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A jagged silence descends. Others are watching us. Though they can’t hear our words, the tension is loud. “I have a request of you,” I begin.

Prince Zixin smooths an imaginary wrinkle on his sleeve. “Another favor?” he drawls with infuriating arrogance. “What do you wish this time?”

I bite the inside of my cheek. “We need Lady Shufang’s permission to explore where the Ice Pearls are cultivated. We’re running out of time to find the waterfall—to help the dragon you claim to care for.”

“The cultivation of Ice Pearls is a delicate process, closely guarded. Lady Shufang will not readily grant this.”

“Do you lack confidence in persuading her?” Jin needles him.

Prince Zixin’s hand fists on the table, his temper slipping. “Lady Shufang will grant me anything I desire. But why should I help you? I have fulfilled my pledge. Now keep yours—give me the antidote.”

“You aren’t suffering any pains yet; Your Highness isn’t in danger,” I assure him. “While we remain here, we are vulnerable. What if you betray us after taking the antidote?”

“I could force you to give it to me,” he says icily. “Imagine what Lady Shufang would do if she knew you’d poisoned me. Would you refuse to surrender the antidote if her soldiers threatened your sister?”

Fury roils, speared with fear. “You’re not stupid, Your Highness,” Jin says caustically. “It’s in your best interest to help us. You need us to restore the dragon, along with Mist Island’s strength, else your sister will rule over the realms unrivaled.” He adds with emphasis, “Betray us, and you’ll gain more enemies when you desperately need friends. It would also make Lady Shufang doubt you, after you claimed we are your allies.”

“I will give you the antidote after this,” I promise him. “We just need your help—”

“If you want another favor, offer me something more.”

“Don’t you wish to save the Sun Dragon?” I ask.

Prince Zixin smiles, his cold beautiful one, my skin prickling in trepidation. “My help comes at a price. Something freely given will never be valued.”

“Is that why those most loyal to you betrayed you?” Jin observes. “The things of greatest worth often have no price.”

The prince flushes as he rises abruptly. “I must return to Lady Shufang.”

“Wait.” My gut churns. “What do you want?”

Slowly, he sits back down, his eyes shards of obsidian. “Once you find the waterfall, our paths will diverge. Before then, I want a full day with you—one day and night—when I am not the Prince of the Iron Mountains, and you are not the lost girl from Mist Island.”

Jin’s eyes blaze with anger. Before he can speak, I touch his shoulder in warning—my mind swinging from rage to shock to dread. A memory surfaces, of the prince’s touch edged with possession and danger, of us alone when I tried to steal his royal seal.

If the price of winning is too high, we’ve already lost.

I look the prince in the eye. “I am not for sale. If you won’t help us, we’ll find someone who will.”

“You misunderstand my intent,” Prince Zixin says coolly. “I’m not attempting to buy you; there is nothing vile or sordid in my intentions. Your company is all I ask. Spend the day with me. We won’t do anything you don’t want to.”

“Why?” I ask.

His expression shifts, almost contemplative. “When I was wasting away in captivity, my memories were all I had. I realized then how few I truly enjoyed looking back on—those that did not cause me pain. In the palace, life moved too quickly, every moment filled with court duties, entertainment, banquets. There was seldom a true connection with another, even those closest to me remained behind a barrier. Nor did I ever invite their thoughts or learn what was important to them, assuming they only cared for my favor. Rarely did I open myself up, just to my sister… and to you.”

Pity flickers in my chest. Jin was born in privilege too, his childhood cut short by tragedy—but he has friends, loyal attendants, and soldiers who would risk themselves for him. He gives of himself readily… while the Prince of the Iron Mountains only knows how to take. Once his throne and power were stripped away, what does he have left to offer?

“No,” Jin says adamantly. “Do not agree.”

But I’m already bracing to ask the prince, “Is this all?”

“A final farewell,” he says gravely. “If I betray you, our deal is void. You won’t have to give me the antidote.”

“Don’t trust him, Yining.” Jin’s hands are clenched. “We will find another way.”

“I don’t trust him,” I reply quietly, “but I ask you to trust me.”

“How much time do you have?” Prince Zixin asks with cunning. “Can you afford to wait?”