“That is not quite true.” The king lowered his tone to a conspiratorial whisper. “I know who your father is—the dragons he used to command, the heavenly creatures he slew. His blood and strength flow in your veins.”

“The dragons are freed of their bond. They no longer answer to him.” I was guarded, unsure of his intent.

“Such ancient ties are not easily broken. If he calls, they will come. Besides, the Cloud Wall needs such strength as you can bring to our line, the children you will bear.”

Red flashed through my vision at his words. I would not dwell on his meaning; rage would engulf me if I did. “The urgency is to defeat Wugang. Now, before he becomes unstoppable.”

“Perhaps he is already unstoppable.” The king spread his hands wide. “Wugang has offered us an alliance. It would be prudent for us to accept. At least for now.”

I glanced at Wenzhi, who shook his head.

“My son knows nothing of this. I will accept the newly crowned Celestial Emperor’s offer if you refuse mine. I have no love for the Celestial Kingdom; it gladdens me to see them brought low. Yet Wugang’s rise threatens us too. Not now, when there are greater prizes to seize, the jewel of the Celestial Kingdom for the taking. But new horizons will beckon to him soon, his thirst for conquest unquenched. Such as he will not be satisfied with one kingdom when there are eight.”

“Then we must stop him—”

“Among all the kingdoms in the Immortal Realm, the Cloud Wall alone has the choice to bide our time,” the king interjected. “To study our enemy, to fortify ourselves when others are weakened, to eliminate enemies of the past—and to strike when it is least expected.”

“Wugang will only grow stronger,” Wenzhi cautioned. “His army will multiply with none to stop him, and once the other kingdoms fall, their armies will be his to command.”

“Whatever is left of their armies.” The king spoke with a brutal callousness. “Nor will we be idle; we will prepare ourselves for any eventuality. This new order might be to our favor, for we are weary of being the outcasts of the realm.”

“Father, surely you do not believe that—” Wenzhi protested.

The king’s hand flew up. “Enough. My patience is wearing thin.”

Perhaps the king had been isolated in his domain for too long, not comprehending the danger to the realm. Or perhaps it was a cunning tactic to force our hand. My hand, I thought wrathfully.

“If we are to risk defying Wugang, we must be well positioned to share in the spoils of victory after,” the king declared. “Not to be discarded after our usefulness is gone. The Dragon Lord was revered throughout the kingdoms. Now he has returned, a union with your family would benefit us greatly.”

“Father, I’ve told you I do not want this,” Wenzhi said adamantly. “Not this way.”