My father said nothing, his eyebrows drawing over narrowed eyes in a look that had undoubtedly struck fear into many a soldier’s heart. What had my mother told him of them? Under other circumstances, he might have inquired after Liwei’s parents, or that of Wenzhi’s family. However, I doubted my father had any concern for the Celestial Emperor’s well-being or that of anyone in the Demon Realm.

“I should have believed you when you told me of your father,” Liwei said. He did not come toward me, and while this new reserve in his manner hurt, it was what I had sought.

“You did not?” Wenzhi’s tone was scathing.

“It seemed improbable even to me,” I said at once.

Liwei ignored him, speaking to me alone. “I am happy for you. I will always be happy for you.”

Was there an additional meaning within his words? Such lies I had told him of Wenzhi, which he had so readily believed—perhaps because he had harbored suspicions from the start. I glanced at Wenzhi, finding his eyes upon me, questioning and bright. Did he wonder at the distance between Liwei and me? If so, it would forever be a mystery, for I would never tell him the truth.

“Why are you here?” I asked Wenzhi.

He shook his head as though disappointed by my question. “Such paltry thanks from you, after I led the Celestial guards away from the eastern gate last night.”

I stared at him. “You did that? You promised you would not interfere.”

He shrugged. “I promised not to follow you. I did not.”

“Did you run into any trouble?” I asked.

“Are you concerned for me, Xingyin?” he tilted his head toward me.

I scowled. “Not in the least. Such a trivial task should be unworthy of your talents.”

“I am glad you think so highly of them.”

As I choked back a rude retort, he smiled. “It was not quite as easy as you would think. These soldiers were far more dedicated to their posts, nor could I enter the Jade Palace in case it roused an alarm. I had to resort to more creative means to draw them away, leading them on a merry chase halfway across the Celestial Kingdom.”

I stifled a flicker of concern for his safety. “Thank you,” I told him, somewhat stiffly.

“I would do that and more for you.”

“Just as you took her captive?” Liwei taunted.

My father’s head jerked up as he rose to his feet, but then Mother tugged his sleeve, until he sat back down—though his expression remained thunderous.

Wenzhi’s eyes glittered dangerously as he turned to me, ignoring Liwei. “I’m beginning to wish you had not succeeded quite so thoroughly last night.”

“I am delighted to have disappointed you.” Liwei’s lips parted in an almost feral smile, one I had never seen before. “If I had known, I would have returned sooner.”