Page 76 of For Ever More

“You proved your loyalty, not mine. Nor did you ask whether I wished to return to the Iron Mountains as my sister’s obedient subject. You are forcing my hand, dictating my future.”

She raises her chin. “I know you hoped to use my army to seize back your throne. But I will not rashly endanger my people. This will protect you from the queen. You will be an integral part of the alliance between our kingdoms.”

As I edge toward Jin and my sister, General Suilan’s gaze slides back to us, the archers training their arrows in our direction once more. Yet several soldiers break away, heading toward what remains of the waterfall, combing the grounds as though searching for something.

“Why kill the Sun Dragon when she needs his blood to merge the rest of the starfire?” Prince Zixin asks.

“The dragon has served its purpose, she has taken what she needs,” Lady Shufang replies in a low voice. “For now, we must play the queen’s game—but trust me when I say I have a plan.”

“What do you mean?” he demands.

“There is something else that the queen seeks from the waterfall, only possible once it’s destroyed—something she desperately needs though she tried to hide it. She asked us to secure the grounds until her arrival… but this is an opportunity, Zixin. It’s why we delayed bringing her here. If we can seize this prize first, we can use it to strike a new deal with her.”

Prince Zixin’s eyes gleam as he observes the soldiers’ efforts. “There is only one thing in the realm that my sister desires, that she would raise her army for.”

Starfire.

A current races through me as I study the ruins of the waterfall. Jin is searching it too, our eyes riveted upon the same place at once: the rose in the lake. The one that also blooms in the Ancient Grove.

Another petal falls away from it, revealing a sliver of light nestled within. The last starfire—it’s here. The myth of the ancient dragons shattering the starfire must be true. Did they conceal the final piece here, never imagining the waterfall would be destroyed?

I nod at Jin, then look to Dian and Shenming—trying to draw their attention to the rose. We’ve lost the Sun Dragon, we cannot leave the starfire in the queen’s hands. We must act now, and escape before she arrives. Her power will be even stronger, while mine has weakened.

I grasp at the remnants of my magic. This time it flows into my hold almost passively, no longer fighting me, yet diminished. As flames surge from my hands—Jin shields us—waves of fire sweeping forth to drive a path through Lady Shufang’s soldiers.

The air quivers, something giving way like the snap of a cord. The rose’s last petal glides down, leaving a shining stone perched on the stalk.

“Starfire,” breathes the Prince of the Iron Mountains.

Vines slither forth, summoned by my sister, cleaving the starfire from the rose stalk—glittering as it hurtles through the air. As Lady Shufang’s soldiers swarm toward it, Jin leaps forward, catching the starfire and shoving it into his waistband. Arrows whistle, raining down upon him, but I release more fire, forcing the archers back.

Exhaustion hovers. As the soldiers stream forth to block our way, Shenming and Dian strike them with branches torn from the trees. But there are too many enemies, more rising than are struck down.

“Press onward!” General Suilan commands. “They are tiring!”

Prince Zixin stumbles abruptly, falling to the ground, his arms wrapped around himself like he’s in pain. At once, Lady Shufang flies to his side. “Zixin! What is wrong?”

His gaze slides to mine. “They made me take a poison. They forced me to help them, to bring them here in exchange for the antidote.”

Vile pretender. There should be no symptoms yet; Dian mentioned a fortnight for it to take effect. Is this vengeance, or is he trying to pave the way for reconciliation with his sister? I always knew the Prince of the Iron Mountains couldn’t be trusted, that he’d sell us out at the first chance.

“Poison?” The color drains from Lady Shufang’s face. “Is it fatal?”

“Without the antidote, I will die.” He closes his eyes as though suffering.

Is Prince Zixin… helping us? He could have waited till we were captured, forcing us to surrender the antidote then. After all, he’s skilled in the art of coercion. Does he want us to escape? Is he bitter enough to deny his sister the starfire? I’d believe the latter over the former. But to get away, I’ll play my role in this farce. Digging into my pouch, I seize the bundle of orange leaves. A soldier lunges to grab them, but Jin shoves him aside, my sister and Shenming flanking me.

I raise the leaves, flames curling from my other palm in an unmistakable threat. “This is the only antidote.”

“Stand back,” Lady Shufang orders her soldiers. “Give the antidote and the starfire to me, and none of you will be harmed.”

“Let us go and the antidote is yours,” I counter. “Before the queen arrives and the decision is taken from you.”

As Lady Shufang’s throat convulses, the piercing whistle of a bird rings out.

“The signal that Her Majesty’s boat has reached the shore,” General Suilan warns.

I clutch the antidote tighter, caging my terror. “Ask yourself what Queen Chunlei would choose between the starfire and her brother’s life.”