He nodded. “Such a union goes against the laws of our realm. It was said the goddess fled to the world below, until she was ordered to return to the skies. Her husband braved great peril to follow her and after much suffering, they were finally allowed to reunite for a single day each year. The seventh day of the seventh lunar month, that the mortals celebrate as the Qixi Festival.”

In the past, I had been entranced by the romance and ethereal beauty of this myth. But after having suffered heartache of my own, my pity was roused. I could not help thinking of my parents and the similarities in their tale. Perhaps all such unions were doomed to tragedy, for what future could a mortal and immortal have when death divided them?

“Why do you look so sad, Xingyin?” Liwei leaned closer until his head grazed mine. “It’s just a story.”

Yet the mortals believed my father’s tale a myth, as they did that of my mother’s ascension to immortality. Perhaps the legends that touched us deepest were those spun from a wisp of truth.

“Is it true?” I wished it was not, that no one had to suffer so—their hearts locked in yearning, forever enmeshed in despair.

He was quiet for a moment. “Perhaps, a long time ago? This place is deserted now; there is no one here, but us.”

“Can any love be worth such misery? One night for a year of pain.”

His hand clasped mine, his grip firm and strong. “It depends.”

“On what?”

“On the night,” he said softly. “On what they were waiting for.”

Our shoulders brushed as we stood side by side, staring into the sea of infinite light. Silk rustled as he reached into his sleeve and drew out a hairpin, lacquered in all the hues of heaven, studded with clear stones. The one he had crafted for me, the one I had returned to him after his betrothal to another. My gaze lifted to his dark eyes, a warmth blooming through my body.

“When I gave you this before, I pretended it was a gift in exchange for yours. I was a coward for not saying what was in my heart then. When we parted the first time, I regretted that so much was left unsaid between us and I feared never to have the chance again.” His voice shook with emotion. “If you would have me, I would pledge myself to you—for now, forever.”