“Why settle for one when there are so many?” My question emerged in a more biting tone than intended. It did not seem fair; so many attending to just one, whether queen or king—unless it was by choice. For if not, this jostle for affection and position was an unenviable situation.

Wenzhi’s fingers toyed with the rim of his cup. “There might be a field of flowers, yet all I need is one.”

“Some flowers have thorns,” I said coldly. “If you pluck them, you will get pricked.”

His gaze flicked to mine. “Those are the most precious of all.”

I ignored the leap in my pulse, shifting my attention back to the dais. As a shadow fell over us, I looked up into a pair of yellow eyes, as bright as a serpent’s. Prince Wenshuang. Something hot and bitter crowded the back of my throat, my stomach churning violently. The memory of how he had pressed his body against mine rushed over me, of his foul breath against my neck. My hands reached instinctively for a weapon I did not have, before clenching helplessly in my lap.

Prince Wenshuang’s brocade robe glittered with amethysts, his hair tucked into a gold headpiece. Ornate rings encircled his fingers, the same ones he had slammed against my cheek and ground into my flesh. Panic crested, but I forced it back. I would not cower from him; he should run. He had hurt me when I was weak and vulnerable, and I had beaten him nonetheless.

“Our sparrow has returned,” he sneered. “Did you miss my company?”

My hand itched to strike his face. Instead, I raked him with a look of scorn. “The carcass of a rat would be better company than you.”

Prince Wenshuang’s skin mottled with rage. “I could have you flayed for that.”

“Try it. Just remember what I did to you without my powers.” My tone was hard, showing neither the revulsion nor fear he roused in me.

“Get lost, brother.” Wenzhi uncoiled to his full height, his voice thick with menace. “Do not forget what I did to you the last time—you’re only standing because of Father’s intervention. I warned you then and I’m warning you now, stay away if you value your life.”

Prince Wenshuang flinched as he stepped back. A fierce satisfaction coursed through me as he stalked away without another word.

“I should have protected you from him,” Wenzhi said.

“After I drugged you and left you for dead? How noble you are.” I spoke flippantly, trying to steady myself from the repulsive encounter.

He sighed as he extended his hand to me. “Only with you, Xingyin. I wish you did not evoke such inconvenient sentiments in me.” When I did not move, he added, “For the sake of appearances, if nothing else. My father believes we are to be wed.”