Page 50 of For Ever More
We are different, she and I. Dian’s mind slants toward protecting those she cares for, while my instincts lean toward protecting myself—at least, they used to. Now I’m learning to think of others too… now I have more to lose.
Prince Zixin is striding toward us. “I want to speak to you,” he tells me.
Dian straightens, almost as tall as him. “And I want you dead.”
His brows knit together. A hard lesson that the world no longer spins to his rhythm. “I should have left you in my prison.”
“Then you would definitely be dead,” I point out. “Because I’d never have saved you.”
“Will you speak with me, or are you afraid?” he says, attempting to goad me into compliance.
Ahead, Shenming instructs the troops who will remain with the wounded, awaiting reinforcements to bring them home. Dian’s gaze shifts to them, her hand tightening around the crate of flowers. “Give it to them, I’ll be fine,” I assure her.
She glares at the prince before leaving, though he’s staring at me. “What do you want to say to me?” I ask.
“It’s about the Lady of the Pearl Ocean…” His voice trails off.
“Your intended?” I ask helpfully.
Color floods his face; it makes him look less like the prince I feared, then hated. “What do you think about it?”
“This is your affair. Not mine.”
“Your opinion matters,” he says with unexpected intensity. “I must marry the Lady of the Pearl Ocean. For myself and my kingdom.”
How swiftly his intentions follow the tides of change—a necessary skill to stay afloat at court, to avoid drowning. Yet I don’t wish him ill, smothering a remnant of past emotion. While the prince doesn’t deserve what he seeks, he wasn’t always selfish and cruel. Once, he was kind, to my mother and me when we were prisoners in the Palace of Nine Hills—and he was punished for it. Now everything is a trade, everyone has a price. He wanted me once for the power he believed I possessed. And now, he wants the Lady of the Pearl Ocean for her army.
Emboldened by my silence, he steps closer. “Are you upset?”
“No.” I look up at him. “I wish you success.”
He draws back, affronted. “You are not disappointed? We would be married if not—”
“That was your choice, not mine,” I tell him bluntly. “I never intended to marry you; I always planned to escape.”
“I know.” His eyes are ink dark. “I was certain you would fail, that my will would prevail. That given time, a real bond would form between us.”
“Or I’d slide a knife into your heart,” I snarl.
His mouth curves into a mirthless smile. “Better a knife from you than another.”
As Dian swings around to watch us, Prince Zixin nods toward her. “How is the Sun Dragon she guards? Though our connection was severed, I sense his frailty—it concerns me too. The dragon was my friend.”
“Then you treat your friends as badly as your enemies.”
“All must be treated with caution. A friend today can be an enemy tomorrow,” he says bitterly. “Neither love nor affection can be allowed to become a weakness.”
“Then what you feel isn’t love, Your Highness. And I feel sorry for anyone who loves you.”
“I’ve heard much interesting gossip along our journey,” the prince remarks. “Are you with the Lord of Thorn Valley or the captain the soldiers claim an imminent betrothal with?” His tone pulses with anger. Even resentment.
“You have no right to ask,” I reply. “Devote your attention to the Lady of the Pearl Ocean.”
Prince Zixin’s eyes thin like he cannot fathom my indifference. When I turn from him, he doesn’t stop me. As I return to my horse, Jin comes to help me upon it, lifting me by my waist with ease.
“I saw you speaking with the Prince of the Iron Mountains.” His tone is cool as he releases me, swinging onto his own horse. “Was it an engaging conversation?”
I smile brightly at him as we ride, Jin keeping close to my side. “Why don’t you ask me what you really want to know?” I say, repeating his earlier question.
