Jade Fire Gold(104)

“Did you ever love her?” I choke out. Even now, I hear the faint glimmer of hope in my own voice. Even now, my heart wants to forgive him for his choices.

“Yes.” It’s the barest whisper. But it murders any feeling I could have for this man.

A gong sounds.

“It is time. Chin up, daughter. This is the destiny the gods have chosen for you.”

“I am not your daughter!”

My head flings back from the force of my father’s hand, and I taste blood in my mouth.

“You will raise the army.”

“Never,” I spit.

“I see you need a better incentive.” He gestures at a priest. “Bring her out.”

Something in me breaks when I see Ama. They have her shackled and on her knees. Her white hair is unkempt, her robes torn. A priest holds a flame near her. Ama flinches but she catches my eye and nods at me calmly. Even in death’s shadow, she chooses to reassure me.

My father hands me the dark sword.

“Raise the army.”





51


Altan


“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but the premier gave strict orders that Lady Ahn is not to be disturbed,” stammers the attendant outside Ahn’s chambers.

Tai Shun glares. “Am I not your emperor?”

The girl squeals and throws the door open. I barge in, yelling Ahn’s name. The room is empty.

“Where is she?” I shout.

“I don’t know,” says the attendant, flailing. “I thought she was in there. I was told to come stand outside. I—I know nothing.” The girl flings herself to the ground in front of Tai Shun. “Please, Your Highness, I was only following orders. I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

“Get out.” She scurries away at his order. “What do we do now?” he says, turning to me.

Think, Altan. Think. It feels like all sense and logic have left me. My mind is blank, panic clawing at my chest. All I can think about is Ahn.

“My mother might know something.” Tai Shun unsheathes one of my sabers before I can stop him and sticks it in my bandaged hand. “Take me hostage.”

“What?”

“Just do it, Jin. Bring me to my mother.”

His plan clicks in my head. “Don’t regret this,” I say, twisting his arm behind him. I put him in a headlock, my blade against his neck.

“You were always a good actor. Make it convincing.” He nudges me with his elbow. “Come on, let’s go.”

We make it as far as the entrance to the empress’s expansive quarters before we are surrounded by Imperial guards. Zhenxi comes running out, attendants trailing her.

She stops a few paces in front of us, a look of utter loathing directed at me. “How did you escape? Get your filthy hands off my son.”

Tai Shun whimpers softly.

“Shun-er,” says Zhenxi, her panic becoming obvious. “Are you hurt?”

“He’s fine.” I push the blade harder against Tai Shun’s neck, angling it so that it won’t draw blood. He whimpers again. “For now.”

Zhenxi struggles to maintain her composure. But if there is one thing I know for certain, it is that her son is her world.

“Tell your guards to leave. I want to have a private conversation.”

She narrows her eyes. I shift my grip and Tai Shun hisses as if he is in pain.

She waves a hand immediately. “Leave us.”

“But Your Majesty—” one guard hedges.

“I said, leave us!” she bellows.

The guards and attendants file out, some sneaking more than a curious glance at me. I know they will be somewhere around the compound, arrows positioned to take me out at any time. But it is a risk I must take.

I gesture toward Zhenxi’s private parlor. She backs into it, eyes never leaving my blade. Tai Shun and I move as one and, finally, the three of us are alone.

“Sit,” I say to my aunt.

She makes an undignified sound and plants herself down. “I have done what you want, now let my son go.”

“I haven’t told you what I want,” I say with a smirk.

“Insolent boy—”

“Maybe you should keep the insults to yourself, seeing that I have your son hostage.”

Zhenxi glares. “When this is over, I’ll have your head on a platter.”

Tai Shun fakes a sob as I pull my arm around his throat back—just a tad. “Mother.”

Her lips tremble and I see a shimmer of tears. Splendid.

“First,” I say, “tell me where you’re hiding Ahn.”

Zhenxi blinks hard. “I don’t have her. She was in her bedroom the last we spoke. I don’t know where—”

“Stop lying.”

“I am not,” Zhenxi protests. “I . . . I did drug her, but I left her there in bed about two hours ago. I swear.”

“I said, stop lying. Where is she?”

“I think she’s telling the truth,” Tai Shun interjects.

Zhenxi’s eyes flash at his tone, scrutinizing her son. I groan to myself. He was never a good actor.

“Shun-er, what is going on?” she says sharply.

I knee Tai Shun in the thigh. “She knows, you fool.”