Page 6

6

Qian and I left our respective parties behind and made our way outdoors. The garden in the afternoon was full of bees and hummingbirds flying among bright flowers and darting past our heads. Turquoise-colored petals from the flowering balafon trees flanking the path floated through the wind, littering the cobblestones beneath our feet like they were a carpet, making the air smell like cinnamon and peaches, summer and spice. It would have been a beautiful sight, but the angry droning in my ears remained for a few minutes even when we made our way down the garden steps and into the bright sunshine.

At least outside I felt normal again. My rage subsided like waves on the shore. It had come from the depths of my heart; it felt like I was drowning in it. I breathed deep, allowing myself to relax my shoulders.

Qian walked beside me, his arms clasped casually behind his back as I led him through the garden. At the edge was a private terrace with a pergola draped in sheer white curtains and two small chairs, which overlooked the blue water of Lake Reyna, the island, and the sea beyond. Gigantic thunderhead clouds loomed high in the distance, fluffy as cotton. Multicolored gulls cawed overhead and swooped through the air toward the Sirena village below. Qian went to the edge of the terrace and braced himself against the railing as the wind kicked up and made his hair flutter. It occurred to me how handsome he was, and in the wind, he looked especially regal and strong.

“Spectacular view,” he said. He looked at me with a hint of mischief in his eyes, and I realized he wasn’t just talking about the scenery.

“It’s my favorite place,” I said, tempering my blush with a distraction. “Nix and I come here often.”

“I see no guards, no defenses. What’s to stop a monster from lurking these grounds? Your borders aren’t safe. Any number of them could have come into your garden and snatched my sister in a heartbeat.”

“In these lands, creatures you’d deem monsters live among us, as equals and in peace,” I said, knowing full well the manananggal was anything but peaceful.

“I heard that your court was attacked by a witch who deals in the black arts—a mambabarang, right? It slipped right in, killed your father, and then almost killed you during your coronation.”

I shouldn’t have been surprised that word got out about the attack. Everyone in attendance, including Nix, almost died. Qian watched me, gauging my reaction, but I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin. “I stopped them. I protect the ones I care about.” My heart hitched remembering that Lucas was included in that sentiment, and I cleared my throat. “I’m not weak.”

Qian nodded as I spoke, tracing a finger along the intricate designs carved into the wood of the pergola, and smiled. “That I know.” Was he flirting with me? Or was this just a way to play politics? I had to maintain my composure. Like Elias said, I couldn’t let him dictate the rules.

“Yesterday you said you were hapa,” I prompted.

Qian nodded again. “Nix and I are half siblings. My mother, my father’s first wife, whom he married early in his reign, was human. Inevitably, due to the nature of us…” He gestured to me and then to himself. “I’ve outlived her by some margin.”

Like humans, encantos could die, but they usually lived to be thousands of years old. The Jade Emperor himself was rumored to be nearly three thousand years old. I couldn’t help but be reminded that someday I would stop aging, too, but I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat, not wanting to think about how I could ever go on without my mom. “Nix and I bonded over being hapcantos when we first met. We became fast friends.”

“And you’ve been treating her well? My Nix?”

Anger rose up in me again, though less so than when we were at the table. “I’m offended you think I wouldn’t.”

“Not every ruler in this age is so benevolent.”

“Does that include yourself?”

Qian’s eyes crinkled slightly when he smiled, and he took my jab lightly, more lightly than I might have expected of a future emperor. “I have my bad days. I am only encanto, after all. But I find locking people away in dungeons too medieval. Leave that to the Avalonians.” I’d never met an Avalonian, but I think he meant it as a joke.

“Nix told me you’re a good person,” I said. “She seems to believe that you’ll make a good emperor someday, too.”

“A day I hope won’t come too soon.”

“You don’t want to be emperor?”

“Not if I can help it.”

My eyebrows shot up.

“Don’t be so surprised,” he said. “I’m in no rush to take the title. Any sane man doesn’t want his father to die so he can take his crown.”

At least Qian had one thing going for him: He wasn’t power hungry like I initially expected of a crown prince. It was as if the light had shifted on his face, and now I saw him more clearly. Like me, he was just trying to do right. He was probably one of the only people who understood what I was going through.

A playful glint appeared in his eye. “What else did Nix say about me?” he asked.

“That you’re a hunter, that you’re patient and calculating.”

Qian laughed. “She speaks too highly of me.”

A bee landed on Qian’s hand. He didn’t flinch but simply raised it to his face, inspecting it closely before it flew away. He was a lot different from what I had expected. I needed to find a way to appeal to him.

“Neither of us wants war,” I said.

Qian tipped his head. “On that we can both agree.”

“Really? You seemed so blasé about it earlier. I figured you were out for blood.”

Qian sighed loudly through his nose and glanced toward the sea. “First impressions are not my strong suit. And based on your reaction, they’re not yours, either.” He tapped on his broken nose. “But I’m not opposed to finding a more diplomatic solution with you. War is a failure on all fronts.”

“Good,” I said. “I’m not your enemy.”

Qian regarded me for a moment, taking me in with a slight smile. “No, indeed, you’re not. Especially after I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you.”

Even as I gazed across the seascape, I could still feel his eyes on me. It wasn’t particularly uncomfortable, but at the same time, I didn’t know what to do. He was making my heart race.

