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Unclasping my cloak, I let it fall to the floor. My hands are cold as I move forward, braced for danger as I lift my face. Heads turn as I walk, whispers rising from the crowd. Fear claws, yet I fix a smile on my face—all the way until I reach the dais. There is no turning back now, there was none the moment I stepped through these walls. The Palace of Nine Hills was always easier to enter than it was to leave.

“I also have a gift for Your Majesty,” I announce clearly.

Queen Chunlei stills in the act of setting the crown back on her head. As she lowers it to clasp it in her arms, Jin watches me with an unreadable expression, while General Xilu rises, drawing his sword. The engraved hawk gleams from his armor, yet none of the soldiers bear his mark anymore, his authority diminished.

“Seize her,” he commands. When the soldiers glance toward Queen Chunlei, the general’s face darkens.

“Sit down, Xilu.” The queen sounds weary, like his presence is an encumbrance.

“Don’t you remember what she did?” he demands, remaining on his feet. One who is accustomed to issuing orders doesn’t take them well. “Her magic—”

“Is nothing to mine,” the queen declares. “Moreover, our army is here. The iron suppresses her power, not mine. This time, no one is coming for her.”

When she smiles at Jin, his eyes slide back to her—jealousy piercing my heart. Queen Chunlei is skilled at breaking spirits, reshaping them to fit her purpose. Except she’s right, no one is coming for me. I am alone.

“I didn’t think you would make it here,” she tells me. “You aren’t the type to throw your life away, to make a futile stand for honor or sacrifice.”

“Then why does Your Majesty think I’m here?”

“You were always good at protecting your self-interest.”

“I accepted Your Majesty’s invitation. However, my welcome is colder than the one you gave Lord Hairong.” I add with deliberate measure, “My gift is of no less worth.”

The queen’s eyes gleam, but General Xilu moves between us. “She’s lying. We should execute her now.”

“Kill me, and the starfire will be destroyed,” I lie unflinchingly. “It is bonded to me until I choose to yield it; you cannot take it by force.” As I touch the locket, the starfire flickers—its brightness muted yet unmistakable for any looking closely.

“Impossible!” Lord Hairong hurries back to the dais. “Our magic cannot do such a thing.”

“My powers aren’t bound by the same constraints as yours, Lord Hairong. The Sun Dragon bequeathed me magic he never gave you.” Satisfaction swells as his mouth puckers.

General Xilu grabs my shoulder, seizing the locket with his other hand, yanking hard. The chain bites into my neck—silvery light sparking along it. At once, the general drops the locket back down, cursing as thick welts streak across his palm.

“Care to try that again, General?” I needle him, then turn to the queen. “Is this how Your Majesty treats those who fulfill your commands?”

“Don’t trust her, Your Majesty,” Lord Hairong seethes. “She tried to stop me from bringing the starfire to you—”

“Because you weren’t going to share the prize,” I interject, cutting him off. “You did none of the work, yet want to claim all the reward.”

As Lord Hairong sputters, the queen ignores him, staring at my locket, an unbridled hunger burning in her gaze. “Is this really the last starfire? Why is it dulled?”

“Your Majesty knows whether it is real or not.”

She studies me with her keen ability to read others that won her the crown. “Why surrender it to me?”

“For what was promised in your message.” Our eyes go to Jin, but he only looks at her.

“Is that all?” she probes.

I shake my head; I will strike a deal as though I intend to keep it. “I’m also here for the same reason Lord Hairong is: Your Majesty will triumph, and I don’t want to die. Why sacrifice myself for things I don’t understand, for a world that wasn’t kind to me? As you said, someone like me doesn’t care about the world—I just want to save myself, along with those I care for.” My words ring with truth for who I used to be. “If Your Majesty can promise me this, I don’t care who wears the crown.”

Her lips narrow. “You refused my offer once, when I first claimed the throne.”

“Back then, Your Majesty was not holding the pieces that you do now.” As I touch the chain around my neck, her gaze flits to the wounds on General Xilu’s hand, a warning against using force. Though she demanded the starfire from me, she still doubts me, wary of my capitulation.

“Perhaps the last starfire isn’t needed?” I’m pushing her to accept, running out of time. “After all, Your Majesty already possesses great power. What else can this offer you?”

Immortality. She doesn’t say it, yet her fingers splay wider around the crown, the light in her eyes almost as bright as the jewel within. This isn’t about conquest anymore; she already possesses enough power to seize the realms by force. This is to ensure her reign lasts forever.