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Such winding thoughts from the king … I almost missed the blunt fury of the Celestial Emperor. “Your Majesty, this is no trick. If I lied, would you not have sensed it?” A challenge tossed down so lightly, I hoped he would take the bait.
He shook his head as though to say: Not good enough. Balancing an elbow on the armrest of his throne, he rested his chin upon his fist. The Virtuous Consort offered him a cup of wine, which he refused with an impatient flick of his wrist.
“The Divine Mirror Scroll is a precious treasure of our realm. It can only be used once. A difficult enchantment to perform, one which comes at great cost to the caster. Are you worthy of it? Can I trust you, an outsider, unbound to us by blood or name?” He spoke slowly, with deliberate measure. “If you were family, that would be a different matter. You know my condition for the scroll.”
“Why do you want this, Your Majesty?” Part of me dreaded his answer.
The king’s laugh was like rocks ground together. “You have no kingdom nor title, though your lineage is strong—as is the power that flows in your veins. I have heard of your accomplishments from my own informants: your standing in the Celestial Army, the dragons, and yes, even your flight from our hospitality.”
As muted laughter rippled through the room, Wenzhi swung around. His glare quelled them as effectively as a drawn blade, yet his face gave no indication of his thoughts.
The king leaned forward, his gaze fixed on mine. “Marry my heir, and the scroll is yours.”
“No.” The refusal sprang to my lips before I could stop it. To hear his demand spoken in such an implacable manner jarred me. But I bit back my harsher words, for I could not risk offending the king. To him, this was not so unreasonable a request. Royal children often married to suit their parents’ preferences—whether to secure an alliance, strengthen ties, or settle old rivalries.
Except I was no royal and I was never one for obeying commands, particularly those issued by overbearing monarchs.
The king’s mouth slanted in a cunning smile as he gestured at Wenzhi. “Come, now. My request is no hardship. My son is not displeasing to look at. Moreover, he is no stranger to you; you liked him well enough in the past.”
I gritted my teeth as Wenzhi shot me a warning look. I did not need his reminder; I would not lash out like some petulant child. “Your Majesty, you honor me.” The words crumbled like stale bread in my mouth. “However, I am promised to another.” I had no compunction about lying to him. Beside me, Wenzhi tensed, his face impassive.
The king shrugged. “Such things change as quickly as kingdoms are lost.”
“Spouses are not as easily traded as heirs.” My furious reply rolled off my tongue.
“Ah, you are wrong, my dear.” The king shifted, resting his palms upon his knees. “The heads of both can be just as easily dispatched.”
The threat plunged into the silence like a brick tossed into a pond. Relief flooded me that Liwei was waiting in the Golden Desert, safe from the king’s ruthless machinations.
“Your Majesty must be mistaken,” I tried again. “I am no matrimonial prize. I can bring you neither power, a kingdom, nor allies.”
“That is not quite true.” The king lowered his tone to a conspiratorial whisper. “I know who your father is—the dragons he used to command, the heavenly creatures he slew. His blood and strength flow in your veins.”
“The dragons are freed of their bond. They no longer answer to him.” I was guarded, unsure of his intent.
“Such ancient ties are not easily broken. If he calls, they will come. Besides, the Cloud Wall needs such strength as you can bring to our line, the children you will bear.”
Red flashed through my vision at his words. I would not dwell on his meaning; rage would engulf me if I did. “The urgency is to defeat Wugang. Now, before he becomes unstoppable.”
“Perhaps he is already unstoppable.” The king spread his hands wide. “Wugang has offered us an alliance. It would be prudent for us to accept. At least for now.”
I glanced at Wenzhi, who shook his head.
“My son knows nothing of this. I will accept the newly crowned Celestial Emperor’s offer if you refuse mine. I have no love for the Celestial Kingdom; it gladdens me to see them brought low. Yet Wugang’s rise threatens us too. Not now, when there are greater prizes to seize, the jewel of the Celestial Kingdom for the taking. But new horizons will beckon to him soon, his thirst for conquest unquenched. Such as he will not be satisfied with one kingdom when there are eight.”
“Then we must stop him—”
“Among all the kingdoms in the Immortal Realm, the Cloud Wall alone has the choice to bide our time,” the king interjected. “To study our enemy, to fortify ourselves when others are weakened, to eliminate enemies of the past—and to strike when it is least expected.”
“Wugang will only grow stronger,” Wenzhi cautioned. “His army will multiply with none to stop him, and once the other kingdoms fall, their armies will be his to command.”
“Whatever is left of their armies.” The king spoke with a brutal callousness. “Nor will we be idle; we will prepare ourselves for any eventuality. This new order might be to our favor, for we are weary of being the outcasts of the realm.”
“Father, surely you do not believe that—” Wenzhi protested.
The king’s hand flew up. “Enough. My patience is wearing thin.”
Perhaps the king had been isolated in his domain for too long, not comprehending the danger to the realm. Or perhaps it was a cunning tactic to force our hand. My hand, I thought wrathfully.
