Page 78 of Immortal

“The Tree of Everlasting Life,” the Ancient Grandmaster said solemnly. “It sprouted with the first breath of life in the realms and will remain until the last.”

As I stared at it, unsure whether to bow, the flowers of the tree quivered, startlingly bright, like the stars themselves had gathered in its branches.

Come closer, mortal. Step into my shade.

I started looking around. Where had that voice come from?

Mortal, do not doubt the truth before you. The voice sounded amused. A tree is a living thing. Why shouldn’t we speak?

I stepped forward until the shadow of the branches wove across my face like a spider web. Its aura felt familiar, an echo of the Ancient Grandmaster’s. Had the spirits of the boy and tree entwined into one?

Press your hand to my bark.

I followed its command without hesitation this time. The wood was smooth to my touch, a current surging into my fingers, the smell of cloves thickening. Something clinked above. I glanced up to find a single dewdrop glistening like ice—falling from the branch to land upon my brow. A current jolted me, searing deep, rippling across my body like a warm embrace. Peace stole over me, of the priceless kind.

“A blessing from the Tree of Everlasting Life,” the Ancient Grandmaster said gravely. “One of protection, to seal your spirit from harm.”

What did this mean? There was so much I wanted to ask, but my mind was growing sluggish. My eyes closed, a deep exhaustion stealing over me as I fell to the ground, wrapped in the unrelenting embrace of slumber.

28

Sunlight glided across my eyelids, stirring me. How long had I slept? A blurred silhouette appeared, gradually splitting into two. The Ancient Grandmaster . . . and Zhangwei. Relief surged at the sight of him—here, unharmed. My palms pressed the soft grass to push myself up, as I cleared my throat to call out to him—

“I am in your debt.” Zhangwei’s words startled me as he bowed to the Ancient Grandmaster. “Thank you.”

Instinctively, I stilled, pressing my eyes shut.

“Lord Zhangwei, there is no debt. I did not do this for you or Her Majesty; I did it for her.” The Ancient Grandmaster’s tone was formal.

“Does she know?” Zhangwei asked, his voice tense.

“She knows of the tree’s blessing,” the Ancient Grandmaster replied.

“Can she stay here, where it’s safe?” he asked. “I have to break the enchantment over the skies; I must return to get aid.”

“Both of you can remain here one night, but no more,” the Ancient Grandmaster said sternly. “The Wuxin are searching Kunlun. I won’t risk them being drawn here to find the Tree of Everlasting Life.”

Zhangwei sighed. “I understand. Nevertheless, I am grateful. What was done—it was what I hoped for.”

Something jarred, my gut twisting. It was becoming harder to feign sleep when I wanted to shake Zhangwei, to demand the truth. He had told me we’d be safe here, that the Ancient Grandmaster could help us send word to Queen Caihong. Were we here for another reason—one he’d chosen to keep from me? His secrets teetered on the brink of lies.

I kept my breathing steady, my eyes closed to maintain the pretense. It grated, hearing them speak of me this way, but I needed to learn more.

A brief pause. “Ancient Grandmaster, could you remove it?” Zhangwei asked. “It isn’t part of her.”

My heart plunged, my mind clouding with suspicion. Zhangwei meant the Divine Pearl Lotus—what else could it be? Was this another scheme to seize it? Part of me flinched from this thought. After everything we’d been through, he couldn’t be this devious, nor was I so stupid as to be tricked by more lies. I should believe better of us both. But what if he no longer trusted that I’d keep my word? After all, he’d asked me twice to give him the lotus, and I’d refused.

“That is her decision.” The Ancient Grandmaster spoke before my patience snapped, before I could demand an answer. “Neither you nor I, nor anyone in the realms, can decide this for her.”

“It is what’s best for her,” Zhangwei said fiercely. “If there’s a price, I will pay it.”

An eerie whistling glided through the clearing, the air seeming to constrict as I found myself holding my breath.

“My honor has no price.”

A stern rebuke from the Ancient Grandmaster, a taut silence settling between him and the God of War.

Some of my tension uncoiled, even as my mind worked frantically. What was Zhangwei planning? He claimed to be an ally, yet had not shared this part of his scheme. How dare he decide what was “best” for me? How dare he keep me in the dark, a pawn to his whim?