Page 112 of For Ever More

As a gust of wind churns, I instinctively catch myself, the fear of falling not entirely banished. Yet this magic has become easy for me to wield, almost effortless after my struggles with the Sun Dragon’s power. It’s gone from me now, all used to destroy the starfire. I almost miss it, how it rushed into my grasp, the strength it yielded—yet it was never truly mine.

Ahead, a tall figure stands at the pier of Thorn Valley, his hair ruffled by the wind. My heart leaps as he looks back at me, his gaze piercing the distance. This is the first time I’m seeing Jin since our return from the Iron Mountains. I straighten my green dress embroidered with magnolias, a red sash fluttering from my waist. My hair is down the way he likes, flowing across my shoulders.

I love that he comes to meet me alone, not sending an attendant or guard in his stead, just as he used to row me those nights I came to him in secret. Maybe it was astute planning on his part, to bind us closer during the little time we had.

When I told him all of the Little Dragon’s revelations as we rode back from the Iron Mountains, he showed little surprise and much anger. “We suspected the Elders killed the trees in our grove long ago, but we never imagined how.”

“Why didn’t you share these suspicions with me?” I asked then.

“Without proof, it would have pushed us apart. Such accusations would only strengthen the Elders’ argument of our jealousy; you might have thought I was seeding discontent.” He caught my hands. “I would have told you eventually, after earning your trust. With you, I’ve learned to be patient.”

No longer do I need to hide when coming to Thorn Valley. The animosity between our kingdoms has thawed, more traveling freely across the water whether by boat or lotus. Repairs are also underway to restore the bridge that once connected Thorn Valley and Mist Island, though that will take time… along with healing the mistrust and division among our people. Yet it’s a start.

After returning home, I lost no time in revealing Lord Hairong’s betrayal. Despite the disbelief, my father and Dian stood by me, the protests of the remaining Elders and their supporters silenced by the words of the Moon Dragon. The new King of the Iron Mountains also spread swift news of his ascension across the realms, detailing Lord Hairong’s treachery and my role in destroying the starfire—a gift that helped convince my people, given all that is left of the Elder is a mound of ash.

Harder for my people to accept was the truth of the dragons’ past, how they came to Mist Island after the deliberate ruin of Thorn Valley, and how the Elders buried their vile secret by deepening the rift between our kingdoms, forbidding my people from speaking to the dragons.

Lord Zhu and Lady Shila were unceremoniously removed from their positions and are awaiting punishment. While ignorant of Lord Hairong’s plot to surrender the starfire to Queen Chunlei, they have lost our people’s trust. For now, Mist Island is led by the council that used to advise the Elders, though there is talk of electing new leaders too. Change is on the horizon after years of festering prejudice, of hiding from the world.

Peace lies within grasp, a lasting one—and not just for the Land Beyond. A treaty is being negotiated with the Three Kingdoms, led by the Iron Mountains and Thorn Valley. Jin’s spies report that the king has been rebuilding relations with the Amber Forest and Pearl Ocean, and channeling funds into his own people’s welfare. King Zixin has kept his word to me.

Yet gestures of reconciliation don’t mean the past is erased. I will never forget the suffering the Iron Mountains wreaked upon my family. There is a long way to go: reparations to be made, restraints set in place to ensure the tragedies of the past don’t repeat themselves. But I don’t want to feed the vicious cycle of vengeance, and I sense Mother would not have wanted this either. She gave her life for mine, to keep me safe—to offer me a better future, not one mired in hate. Moreover, those who hurt her are suffering or dead.

When one has fewer enemies, the need for magic diminishes. The wards and enchantments to hide our island have been dismantled: not just the seagrass, but the mist itself, and the roots of our rings once used to conceal the path home. My people are trying to conserve our magic to lighten the Moon Dragon’s burden, finding ways to do without. Boats are being built for travel, following Ruilin’s suggestion—while Father has opened the treasury of rare seedlings and plants to the people, allowing them to cultivate what they need. Some of these were also traded with Thorn Valley for the purchase of horses, those that can be used to draw carriages. Our artisans no longer focus on the creation of beauty alone, but are expanding to preservation, to repair what is broken rather than discarding it for the new.

We still wear our rings, we must. Some claim when they use their magic less, its hold over us loosens, and they are able to remove the rings for longer stretches of time. Perhaps one day, we will be freed of them. And the tethers that bind the Moon Dragon to our island will be severed—allowing her the choice to go wherever her heart desires rather than staying for our protection.

Gone are the rules the Elders used to keep us trapped. They governed through mistrust, keeping us obedient by stoking fears of the enemies beyond, cleaving us from the outside world. The monsters in our minds are sometimes worse than those of the flesh. If I’d grown up here, I might have believed unflinchingly in the Elders’ wisdom and rightness, never dreaming of defying them. I wonder too, if my sister never came to find me, would I have ever found my way home?

I don’t know the answer, I’m glad I never will. But today is not for dwelling in the past, it’s another step into the future.

As the lotus drifts to the pier, Jin extends his hand to help me up. “You’ve learned how to summon them,” he observes with a smile.

“My sister is a relentless teacher. And this was one skill I was intent on mastering—at least until the bridge is restored.”

When Jin draws me closer, I don’t pull away. I’ll never take this for granted again after enduring the coldness of his indifference, the despair of being forgotten.

“If you can summon the lotuses, you no longer have an excuse to stay away.”

It’s been weeks since I could visit here, also needing to straighten out the chaos left in the wake of my departure. “You could have come to see me,” I remind him.

His eyebrows arch. “We only travel to your island when we’re invited. Now that I’ve received your invitation, you cannot rescind it,” he warns, leading me to a pair of waiting horses, helping me upon one.

“How is your uncle?” I ask, taking the reins.

“He’s taken to pestering me to bring you back, not just because of the help you gave us. While I was away, something changed.” His gaze darkens—he doesn’t like recalling those days when he forgot me. “Whatever you said to Uncle altered his perception of you.”

I scowl at him. “Is that why you asked me here? Because your uncle wished to see me?”

“He can wait,” Jin says with a grin.

We ride in silence for a while. “And how is the Ancient Grove?” I want to know.

“Much improved. The decay in Thorn Valley is also almost gone, after the wintergrass was cleared away. The hostile thorns have withered, most of the creatures recovered from the corruption.” He pauses, looking at me. “All thanks to you.”

Warmth blossoms in my heart. “How will you repay me, Lord Jin-Yong?” I say teasingly.

“You asked nothing from the King of the Iron Mountains,” he says pointedly, his gaze flicking to my hand then away. Was he looking for the ring I was given? Is he jealous?