Page 74

“Yes, from the remnants of the jewel, watered in the blood of the dragon and phoenix.”

If only the lotus could have healed them, too. My eyes were damp as I stared at the waters, imagining my grandfather standing here.

Zhangwei gestured to the pavilion on the lake. “Both the gateway and the path to the Ancient Grandmaster lie there, but we’ll have to examine the gateway first.”

“There is no bridge across. Do we swim?” I asked.

In the silence, my gaze followed his, trailing over the lotuses. As a dragonfly landed on the petals, a root sprang up, curling around the creature and dragging it below—the waters rippling in its wake.

“Let’s not swim,” I corrected myself hastily.

“I will carry you,” he offered.

As I nodded stiffly, he slid his arm over my back and the other beneath my knees, lifting me effortlessly. Heat jolted through my body, as I stared ahead—anywhere but at him. With a powerful bound, Zhangwei leapt into the air. Wind surged into my face, thick with the intoxicating fragrance of lotuses. As we soared across the lake, my hands instinctively locked around his neck, my head pressed to his chest. A shudder seemed to course through Zhangwei as he tensed, his arms tightening around me. It felt like flying but for the dips in his rhythm, the feather-light steps he took upon the leafy pads—barely grazing them so they wouldn’t sink beneath our weight. Magic was not his only strength.

He landed by the side of the pavilion, then set me upon the floor. My heart raced as I moved away, adjusting my robe. As we drew aside a brocade panel to enter, the beauty of the ceilings struck me—painted to resemble the skies, the azure blue interspersed with clouds of white. The floor was tiled in an intricate mosaic pattern, circling a small hollow in the center, its border inlaid with amber. A solitary stalk rose from the waters beneath, silvery white, its tip withered like its bloom had been snapped off. Something slid into place inside me, the scar above my heart searing. This was where the Divine Pearl Lotus had grown, the one Grandfather had harvested—then given to me.

I followed Zhangwei to the next chamber, where the ceilings were painted a deep midnight, set with glittering white stones. One of the entryways was connected to a slender bridge that was concealed from where we’d entered—arching over the waters toward the far side of the mountain.

We hurried across the bridge to a shimmering wall that was frosted over like a pane of ice. Here, the air gleamed as though suffused with magic, one that seemed to extend beyond the mountain itself. Thick ropes of vines hung over the surface, thorns glistening from their stalks, entwined with clusters of wisteria. As the wind blew, the petals quivered but did not fall. The place appeared untouched, almost pristine in its desolation.

“The gateway to the Netherworld.” Zhangwei studied it, his forehead creasing. “Something feels different.”

I pointed to a scattering of petals in a corner. “They’ve withered here but nowhere else.”

His frown deepened. “While the gateway appears intact, this part feels thinner, like a patch of fabric worn-out.”

“This must be how the Wuxin entered Tianxia.” I stared at the gateway, growing cold inside. I’d imagined it to be more secure, stronger—not this translucent pane that appeared far too delicate, easily snapped. How could this hold back the Wuxin? If the gateway was broken, my kingdom could be engulfed in a day.

“Why weren’t they sealed further away? Was there nowhere else the Wuxin could be held? Is this why the wall around Tianxia was erected—to keep us all in, mortals and monsters?” Fear made me lash out whether it was deserved or not. One thing was clear, that my people deserved better. “You immortals don’t care what happens to us. We are dispensable, your first line of defense, paying the heaviest price for any conflict.” I shoved at him, unable to control my anger, my pent-up resentment against his kind.

He caught my hand in his firm grip. “Kunlun is the only way to the Netherworld, but it’s not close, even though it might appear that way. The gateway bridges the distance between, like a fold. And the Netherworld was the only place the Wuxin could be sealed away, where they wouldn’t starve, because the Wangchuan River fulfils their needs. As long as Her Majesty’s enchantment holds, they cannot cross the gateway, whether above or under. She wove this spell at great cost to her own strength to keep them away, to keep Tianxia safe. Our guards patrol the grounds to keep watch—”

“Where are they?” I yanked free, stepping back from him.

“Perhaps they couldn’t come because the skies are sealed.”

My anxiety spiked, my mind imagining the worst. “The Wuxin were in my land, my home. The immortals can’t help us; we’re facing this alone. How can there be a crack in the gateway now? What if it breaks?”

“The loss of the Divine Pearl Lotus could have weakened the seal; its magic was entwined with this place,” he said. “Despite this, the gateway still holds—else the Wuxin would have already swarmed your lands. Their small numbers mean only a few can cross at a time. Once Queen Caihong learns of the situation, our warriors will come. Tianxia won’t be left to fend for itself.” He paused, before adding, “But we must get to the Ancient Grandmaster first. It’s the only way to send word to Her Majesty.”

Emotions warred inside me, my habitual caution rearing up. Were these assurances part of his plan to gain the lotus? I wanted to trust him without reservation . . . but I didn’t dare.

As we headed back to the pavilion, Zhangwei clasped my shoulder, drawing me to him. His hold was gentle, soothing me despite the coolness of his touch. “I know you’re afraid,” he said. “But we will find the Ancient Grandmaster. We will get word to Queen Caihong. I will protect you and your people.”

The last was spoken as a promise, one I drew strength from. But suddenly Zhangwei stiffened, releasing me, his hand flying to the hilt of his sword. Footsteps sounded from the pavilion. The brocade panels before us billowed, then parted, as a group of soldiers headed toward us. Sunlight glinted over their gold armor, that of the immortals, relief piercing me at the sight.

As they bowed to Zhangwei, he asked, “Where were you before?”

One stepped forward. “Lord Zhangwei, we were waiting for our replacements for the change of shift. When they didn’t appear, we went to check if there was trouble. But we can’t get word to the palace, like the skies are closed to us.”

“Has there been any sign of disturbance around here?” Zhangwei asked, his hand remaining on his sword.

The soldiers shook their heads in unison. “None, my lord.”

I edged closer to Zhangwei. Their manner was too calm. The sealed skies should have evoked alarm, curiosity at least . . . unless it was no surprise.

“Have you been on duty long?” Zhangwei’s deceptively mild tone set my nerves on edge. “Since the last change of shift at midnight?”