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One day, Tianxia will be no one’s domain, I vowed to myself.

A cunning smile spread across Captain Rao’s face. “Since when is the God of War so merciful? Why have you not struck us down? Where are your soldiers?” He looked up into the night, his tone laced with malice. “Or are they already dead?”

Zhangwei’s blade gleamed as he swept it forward, its point aimed at the captain. “Your little trick with the skies will not hold,” he said coldly, as though he’d not already tried to break it. “Queen Caihong’s soldiers will soon arrive. Do you wish to face her wrath?”

The Wuxin shuffled nervously, except for Captain Rao who was studying Zhangwei.

“How did you escape the Netherworld?” Zhangwei demanded. “How did you seal the skies?”

“Why should we tell you?” Captain Rao replied insolently.

He lunged at Zhangwei abruptly, his twin daggers thrust before him—long and curved—whirling till they were a blur. The God of War’s sword flew up, deflecting each blow with startling swiftness.

Not even the rain can touch you.

The captain fell back, facing Zhangwei, arms outstretched as he circled him. He was panting, his expression cautious now. Without warning, his daggers swept up, the curved blades arching toward Zhangwei’s throat. A scream hovered on my lips as Zhangwei flung his sword up, thrusting it between the daggers, sparks scattering from the force of his blow. As the immortal twisted his arm deftly, he swept one of the daggers from the captain’s grip, flinging it away. The Wuxin dove forward, his teeth bared as he thrust his remaining dagger forward—but Zhangwei dipped back, then kicked the captain in his side, knocking the dagger from his grip.

The Winged Devils were advancing on my soldiers. Before I could rush forward, something gleamed between them, shining like a curtain of stardust. As one of the creatures clawed at it, a hissing sound erupted, fiery welts streaking across its arm. Zhangwei had erected a shield of protection around us, a further strain on his power. Fine lines creased around his eyes, his breathing shallow, my own heart thudding like a drum.

The Winged Devils charged forward, hacking at the god’s barrier. Just Miss Lin stood apart, watching the events unfold, maybe trying to determine who had the upper hand. This was not an even battle, most of our weapons unable to pierce our enemies’ flesh, Zhangwei’s power was stretched thin, straining beneath the weight of the attacks. Light streaked from his palms, bolts of fire hurtling down to strike the Winged Devils like molten rain. They cried out, shields forming around themselves as they stumbled back.

Greenish light arced from Captain Rao’s hand now, plunging toward Zhangwei, but he swung aside. With a swift sweep of his arm, Zhangwei drove his sword into the captain’s shoulder—yet the captain laughed as he wrenched free, blood trickling from his wound.

“God of War, why have you not unleashed your full might? You did so before to mercilessly destroy so many of my kin. What is staying your hand now?”

Zhangwei’s expression was inscrutable. “I don’t need magic to defeat you.”

“I’m starting to think you can’t use it—at least, not as before. Are you unwell, Lord Zhangwei? Still suffering the effects of our curse?” Triumph surged in Captain Rao’s voice.

They knew.

I drew closer to Zhangwei, my mind working quickly. Captain Rao scented victory; he wouldn’t back down. And if the God of War revealed his vulnerability, it would embolden our enemy; they’d never leave. The Wuxin would overrun my kingdom—they’d nearly destroyed us once. I couldn’t let it happen again.

Something slipped into my mind then, something Zhangwei had told me once . . . that I was only now beginning to understand.

With you, I am warm.

I’d thought them tender words to lower my defenses, yet his skin had warmed at my touch. Did the presence of the Divine Pearl Lotus help him in any way? Could I channel part of it to him, lending its strength even if I did not yield it? I couldn’t use its power to save us . . . but the God of War might.

I gestured to Captain Li and whispered a quick command. At once, she ordered my soldiers to form a close circle around Zhangwei and me, facing away from us. To the Wuxin, it appeared like they were guarding me, when they were concealing us from sight. Captain Rao bared his teeth as he advanced, but Miss Lin seized his arm, whispering into his ear.

“What are you doing?” Zhangwei asked in hushed tones.

“Helping you.”

I moved behind Zhangwei, sliding my hand over his, not giving him a chance to protest. A wild guess—this need to touch him as he’d touched me whenever he’d healed me. His body stiffened, but he remained still, his tension seeming to ease. Drawing a breath, I reached inward for the lotus, seeking the heat that pulsed in my chest—trying to recall the little he’d taught me of magic, how it felt when he’d tried to take it from me. Gritting my teeth, I grasped at this unseen thing within, as hard as trying to catch a snowflake before it thawed. I strained against an unseen barrier, not to push it from me but to channel it—toward my hand that was locked around his. Somehow, Zhangwei’s skin was already warming beneath my fingers, the color returning to his face.

Heat surged through my blood now, sweat breaking out over my body. I shivered despite the unrelenting warmth that flowed through me, my fingers gleaming against Zhangwei’s skin. Something bound us in this moment stronger than chains, more intimate than a kiss. We moved in unison, my body attuned to his: I could sense the warmth seeping through him, the power building in his grasp. My lungs tightened as I struggled to breathe, exhaustion looming over me. My instincts rebelled, screaming caution—yet I couldn’t stop. Our lives depended on this.

“This is your final warning. Leave now, or I will show no mercy,” Zhangwei commanded, his voice taking on a new resonance, thrumming with unbound power.

As Captain Rao sneered—Zhangwei’s sword flared like living flame, the air writhing around us in the rhythm of a storm. The power torn from me was like my heart was being wrenched apart. As I gasped, Zhangwei moved away, breaking the contact. I slumped back with relief. Was it enough? I didn’t know if I could do more.

Cries erupted among the Wuxin, the Winged Devils scrambling away. Miss Lin grabbed Captain Rao’s arm. “You’re wrong, the God of War is as strong as before.”

“No,” Captain Rao snapped. “We must continue our attack—”

“Then stay here yourself,” Miss Lin snarled. “I won’t risk us all to fulfil your bloodlust.”