“I am sorry for what happened,” he said. “Truly. I hope you won’t hold it against us.”

“A prince apologizing? I’m shocked.” I didn’t mean to say that out loud. I covered my mouth, but he laughed heartily at that. “I’m sorry. I’m not one to hold grudges, for too long at least. And I’m sorry about your nose. How is it?”

“Better. Nothing a healer can’t fix. Do try and not make a habit out of it, though. I find I rather like the shape of it.”

That got me to smile, and Qian seemed pleased with himself. I joined him at the railing and looked out across the water. Fishing boats bobbed on the horizon, and below, coming into view only when the breeze cut through the branches of the palm trees, we could see the market, teeming with activity and noise. Biringan City was a peaceful place, and I couldn’t imagine war coming to its shores. It was the absolute last thing I wanted, but it didn’t feel right handing Nix over to her family so easily.

“Nix feels at home here,” I said. “She said she doesn’t want to be caged. Isn’t it fair to give her that freedom?”

“The world is dangerous. A cage in shark-infested waters is also protection.” Qian tilted his head, curious. “How would your mother feel if you fled to another country? She’d probably think you were in danger or hurt. There’d be a million terrible things running through her head at all times, keeping her up at all hours, wondering if you were safe. And if she found you, would you blame her for wanting to take you home?”

“No,” I admitted. “It’s not too far off from what really happened, though our roles were reversed. I had to escape the human world and left my mom behind while she tried to protect me. She got hurt and was in the hospital while I was stuck here, trying to figure out the mess left by my father’s passing. I felt so alone.”

“Then you understand how protective I am of Nix. You see how I would move heaven and earth to ensure that she’s safe.” He came around to my other side, the scent of him catching the breeze and enveloping me. He smelled like bergamot.

“There’s a fine line between wanting to protect someone and wanting to control them,” I said.

“I disagree. Protection isn’t control. It’s only love. Nix is my favorite of all my sisters,” Qian said. “When we were growing up, she was my shadow. I could hardly step two paces without finding her underfoot. When my father and I went on hunting trips, she’d cry and scream, wanting to go with us, but her nursemaids never let her, fearing it was too dangerous. Once, though, I found her stowed away in my luggage, and I pretended not to hear her giggling as we rode out into the forest. I circled the palace a few times until she started snoring and returned her to her room.” His smile was warm—no doubt it was a good memory—and when he looked at me, there was only sincerity. “Nix means too much to me to let her go so easily.”

“I understand. Really, I do. Nix has been a true friend to me since I arrived. I didn’t have anyone except for her.”

“But you can’t keep her safe like I can.”

The both of us wanted what was best for Nix, but neither of us felt like the other could provide it. Even though my opinion of him had changed ever so slightly, I still didn’t think he knew what was best for her. But I didn’t know what to do. I knew Nix should return to her family, but she was her own person who wanted independence. No matter if she were royal or not, would I be terrible to make her go back to Jade Mountain against her will? Would I be setting a poor example by letting Nix stay?

As I thought about it, Qian’s hand accidentally brushed against mine. It was the slightest touch that made me flinch, so slight, I thought it had been an accident. And it seemed to be, because Qian simply rested his hands on the railing once more while he gazed out across the island. He wasn’t a cruel person—at least, I didn’t think so. He wasn’t the enemy. But I had to find a way to get him to see things from my perspective.

I turned, squared my shoulders to him, and said, “Isn’t it better that Nix live the life she wants? A family shouldn’t hold her back.” But I wasn’t her family. Thinking that hurt more than I cared to admit. What was family if not the people we loved? But I wasn’t family like Qian was hers.

Qian’s gaze slid toward me, a hint of danger there, and my heart skipped. “Nix is my top priority,” he said. “Jade Mountain is where she belongs until she finds a suitable match.”

Heat rose to my face. He was unswayed and being stubborn. The same roiling anger in my gut churned, and the bitterness in my mouth needed somewhere to go. “You don’t know her at all. You only want to use her, but you’re claiming it’s for her own good. She doesn’t deserve that.”

Qian leveled his eyes at me again, and I met his gaze unwaveringly. We stood inches apart. I was fuming, but he remained calm and collected, tall and confident.

“You misunderstand me completely,” he said. “My family’s safety is more important to me than any power in the world. Nix knows this. Marriage between other kingdoms ensures it. She must put aside her selfish desires and think of the greater good.”

“The greater good means nothing when freedom is sacrificed,” I said.

“The greater good is nothing but sacrifice.” He said it as if he were stating the obvious.

“I won’t turn my back on my friend,” I said defiantly.

“And I won’t abandon my sister.”

“Then we’re at an impasse.”

“I guess we are.” Qian’s dark eyes peered deeply into mine, but if he saw any anger in them, it didn’t perturb him. To him, I probably looked like a flustered girl with a bad temper. Being this close to him, I noticed that his eyes weren’t dark brown like I originally thought but a deep, almost impossible blue, like the deepest part of the ocean. After what felt like forever, Qian hummed, smiled, and said, “For now.”

Qian took a step backward, then turned on his heels and headed back toward the palace. “My men and I will settle in for a while longer. Let’s talk again tomorrow.”

“You’re not leaving?” I asked.

“Not yet. I’m coming to enjoy our one-on-ones,” he called back to me. “I look forward to seeing more of you, MJ.”