“I apologize for my brother’s rudeness, Your Majesty,” Prince Yanxi interjected, casting a stern glare at his brother. “Perhaps you might listen to what the Moon Goddess and her daughter have to say?” His tones were carefully modulated to show no partiality.

The slightest dip of Queen Suihe’s head was the only indication that I should speak. From the hard set of her face, she was not inclined to listen, yet I would try.

“We did not lie, but we did not tell you the whole truth—that it was the Celestial Kingdom who attacked us, unprovoked, and drove us from our home. For that, I am sorry. We did not intend for any harm to come to your people and were about to leave to avoid trouble.” Despite her hostile expression, I plowed on. “Strange things are happening in the Celestial Kingdom: unexpected shifts in power, loyal and trusted advisors being sidelined. Change is on the horizon, and not for the better.”

Queen Suihe’s eyes blazed, an enigmatic smile upon her lips. “You are right about one thing—change is on the horizon, and I intend to be on the right side of it.” She turned to the Celestial messenger. “Inform His Celestial Majesty that I have apprehended the Moon Goddess and her daughter upon his request. They will be imprisoned here to await his justice. In return, I ask that he remembers the value of our friendship.”

The messenger bowed, yet he did not leave as I expected. His hand shimmered with a greenish light as he touched the jade on his hat. A soft chime rolled through the silence, the stone glowing brighter, before dulling once more. “His Celestial Majesty commanded us to inform him the moment we had news. He will arrive shortly,” he intoned.

“We will prepare a suitable welcome for His Celestial Majesty,” Queen Suihe said.

A chill sank through my veins. The Celestial Emperor was coming here? Was it because of Liwei? All knew my part in his escape. As the messenger left the hall, I addressed the queen. “Your Majesty, would you reconsider? If you let us leave, you will have a loyal friend in us forever.” A paltry offer, but I had little else.

A shrill laugh broke from her, scraping like nails over my nerves. “Leave? That you will, except under my terms. I far prefer the friendship of the one who possesses the might of the Celestial Army to yours.” Her hand flew up in a curt wave to the guard. “Take them to the cells. Find their friend and lock her up too.”

Relief flooded me that I had told Shuxiao and the others to leave the palace. I hoped they would flee for there was no sense in us all getting captured. They could return for us later, and I had no doubt they would.