Page 38 of Never Ever After

Fighting my fear, I rise to my feet unsteadily. “It was an accident, Your Highness.”

Princess Chunlei shoots me a warning look. “Brother, such punishment is too harsh.”

A few ministers nod, but this only seems to stir Prince Zixin’s annoyance, his brows snapped together.

Chief Attendant Mai bows to the prince. “Your Highness, there are no exceptions. Your honored father decreed that nothing is accidental when it comes to the safety of our monarch. These are the rules of court.”

As two soldiers seize the serving girl, her frantic gaze meets mine. Sweat slides down her face as a keen cry slips from her throat—the shrill, sharp sound of terror. They drag her away, her body going limp.

Minister Luk shakes his head, the expressions of some courtiers ranging from revulsion to fear. My eyes are damp, but I force myself to sit back down. This is a terrifying reminder of how powerless I am here, a vicious lesson to not overstep—and for the first time since entering the palace, I pity the people within.

Lord Chao sneers as he raises a cup to his mouth. “The justice of the Iron Mountains takes away my appetite.”

“Surprising, when few things seem to,” Prince Zixin snaps. “What of the reputation of Thorn Valley? Brutally murdering innocents, slinging their bodies over our border.”

As I flinch from these accusations, Lord Chao stands abruptly. “We don’t hurt the helpless or innocent. Those who trespass into our land know exactly what they’re doing. Perhaps Your Highness is mourning the loss of your spies.” This is another side to the boorish one he shows, tension spearing the air.

As Jin lays a hand on Lord Chao’s shoulder, the Lord of Thorn Valley takes his seat again.

“Your Highness, the Iron Mountains is our valued ally. We never intend to harm your people,” Jin says calmly, addressing the prince. “But those who break our rules must be punished, just as you punish those who break yours.” Jin’s gaze slides to the porcelain shards on the floor. “If they choose to trespass where they’re forbidden, after they’ve been warned—consequences must be borne.”

They glare at each other, eyes of ebony and those of gold. The court stills at the animosity unleashed between the Iron Mountains and Thorn Valley, one that used to be tethered beneath a veneer of amicability. Fickle. Fragile. False? Should it break, war will erupt.

At last, a frigid smile stretches across Prince Zixin’s face. “We agree with our allies that rules must be obeyed, else chaos will ensue.”

Relief sweeps through the guests. Disaster has been averted; they are safe for now… except the serving girl’s cries still ring in my ears.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

S leep evades me as I toss in bed. The prince possesses a brutal side. Selfish, to ignore the pleas of the people who can’t afford his taxes. Cruel, to sentence the girl to be whipped for such a minor offense. Merciless, to execute the families of his attackers.

I’m struggling to reconcile the gracious and generous prince with the authoritative and pitiless ruler. Maybe they are two sides of the same coin, one part necessary to rule a kingdom and wield power… though which is his true face?

I can’t trust him now. What will happen to me should I one day lose his favor? I must find a way out—whether to steal my ring back or through Jin’s help. Rising from bed, I pull on a dress, a gray one that will meld into the shadows. My hair falls loose down my back as I leave my room, my soft tread concealing my presence. The guards are slumped by the courtyard entrance, at ease at this late hour. I catch the end of their conversation, spoken so quietly I might have missed it if I weren’t just behind them.

“His Highness’s temper is short of late,” the woman is saying. “Worse even than his father’s.”

“These bouts of illness have strained him,” the male soldier responds.

“Where did they take the girl?” she asks.

“The Shadow Wing.”

My heart beats quicker; this is the place Jin seeks. As I step forward, the soldiers straighten: a tall, freckled woman and a broad-faced man with a dimpled chin.

“Do you need help, Miss Yining?” he asks.

“The girl who spilled tea on Prince Zixin—do you know where she is?” I feign ignorance to learn more, even as her terror-stricken face flashes through my mind. While I do want to find her, she’s also a vital cover.

“Why?”

“I have some medicine that may be of use—”

“She has all she needs.” The woman brushes me off. “If you wish to send her anything, we can get it to her.”

“I would like to see her,” I persist. “His Highness gave me permission to explore the palace; he will be displeased should he learn I was stopped.” My firm tone mimics how some of the nobles speak to their attendants. As the guards exchange worried looks, I add, “But I see no reason to mention this to him.”

“Thank you, Miss Yining,” the woman says with a bow. “We cannot tell you where the girl is, but would be happy to accompany you anywhere else you wish.”