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My throat thickens as I glance at Dian. “We would be honored.”
Thank you.
The glowing edges of the flowers darken, the fragrance vanishing. In silence, I dig up the carp’s bones, still wrapped in the cloth. Dian takes the bundle from me. “I will keep them safe with the starfire.”
I nod, unable to speak, a fire raging through me. I will return to the Palace of Nine Hills, and even though its iron jaws will close tighter around me this time, I will pry them apart to right the wrong done to my mother, to seize back what was stolen from us.
And I won’t let them take me.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
I n the dwindling light, Dian and I head to the pond, watching the dragonflies dart over the gleaming water, alighting on the feathery reeds. The flowers have all wilted, in place are their withered stems.
She hands me a pouch of green cloth. “Take this with you.”
I thank her, opening it to sift through dried herbs and flowers, many I’ve never seen before. A few small lumps and coils of incense are nestled among them. “Will you teach me about these?”
Dian shakes a handful onto her palm, prodding at a cluster of bell-shaped flowers. “When set alight, these flare as bright as fireworks. The reddish strands are night-root, as you know, while the yellow flowers can induce confusion, though its effects are short-lived.” She holds up a piece of ink-dark incense coiled around a crystal shard. “This forges connections in dreams—but only if the incense blend used by both sides is identical. It’s rare, and I have only one matched set left for us. Use it sparingly, only when you urgently need to reach me.”
Its sweetness is startlingly familiar. “Is this what you used on Jin and me in the tower?”
“Did you enjoy it?” As she smirks, I resist the urge to toss the pouch at her. It’s a priceless hoard, as powerful as the sharpest weapon.
“It was just a dream.”
“Dreams can be shaped from your thoughts and emotions, your desires—even those you might not be aware of. Whatever happened then, it was real in a way.” A frown lines her brow as her gaze slides to Jin. “He is not for you, Sister.”
“What do you mean?” I ask carefully.
She bends to pluck a wild chrysanthemum, just as I used to. The flower quivers, its petals seeming to brighten in her hand as she tucks it into her sash. “Be careful with those from Thorn Valley; they want our magic too. Our island used to sustain their forests and crops, our waters were a key source of their food. In return, they helped keep us safe.”
Something jars me. “You said ‘used to.’ What about now?”
“After the Iron Mountains invaded, relations between our kingdoms have grown tense. They aren’t allowed to visit our island anymore, nor do we share the magic that helps their valley thrive.”
“Then the Iron Mountains has weakened us by driving this wedge deeper.”
“Some of our people question how the tragedy of the Sun Dragon, of you and Mother, unfolded, if it was allowed on purpose to give Thorn Valley greater dominance.”
“Jin’s father died to protect us,” I say slowly, piecing together what I know. And Jin had looked out for me before knowing who I was, even when he thought I’d betrayed him.
“Mother died too.” Her voice grows cold. “Lord Jin-Yong is not someone you should grow close to. The moment he learned who you are, everything between you was rewritten. He wants your power, what you can give him. His keen mind has been turning to how he can use you to help his kingdom.”
“You forget, I have no magic.” My tone hardens to match hers. “I can even touch the iron of these cursed mountains.”
“It lies inside you—buried but not lost,” she replies adamantly. “Once we’re home, we’ll find a way to restore your magic.”
“I just have to stay alive,” I say wryly.
I glance at the pond, at my reflection. Since I left, the waters have grown murky again, yet that is not why I look different from before. All I’ve undergone is etched in my face, a new gravity to their lines.
“When we return home, you should end your association with the heir of Thorn Valley,” Dian tells me. “Don’t give anyone a chance to doubt your loyalties.”
My lips press together. “I don’t like being told what to do.” Not even by a newfound sister.
“I’m the same.” She grins, but then it fades. “There are many rules on our island, but we just want to protect our home. Get to know us first, and then decide for yourself which rules you’ll break. I don’t want you to close the door before it was even opened.”
Jin and Ruilin are coming toward us, bringing the horses to drink from the pond. He’s watching me intently like he knows we’re speaking of him. At once, I look down at the pouch in my hand like I’m inspecting its contents.
