I nodded, placing my hand in his lightly, his fingers closing around mine. My breathing quickened as we approached the dais, the guards shifting to allow us to pass, though their watchful stares never left us. Following Wenzhi’s lead, I bowed to the king from my waist. This close, his aura swept over us, as slippery and opaque as a frozen pond. As I lifted my head, my eyes collided with his—almost white, with a shimmering iridescence like that of opals. The lines of his face were sharp, while his body was lean and long. Thin reddish streaks formed his lips, which curved into a humorless smile.

“You are welcome here, daughter of Chang’e and Houyi.”

His greeting was cordial and his voice silken, though my insides flinched at the sound. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

One of the women stepped forward—the Noble Consort, Wenzhi’s mother. Jade hairpins were tucked into the coils of her dark hair, strung with chains of coral that cascaded to her shoulders, the same vivid shade as her robe. Her round eyes were the rich brown of chestnuts, set in the oval of her face. Despite the delicacy of her features, a quiet strength emanated from her.

Wenzhi bowed to her, his voice warmer than when he had addressed his father. “Mother, you look well tonight.”

She beamed at him, radiant in her joy. “Thank you, my son. I am glad you are here. The Virtuous Consort said you would not come.” Wenzhi’s mother glanced at the vermilion-clad lady behind her whose mouth was curled into a sneer.

I kept my expression calm as Wenzhi gestured toward me. “This is Xingyin.”

“I have heard much of you.” A laugh thrummed in her voice, one of humor not scorn. She pulled off a jade bangle from her wrist and held it out to me, the stone a vivid translucent red. “A gift for you.”

“Thank you, Noble Consort. I must decline.” My refusal came out stiffly, discordant to the generosity of the gesture.

A frown puckered her brow as she slipped the bracelet back over her hand. Perhaps she thought me shy, or more likely, believed me ill-mannered. Except I really did not want it. I was never at ease accepting gifts from strangers, particularly when I did not know their true price.

“Did my son tell you of my terms?” The king’s words hurtled like darts, his keen gaze upon me.

“Yes, Your Majesty, but I do not understand the need for this union,” I said carefully. “Wugang is a grave threat to us all. We should unite to defeat him.”