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He smiled. “Well enough to know that you’d find my home far more comfortable, and infinitely safer.”

“I will not go to the Cloud Wall,” I told him bluntly. “I do not trust your kin.”

“Neither do I,” he agreed. “But an enemy in the open is safer than a friend who might turn on you at any moment.”

“The Cloud Wall?” My mother repeated in a dazed voice. “Where is that?”

“The Demon Realm,” I said.

My mother recoiled. All she knew of the Demons was how they were depicted in the tales—as evil, vicious, hideous creatures who feasted on the flesh and suffering of others. In my childhood, it had been a comfort to believe such monsters were tucked away on the outskirts of the realm, where only the overly brave and foolhardy ventured. I now knew that was an illusion. Demons were everywhere, by deed if not by name, and they did not wait for you to seek them out.

“The Demon Realm used to be called the Cloud Wall, part of the Celestial Kingdom. They were exiled for their magic, which the emperor had decreed forbidden. They are … just like other immortals,” I explained.

I had not told my mother much of my time there, eager to forget it myself. Moreover, few spoke of this, particularly in the Celestial Kingdom. History was rewritten as it pleased the victor or buried when it was an inconvenient truth. Those of the Cloud Wall had done terrible things; they had destroyed and hurt others—but who had not in a war? The Celestial Kingdom was not blameless either, and fighting for one’s home was something I could comprehend.

“Was this magic so dangerous?” my mother asked.

“All magic is dangerous, particularly when wielded as a weapon,” Wenzhi said.

“Though some can cause far greater hurt.” I repressed a shiver as I recalled Liwei’s blank gaze, the moment he had thrust his sword into my heart.

No, I could not forget what Wenzhi had done, these unseen wounds he had inflicted—the fruits of his devious schemes. A fragile truce was the only thing I would allow us, as far as forgiveness went on my part. I would trust him only when our interests were aligned, and I would not hesitate to use him to our advantage just as he had used me before. And if he was to turn on me again … this time my arrow would find its mark.

“We will leave right after Ping’er’s funeral,” I told him. “Have you heard any news of Liwei?”

A line creased Wenzhi’s brow. “His Highness has been moved from his courtyard and is being held under guard.”

The fear caged within me broke free, images flashing through my mind of Liwei locked in a windowless cell, tormented into some baseless confession. “Why would they do this?”

“His Highness has recently acquired a startling number of enemies. His position has never been so vulnerable, and many see a rare opportunity in the tussle for power.”

My insides twisted, imagining assassins dispatched to murder Liwei, poison in his cup, carefully orchestrated “accidents.”

Sensing my distress, Shuxiao wrapped an arm across my shoulders, hugging me to her. “No one will dare to harm him.”

“Because of his position?” My tone was hopeful yet dulled.

“Because of his mother,” she said wryly.

I found no levity in this wretched situation, that the Celestial Empress was now my best hope to keep Liwei safe. For once, I was glad for her devious cunning and ruthless spite. Few in the Jade Palace would dare cross her.

“Can she protect him?” I asked Wenzhi.

“The empress is trying but her hands are tied. The true power lies with His Celestial Majesty and she cannot be seen to defy him, for it would endanger her own position and safety.”

“Where is Liwei confined?”

Wenzhi’s eyes narrowed. “You can’t get into the Jade Palace. Not even with my aid.”

“Why not?” I asked.

“After the Imperial Treasury was breached, new wards have been woven around the palace, barring entry to all outsiders except those allowed by General Wu.” Wenzhi threw a cautious glance my way. “More guards have been stationed around the walls. They will not be easily led astray, when the threat of whipping or worse hangs over them.”

“I must rescue Liwei,” I said flatly.

“How, if the palace is so tightly guarded? If you are captured, they will never let you out again, and you will make things worse for His Highness,” Shuxiao warned.

“I need someone inside the Jade Palace to help,” I said slowly. “The wards cannot be broken from outside.”