Page 9 of Immortal

“He was not careless.” I didn’t dare say more, though it was a relief he hadn’t disregarded my grandfather’s claim. “If I don’t know my duties, it’s because Grandfather didn’t have a chance to teach them to me.”

“You are an adult. You should have learned your responsibilities by now.”

How dare he lecture me? I wanted to strike this unfeeling immortal. But I was no longer a child—I was the Lady of Tianxia. I no longer acted for myself alone. Inhaling deeply to suppress my anger, I looked away, letting the god think I’d been rebuked.

“Did you know your grandfather was ill?” he asked.

“Yes. But he was still strong. He should not have died tonight.” My chest ached. “You are fortunate that your people know little of such loss.”

His jaw tightened. “We know more than you think.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “Enlighten me.”

“No,” he said. “Not when your mind is set against us, your judgment clouded by prejudice, your heart shadowed with sorrow.”

I didn’t push further. I was tired, hollowed through after tonight. “Then let me go home, if you’ve stopped destroying it.” There was no longer a reason to hide here. It was clear he could not sense the lotus; I’d already be in chains if he did.

He shook his head. “You should return with me. Every ruler of Tianxia must swear their loyalty to our queen before taking the throne. You may have the title, but only after your pledge to Her Majesty will you receive her mandate to rule.”

I recoiled, unable to help myself, but concealed it by smoothing down my bloodstained robe. “I’m not ready. This isn’t a fitting way to introduce myself to the queen.”

When I visited the Queen of the Golden Desert, it would be on my own terms. A chance to visit the realm of immortals was a rare opportunity. Grandfather’s last wish was engraved in my heart, my resolve hardening with each moment. Our people should not be bound to the skies when our lives were here. I needed to find a way to set us free, or persuade the queen to do so.

“Will you disobey Her Majesty’s command?”

“I’m only asking for time to make myself presentable, to set my affairs in order after the turmoil of tonight,” I protested, refusing to let myself be daunted by him.

His gaze was penetrating. “Until you receive our queen’s mandate to be acknowledged as Tianxia’s lawful ruler, your position is vulnerable.”

It already was, but not for the reasons he thought. Someone had poisoned me—but if I mentioned this, he might insist that I follow him at once.

“There is another reason,” I told him heavily. “I must bury my grandfather . . . prepare the funeral and rites he deserves. You may not understand this, but it’s important to me. My last chance to bid him farewell.”

Silence fell over us. “I understand saying goodbye, perhaps more than you know,” he said at last, his tone unreadable. Then he added abruptly, “One month.”

More than I expected, but I’d learned to never take a first offer. As I opened my mouth to bargain for more, he raised his hand. “I won’t allow more. During this time, your palace will be placed under my protection, and you must not leave its grounds. This is for your own safety.”

As I nodded stiffly, he continued, “In four weeks, an escort will be sent to bring you to the Immortal Realm. Any absence will be considered a grave insult to our queen. If you hide, I will find you. Run, and I will catch you.”

A sliver of fear pierced me. He’d said I don’t know him, I reminded myself. Nor does he know me. I won’t bow before them; I won’t accept the fate they’ve charted for us.

“You have my word that I will be there,” I told him.

The God of War held his hand out to me. A slender sword lay across his palm, its scabbard carved of black jade, wrapped in silver filigree.

My pulse quickened. “An immortal weapon?”

He glanced at the dagger tucked into my sash. “It will be of more use than that fruit slicer you carry.”

His disdain for my grandfather’s gift angered me. “I stabbed a Winged Devil with this.” I tilted my head up to him, wishing he weren’t so damned tall. “Maybe you’d like to be next,” I said lightly, though I meant each word.

“I think I might.” His tone matched mine, then hardened once more. “You were reckless to challenge one of those creatures. Don’t you know how easily your life could be snuffed out?”

“Fortunately, I’m alive.” I was lucky that he’d come, but I would never admit it. “Why are you giving this to me?” I wanted the sword, yet was afraid of the unseen cost.

“It’s rare for the Winged Devils to attack here. You need to be able to defend yourself.”

He assumed that I could fight, as most of my people could. I didn’t correct him. But while I lacked training, I had always tried to learn what I could, even from watching the others.