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I examine my ring, the greenish dye muting the gold root. Dian has given me more of the leaves that I use to stain it regularly. “Aren’t you obligated to tell them? I thought your loyalties—”
She shakes her head vehemently. “The Elders watch over our island, our people, the dragons. My responsibilities are far less onerous, yet as important to me. I look out for myself, for my family too. I protect them, and I’ll hurt anyone who hurts them.” A glimpse of the witch of the past, except this time she’s on my side.
“The Moon Dragon warned me against telling others about the magic.” I should have told her earlier, but was caught up with settling back home, then the preparations for the naming ceremony. Moreover, we were rarely alone—often with Father, Ruilin, or Shenming.
“The dragon told you this?” Dian clarifies. “During our audience with the Elders?”
“Are you surprised?”
“I agree with the Moon Dragon.” Still, she sounds incensed. “But I’m shocked that she deceived us.”
I laugh. “It was an omission of truth.”
“Trust you to find a way around it.” Her eyes narrow. “Don’t omit any truths with me.”
My smile conceals my unease, of hiding from her the deal I struck with Jin. These weeks of silence from him have been unexpected. Is he being considerate of my return, or hoping this delay will dull my anger? Soon, he will summon me to Thorn Valley. Dian would be furious; she would stop me from going.
“I won’t keep this magic,” I tell her instead. “The Moon Dragon also advised me to follow the Sun Dragon to the Waterfall of Eternal Night. Only then can I return his magic, to aid his recovery too.”
“We don’t know where the waterfall is. It could be dangerous.” Lines crease her brow. “I’ll go with you.”
“You haven’t fully recovered, Dian. You need to rest. Father said your bond with your ring was strong when it was snapped. We shouldn’t even be training—”
“I’m better,” she assures me. “We’ve already waited too long. An accident with your magic would risk us all. Is it affecting you?”
“I feel on edge,” I admit. “Like it’s straining at being bound, a little more each day, eager to be unleashed.” I think of Jin’s shield, how safe I felt when his power merged with mine. “When we escaped the palace, Jin helped me control it—”
“The Lord of Thorn Valley’s foremost duty is to his own people. Not ours.” Dian clasps my shoulder, looking into my face. “I am grateful he helped us escape, but I’d keep my eyes open around him, Sister. You are immensely valuable to him, more so with this sliver of magic you possess. You’re the answer to Lord Jin-Yong’s wishes: someone without the knowledge of our past who can be molded to fit his purpose, with the power he desires. He will deceive you to gain what he seeks. You don’t know the history between Thorn Valley and—”
“I know our history; I’m part of it, the stolen child,” I remind her bluntly. “I also know what Jin is capable of. But he risked his life for ours that day in the palace. He didn’t even know about the Sun Dragon’s magic then.”
“He does now.” Her grip tightens. “Whatever Lord Jin-Yong feels for you, his sense of duty is stronger. His father died to protect his kingdom. Moreover, he resents us for withholding the support we once extended. He won’t hesitate to use you to protect his people—even if it endangers you. Even if he leads you into ruin.”
“Both can be true,” I argue. “He could want to keep his kingdom and me safe. I want to help his people too, if I can without hurting myself. Why let others suffer needlessly? Their lives matter as much as ours.”
“What if he must choose? He isn’t like you and me, fighting for family and home. He is the Lord of Thorn Valley, with obligations he cannot cast aside. While Thorn Valley and Mist Island are in conflict, you cannot trust him.” Dian shakes her head. “Yining, you’re not a fool—don’t let him turn you into one.”
“Don’t call me a fool.” I’m trying to restrain my temper. “I’m younger, not stupider. We disagree, but don’t force me to accept your view. I will be cautious, and I ask you to keep an open mind.”
Yet her words have seeded doubt. She is right about Jin’s duty… still I remember the way he looked at me, the urgency of his touch, how he fought his way through the Palace of Nine Hills to reach my side. It’s not just for his kingdom; he wants me too. But which is stronger? While I want him, I won’t be his pawn. I won’t let him sacrifice me.
“Enough about him,” Dian says tersely. “Let’s focus on your training. I don’t know much about the dragon’s power, but channeling our magic should feel like shaping clay in your hands. Exerting the right amount of force is crucial to achieve the desired form—too much and it will break, too slow and you’ll lose control, it will be misshapen. Training will help you achieve this balance until it comes instinctively.”
“It doesn’t feel like that for me. It rushes out with force, like I’m being swept away.”
“Our magic is typically bound by nature, channeled through our rings. You wielded fire, the power of the Sun Dragon—something beyond our capabilities.” She points at a tree beside me. “Let’s test your control: Gather your magic and set a branch alight.”
I reach for the power for the first time since coming here, wary of how it roils eagerly within. My ring sears, the flower glowing as the magic surges impatiently into my grasp—
“Slower,” Dian cautions. “It’s gathering too quickly.”
I tense, struggling to tether this force, heat rippling through my veins.
Her voice rises in urgency. “Release it—now. Slowly. Else it will hurt you.”
But I can’t… the magic swelling violently. Light floods my ring, flames flickering at my fingertips, my body shuddering as the dragon’s magic hurtles toward release—just as when I flung it at the doors of the Palace of Nine Hills.
Except here, there are no enemies to hurt. Just my sister and me.
