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“I will go.”

In my room, I change into a blue robe, then tie up my hair with a red ribbon. As my reflection stares back at me, I reach for the box of face powder from my cousins—but stop myself. Coloring my lips or cheeks won’t change anything between us.

As I walk down the stairs, Shenming is talking to Dian in hushed tones. “You shouldn’t come, Dian. You haven’t regained your strength. I need the strongest warriors with me.”

“The Elders gave you the authority to choose who to bring,” she reminds him. “You’re bringing my sister, who is untrained in magic.”

“Yining sensed where we need to go, she saw the place in her mind. For some reason, she is attuned to the dragons—maybe because they acknowledged her before. Her presence is vital; yours is not,” he says bluntly.

Dian’s expression grows thunderous. “Have you forgotten the times I thrashed you, growing up? My power is stronger than yours—”

“It used to be,” he declares flatly. “Since our childhood, I’ve trained every day while you tended your plants, and blended your incense and elixirs. Though formidable, your skills are unsuited for this quest.”

Dian’s lip curls. “Did Father speak to you? Did he ask you to forbid me from going? My skills have defeated a troop of soldiers without bloodshed. If you don’t let me go, I’ll follow anyway. I’m free to now, after removing the root of my ring.”

Shenming’s face falls. “Your father has suffered enough loss, Dian. You only just returned.”

“This is my choice, Shenming. You’ve always respected that even when others didn’t.” Her tone softens. “I’m still strong. I helped bear the Sun Dragon home. Let me be his guardian, I will keep him safe.”

Shenming’s expression is trapped, unwilling to anger either my father or Dian. At last, he nods. She throws her arms around him briefly—a flush spreading along the back of his neck, stirring a suspicion I’d previously smothered.

“I’ll start packing,” Dian informs him.

After leaving my house, Shenming and I head toward the ruined bridge that once joined the kingdoms. Over two dozen soldiers have gathered there, their tense expressions edged with hostility.

“Are we traveling to Thorn Valley with all these guards?” I ask.

“We must be cautious when they seek what we possess,” Shenming says.

There is an arrogance to my people that I’m only awakening to now, believing they are more fortunate—that others are scheming to trick them of their gifts. “If we persist in treating Thorn Valley as an enemy, we could be forcing them into that role.”

Have you not done the same? an irksome inner voice whispers.

“Thorn Valley could have kept the starfire and the Sun Dragon for themselves,” I remind Shenming. “They could have seized power, instead of asking for the help they need.”

“They are afraid to challenge us openly.”

“Or maybe they aren’t as grasping as we believe.”

Shenming sighs. “These arguments are why some question your loyalties.”

A flicker of unease. “Who does? The Elders?” I look at him. “Are you assigned to be my minder?”

“No, I want to be your friend. Take your own advice and stop treating me as the enemy. Think of our people—those you should be loyal to.”

Shenming turns to the waiting soldiers and nods. Together, they lift their hands, their rings aglow. Magic pulses through the air as the shining lotuses appear, floating toward us—Shenming directing one toward me. Radiance glazes their petals, their fragrance intoxicating. In the water, the luminous seagrasses undulate in an eerie rhythm.

We travel in silence, the mist winding thickly between us until it almost feels like I’m alone. Traveling by lotus is far steadier than being borne by the fireflies—yet I miss being rowed by Jin. I never realized how precious those times were when it was just us in the world… and how fleeting.

At last, the silhouette of Thorn Valley appears in the distance, not the pier but the shore Dian and I left to reach our island. Except now the sands are crowded with dozens of Thorn Valley soldiers in black leather armor, the copper etchings gleaming—Jin and his uncle at the forefront. My people aren’t the only ones to bring reinforcements, neither side trusting the other.

Our soldiers exchange nervous glances. “Shall we draw our weapons, Captain Shenming?” one asks.

“No. Their weapons are sheathed,” Shenming says. “But keep your magic at the ready.”

“They won’t attack. Their greeting matches ours, a show of equal force,” I point out quickly.

But as my eyes meet their leader’s, blazing gold in the sunlight—the furious glint in his gaze makes me wonder if I’m wrong.