Jade Fire Gold(39)

I bite my lips to keep them from trembling. The empress’s eyes are kind, her smile understanding. She lifts a palm to my cheek and cups it gently.

“I have always wanted a daughter. But a son . . .” Her smile turns cynical, sad even. Her voice lowers. “A son means security. In life, we do what we must to survive—more, if we wish to thrive. I am sure you understand that.”

I don’t know what to say. It feels like she’s telling me a secret, even though I’m sure the two ladies-in-waiting near us can hear every word.

“Speaking of sons,” she goes on. “There will be a banquet after the funeral of our late Emperor. I did not see your name on the list, but I would like you to attend it. Tai Shun has taken his father’s passing extremely hard, and his mood has been dismal. Will you do me a favor and keep him company while you are there? I am sure he will find the banquet more tolerable if there is someone his age to talk to.”

“I—yes, Your Majesty. I will be there.” I’m not sure how I could help cheer the crown prince up. But I will have to try.

“Tell me, my dear, what are some of your favorite dishes? The ones your grandmother used to prepare for you—I can have them brought to your chambers for dinner later.”

My mouth hangs for a second before I compose myself. “That’s much too kind of you, Your Majesty. I—”

“Must accept my offer,” she finishes with another smile.

I nod shyly. “There is one dish: braised duck, with black peppercorns, star anise, and dark sauce.”

My mouth almost waters as I remember the first time Ama made that dish for me, back when she was still working and our village hadn’t been destroyed by the desert. The longing in my heart grows. You’ll see her soon, I remind myself. My father will keep his promise.

“Done.” The empress nods at one of her ladies-in-waiting and the woman leaves immediately for the kitchens. I bow to the empress, grateful that I’ve found another kind soul in this grand place.

I’m on a ship. The sea is a vast expanse of sparkling green tinged with blue. Shiny silver fish jump in and out of the water alongside the vessel like escorts. I blink, and everything turns dark.

Nightfall.

A shriek of metal and bone slices the air. The wail reverberates in my ears as the hull splits. I cry out as the ship plunges, dragging me down into the liquid abyss.

There’s another presence in the water. Large, looming—hurtling toward me.

“I have been waiting for you.”

“Who are you?” Bubbles come out of my mouth. They float up toward the light above. I shudder as the light fades and the chill of the water cuts through me.

I see a tail, scales, burning red eyes with bright yellow centers.

“Wh-what are you?”

“I am . . .”

The dream changes.

I’m a child at a shadow puppet show, sitting on the shoulders of my father. My faceless mother is beside us, laughing and clapping along to the music.

The melody is a funeral dirge, a mourning of souls.

“Do you see the puppets, Ahn-er?”

I nod.

My father turns to me.

And I start to scream.

I gasp awake. I throw off the blankets and sit up, brow wet with cold sweat. Faint moonlight seeps through a window left ajar. Strange. I thought Linxi shut all the windows before she left.

I get up and pull on an outer robe, rubbing my arms. My dream disturbs me. Something about it felt real. I want to ask my father more questions about my childhood and whether my parents had ever brought me to a puppet show. It’s late, but he might be awake since he often works into the night.

Remnants of my dream linger in my mind as I shuffle my way to his private study. A shiver runs down my spine and I pull my robe tight. The palace is too quiet and empty, but I’m sure some attendants or guards are stationed throughout the softly lit corridors.

There’s a light from my father’s study. He must be in there. Before I can approach, it snuffs out. I stay in the shadows, waiting. The door cracks open. Someone dressed in black slips out. I could recognize that build and gait anywhere, even in a crowd, even in darkness.

Leiye.

What’s he doing here in the middle of the night? Why is he behaving so furtively? I catch a flash of red in his hand before he tucks something into his robes. Did he steal something from my father?

I start to follow him but stop in mid-step. I’m not ready for a confrontation. Best to check first. I head into the study and light the lamp. Everything looks to be in place. What could he have taken?

Red.

I go to the glass cabinet where several manuscripts wrapped in red silk lie. After feeling around, I find a small lever and press it. Something clicks into place, and I slide the door open.

“One, two, three . . .” I continue to count under my breath. Five.

Six manuscripts were in here. Red ribbons and silks scatter on the floor as I unwrap everything. I exhale slowly. Leiye took the book that my father showed me—the one with the drawing of the twin swords and the map of the Emerald Sea.

I should tell my father about this. Since he’s not in here, he must be asleep in his bedroom. But what do I say? Maybe this is nothing. Maybe my father told Leiye to take the book. Maybe I’m letting my jealousy and wild imagination get the better of me.

Thinking, I lean against the cabinet. It tips under my weight and I almost fall. I clap a hand over my mouth to muffle my surprise as a panel of the wall starts to shift.