Page 12 of For Ever More

“‘Honored Captain’?” He wrinkles his nose. “If Dian heard you calling me that, we’d never live that down. Call me Shenming as your family does.” He hands me a bulging paper bag, warm in my hands. “Steamed pork buns from the market. I thought Dian would have missed them.” His jaw tenses. “I usually share the morning meal with your family, but maybe with your return—”

“Come in, Shenming. You’re always welcome.” My father walks toward me. “As his parents are often away for work, it’s become our tradition to eat breakfast together. Shenming is like part of our family.”

“Should I call you ‘Elder Brother,’ then?” I ask him.

He blinks, then grins. “It would be fitting. I was almost your brother-in-law.”

“You don’t seem my sister’s type.”

“He’s not,” Dian interjects as she descends the stairs. “No offense, Shenming. I’m not your type either.”

“I didn’t object to our planned betrothal,” he says lightly.

“You were too polite to call it off—or afraid of your parents. I did us both a favor.”

“You were actually betrothed?” My voice rises in disbelief.

“Our mothers were close friends. As expected, the Elders proposed a union between our families.” She says it so casually, like it’s a fact.

“Are arranged marriages common here?” I ask.

“There are interfering parents in every kingdom. Yet none are truly forced into unions. For prominent families, the Elders often make suggestions weighing our island’s best interests.” Dian takes a bun and pulls it apart, steam rising from the bread. “With your return and given Father’s position, the attention will undoubtedly shift to you.”

I look at the ocean through the window, repressing a sudden urge to flee back across it. “I will decide such matters on my own,” I say to my father.

“Of course,” he replies. “But if the Elders ask—”

“Then I hope you will tell them what I told you.” My tone is respectful, yet I hold his gaze until he nods.

“I should tell my parents the same,” Shenming says, breaking the tension. “After Dian’s rejection, my parents’ current obsession is marrying me off to any eligible woman. It is all they speak of during their brief visits home.”

Dian taps my arm, a speculative glint in her eye. “Shenming is much favored by the Elders, one of the most capable among his peers. You should get to know him—”

Shenming coughs. “Dian, are you unwell?”

“What is wrong with telling my sister about you?” she retorts. “Yining doesn’t know many people here—why don’t you be friends? She looks nice enough, has a sharp mind, and is good company unless crossed.”

Dian rattles off my qualities like a pig merchant trying to unload a mediocre beast on a reluctant customer. “You’re crossing me now, Sister,” I reply tersely.

She shrugs unrepentantly. “I assure you, Shenming is far better than the company you’ve kept before.” The Prince of the Iron Mountains, her pinched mouth seems to utter. The Lord of Thorn Valley.

A flush creeps over my face. I’ve tried not to think of either, but my unease at having to kiss Prince Zixin floods back, that I didn’t hate it as I should—along with my anger at Jin for the promise he forced from me, tangled with how I still want to see him.

“Who do you mean?” Shenming asks Dian.

“I was only teasing my sister,” she replies with a knifelike smile. “We recently traveled with the Thorn Valley soldiers who helped us escape.”

It strikes me then, the captain would possess much useful information. “Do you travel to Thorn Valley often, Shenming?”

“My duties are here, but some of our soldiers and messengers occasionally visit.”

“Who would want to go there?” my father rasps, almost angrily. “Thorn Valley has always been envious of us. They claim to be suffering, accusing us of withholding support—when it was them who abandoned their duty first.”

In the quiet, I clear my throat. “Is Thorn Valley suffering?”

“We have no evidence of it,” Shenming replies.

“Maybe someone should venture there to inspect—”