I turned to look her full in the face. “I used to think the outside world did not matter, as long as they left us untouched. I prided myself on not being unduly burdened by the inconveniences of honor or ambition, caring only about my home, my family and loved ones. I was wrong.” My voice broke then. “Trouble reached us, no matter how we tried to keep clear of it. Our home was taken. We were hunted. We lost those we loved.”

Evil must be struck at its roots. The Long Dragon’s words echoed through my mind.

My mother pressed her palm to my cheek and I leaned against it. She did not speak, the love shining in her face thawing a little of the ice in my heart.

A knock on the door broke the tender moment. As my father, Liwei, and Wenzhi entered, I rose to my feet and grasped the Jade Dragon Bow. It tingled with a frenetic energy, as though sensing my intent. Had it hoped for this all along? Had I merely been its custodian? It did not matter. This was something I should have yielded before, except I had been too selfish—relieved even, when my father had refused it the first time. It hurt to give it up, but I did not need it where I was going, and I was glad to have finally found its true owner.

“Father, this is yours.” I bowed, raising my hands to offer him the bow.

He pushed it aside. “Keep it, Xingyin. I do not need it.”

“The Jade Dragon Bow belongs to you,” I repeated. “You must take it. Sky-fire can bring down Wugang’s soldiers. Use it to keep Mother and you safe. Be careful not to exhaust yourself.” I stopped then, feeling a little foolish like I was trying to teach a fish how to swim. This weapon was an extension of his arm.

He made no move to take it, but perseverance was a trait we both shared. Taking his hand, I pried his fingers apart to press the bow into his grip. The jade glittered, light rippling through the frame across our joined hands—just as when I had first touched it—my skin flushing cold, then hot. The carved dragon writhed and shuddered, before stilling once more.

And then, it was gone—that pull I had always sensed from the bow. I let go, leaving it in my father’s grasp. An ache pierced me, as though I had bid a dear friend farewell; I did not think I would miss it so. Wielding the bow had made me feel special. Powerful. Strong. Yet I did not need it to be those things.

“Wugang’s soldiers are on their way. We must make haste,” Wenzhi said.