Jade Fire Gold(80)

“That boy could abdicate,” says Tang Wei in a matter-of-fact way.

“And who would reign?” My father? I shudder at the thought.

She doesn’t meet my eyes. “Someone worthier.”

“But does such a person exist? The true heir is dead, and the royal family line ends with Tai Shun. The Shi would never put someone without royal blood on the throne.”

She waves a dismissive hand and yawns. “We’ll worry about crossing that bridge when we come to it. You tired? I’m going back to sleep.”

I shake my head, still thinking about Tai Shun.

She yawns again. “When all this is over, I’m going to sleep for a thousand years—I’m so tired and the dark circles under my eyes are dreadful.”

“What are you talking about? You look wonderful.” I see no circles under Tang Wei’s eyes. Despite our travels, she looks as pretty and put together as the first time I saw her back in Shahmo.

She beams at me. “You’re sweet. Maybe he’ll stop being a fool for once.”

“Who?”

She makes a face. “Guess he’s not the only fool. Anyway, I’m taking a nap.” She lays down and promptly drops her straw hat over her face.

Moments later, I hear a gentle snore that makes me laugh. Tang Wei stirs and I clap my hand over my mouth and move away as silently as I can. I should get some sleep, but Altan’s absence makes me feel out of sorts. I’ve grown so used to him being around all the time that something feels missing. Probably best for me to turn my restless energy to something useful, like practicing my magic. I still haven’t felt that pull my father spoke about. The sword of light doesn’t speak to me. I don’t know if it means I won’t be able to find it, or if I just need to get closer to it to feel it.

Or if it’s because I haven’t been able to use my life-stealing magic. Maybe the block my mother put on me out of desperation is too strong, and it cannot undo itself.

I head toward the edge of the forest, following the gradually cooling air, sure that there’ll be a lake or body of water. Soon, the bamboo forest thins, and a stream appears.

There are fish in there.

No one’s around and we’re far enough from the nearest town. Feels safe to use my magic. Just for a while.

Breathing rhythmically, I focus on my qì, gathering a ball of energy at the pit of my stomach. I stretch out a hand toward the stream and flex my fingers.

A small spout of water rises, curving toward me. Slowly, I move it around, curling it into a sphere and back again. The water sparkles and shimmers prettily against the sunlight, and it makes me smile.

Something chitters behind me and I spin around in surprise, spraying water everywhere. A flurry of reddish-brown and white fur bounds away into the bamboo. A curious red bear-cat must’ve snuck up on me. I turn my attention back to the stream, wondering if I should leave or do what I came here to do.

Again, that feeling of nausea returns. I shove it down. The only way to fix everything is to find the White Jade Sword.

And the only way I can find it is to master my life-stealing magic.

Cowards don’t make their own destiny, I tell myself. No matter what my father says, I’m the one in control of my life.

I point my fingers at the small silvery fish darting this way and that. Do it, whispers that sly voice in my head.

I take a deep breath.

Something rustles. It must be the bear-cat again.

“Catching some lunch?”

I leap back in fright. Yet, I can’t deny the sense of relief I feel. Deep down inside, I know I don’t have it in me to kill those fish with my dark magic.

But that relief vanishes when I see who it is.

Leiye.

The uneasy feeling that comes with his presence curdles in my stomach. He’s dressed in black, a slim green ribbon woven through his dark hair. No priest robes. Does this mean he’s here as Xima Leiye, the son of the Marquis of Qin, and not my father’s henchman? Or is he here as himself, whoever that is? There are too many sides to him for me to fathom.

“Nice disguise.” He gestures at my tunic and pants. I can’t tell if he’s being sarcastic.

“How did you find me?”

Wordlessly, he slips a hand into his robes and pulls out a red mask.

My heart beats faster. “You were at the canyon—you threw that dagger. Have you been following us?”

“Not all the way.”

“Why?”

“I said I would keep you alive.”

I don’t bother to thank him. “What do you want? Are you here to join us? I thought I’d see you on the ship.”

“No, and that’s what I came to tell you. Don’t get on it.”

I frown, confused. “Why not? Didn’t you hire Altan to get me onboard?”

Leiye chuckles mirthlessly. “Is that what Altan said?”

“Why are you saying his name like that?”

“Because I know him by another name,” replies Leiye, stone-faced. “Our agreement was that he’d get you out and keep you hidden. No sea voyage, no sword. Not until I figure things out. Imagine my surprise when no one showed up at the assigned meeting place after your jailbreak. I had to restrategize, stall for time with the Diyeh and your father to give you a head start. I wasn’t given any warning and I had to cover my own tracks.”