wenzhi stiffened. “I’ll take my chances with Wugang’s soldiers.”

“I would be glad to let you,” Liwei countered. “But I will risk no disruption to the spell. For tonight, I will guard your safety as I would Xingyin’s.”

Wenzhi hesitated, before inclining his head in acceptance. Warmth suffused my heart at this exchange; a deep sense of peace. There were far too many reasons for them to be at odds—the Celestial Heir and the Demon King—and I was glad to no longer be one of them.

“I will be there too,” my father said. I would be glad for his presence, that they would keep each other safe.

“How will you unleash the feather?” Liwei asked me.

“Once I’m close enough to the laurel, I will undo the enchantment which binds it. Wugang will be too distracted trying to save the laurel to prevent my escape,” I said smoothly. Only someone assured of success would speak so … or a practiced liar.

Wenzhi’s gaze narrowed. “Have you decided where to plant the feather?”

“By its roots.” For that was how the laurel had drunk of Wugang’s blood and my mother’s tears—and that was how I would end it.

Despite my glib answers, this was no simple matter. There were far too many things that could go wrong, countless terrifying scenarios I had replayed through my mind to better prepare myself. My greatest fear was Wugang might sense a trap, that he would see through my disguise and destroy the feather before I had a chance to unleash it. There was just one Sacred Flame Feather left in the realm; I could not waste it. Which meant, I had to maintain my pretense until the last possible moment … and that I would have the barest sliver of time to escape.

I glanced up to find Liwei staring at me. Perhaps he sensed the dread that thickened my blood, the anxiety tangling my insides. “Be careful, Xingyin. Once you unleash the feather, hide. Don’t take on Wugang alone. We will come the moment you need us.”

“If Wugang detects your disguise, if the link between us is severed—I will sense it at once. You won’t be alone, even if you don’t see us there,” Wenzhi assured me.