Page 90 of Immortal

Silence trailed Lord Dalian’s entrance, all bowing as he stalked onto the dais, then sat on the throne. His turquoise robe was a flash of brightness amid the somber garb of his court. I wondered why the other Wuxin wore such dull colors. Was it their choice or because their lord preferred to be the center of attention—a peacock among the sparrows?

“Long live Lord Dalian, the Eternal Ruler over the Netherworld,” they intoned.

I dropped my head but did not bow like the others. As Aunt Shou beamed at him, I bit down on my tongue. Didn’t she care what he’d done? Chengyin loved her, and she must have cared for him too—though what did it matter when she refused to help him now?

As Lord Dalian leaned against his throne, I tensed beneath his scrutiny. “I see you’ve become reacquainted with my mother?” he remarked.

“An unexpected surprise.” I managed to say, though I hated seeing him in my friend’s body, the way he made Chengyin seem terrifying and vicious.

“Do you know how your betrothed was snared by me?” His smile was coated with malice. He wanted to see me hurt; he wanted to break me.

“I heard it’s not easy.” Let him talk, let him teach me what I needed to know to fight him.

He sneered as he nodded at Aunt Shou. “It was a fine act, Mother, when you pleaded for him to help you. You acted so convincingly, he didn’t hesitate, believing you were in danger.”

Aunt Shou went pale, her lips pursed into a knot. I hoped Chengyin couldn’t hear this, trapped in his own body. Lord Dalian seemed to relish tormenting not just me, but his mother too.

“Better this than Chengyin’s death, if he didn’t surrender,” Aunt Shou said in a low voice.

“Did you know he would sacrifice himself willingly?” Lord Dalian needled. “Is my ‘brother’ such a paragon of virtue?”

Aunt Shou lifted her head. “He is a good person. Goodness should not be scorned; there’s far too little of it in the world.”

“Enough, Mother,” Lord Dalian drawled, though his eyes glinted dangerously. “I know I’m your greatest disappointment. I know how you prefer all my siblings to me—even the dead.”

“Don’t say such things.” Aunt Shou pressed a fist to her forehead. “Damei’s death was a great loss for us.”

“We all know how you mourned for her, Mother—your precious heir. You even relinquished your throne because of your grief,” he said with an edge to his voice.

“Not just my heir; she was your sister,” Aunt Shou hissed.

“It’s why you hated the immortals, willing to do whatever it took to seek vengeance.” He jerked his head at me. “Even living with the mortals.”

I ignored his intended slight. “Why did the immortals kill your daughter?” I asked Aunt Shou, seeking a weakness to exploit.

She didn’t answer right away, blinking like there was a haze over her eyes. “Before, we didn’t hurt anyone, we took what no one noticed. But after we protested Queen Caihong’s rule, her soldiers began attacking us, unprovoked. Damei was killed in one of the skirmishes.”

“They thought they could dominate us, to frighten us into submission. They were wrong; they made us stronger.” Lord Dalian raised his voice so all could hear him. “Power keeps us safe; it keeps us alive. Though we lost the war, we never forgot the lesson. This time, victory will be ours.”

Aunt Shou nodded woodenly. “We must talk, my son. I’ve been away too long in the Mortal Realm. What are these barriers erected along the Wangchuan River? Has the situation worsened?”

“The barriers are to protect the river, so no one can harm it or steal from it. It became necessary as there was discontent before, from those who didn’t understand why the restrictions were in place.” Lord Dalian nodded at Captain Rao, who approached Aunt Shou and held out a bell on a tray. It was just like those the Wuxin wore, except this one was crafted in gold—almost the twin to the one on Lord Dalian’s waist, though his was a darker metal.

“Take it, Mother,” he urged when she remained still. “You won’t be bound to the same restrictions as the others.”

She frowned as she looked from the bell, to him. “This is not the way, my son.”

“Are you questioning me, Mother?” Lord Dalian’s tone grew harsher. “I don’t need your approval; I rule our people now.”

“I only want what’s best for you and our people,” she argued calmly. “A good ruler thinks of all his people, not just those who are closest.”

“Save your sanctimonious lectures for the mortals like her.” As he glanced at me, I itched to slap him for his disrespect to his mother—even though I should despise her.

Captain Rao bowed to Aunt Shou, pushing the tray a little closer. “Great Lady, the Wangchuan River weakened in potency shortly after you left to the Mortal Realm. It was unable to sustain us as before. Lord Dalian erected the barriers around its banks to help preserve it, restricting its use to ensure there was enough for everyone.”

The bell the captain wore was of shining gold, unlike the bronze ones worn by Miss Lin and the others. It seemed unlikely that he suffered any of the restrictions he spoke so glibly of.

“Is this true, Dalian?” Aunt Shou asked.