I glared at him, my fingers tightening around my bow. “That I don’t, for now, does not mean we’re friends or even less than enemies. Nor do I despise you any less.”

“Not friends. Less than enemies?” A mocking lilt to his tone. “You are generous indeed.”

“More than you deserve. But know this: I will never forget your treachery. I will never forgive you. This is as far as things will ever go between us.”

He inclined his head. “I understand, though I will endeavor to change your mind.”

The wind surged then, tossing my unbound hair, our robes fluttering wildly. He shrugged off his outer robe and offered it to me. I did not accept, staring at it like it was a venomous snake.

“I need information,” I said instead. “What recent news have you heard of the Celestial Court?” As the heir to the Demon Realm, his reach went far; they would be certain to keep close watch over their greatest rival and foe.

He sighed as he pulled his robe back over himself. “There was another reason I came tonight. Why I was more … insistent. Beware the newly elevated Celestial general. According to my sources, he has a keen interest in you.”

“General Wu? Beyond the fact he wanted the emperor to sentence me to death?” My gut clenched. Wenzhi was not one to issue such warnings lightly. Moreover, I had been unsettled ever since learning of Shuxiao’s troubles. “Why do you believe this?”

“He keeps a careful eye on those close to you, on your home. He studies books of this place. He has turned the emperor’s attention here.”

A coldness spread from the pit of my stomach. Part of me wanted to confide in him, just as I used to. Though I bore the scars of his deceit, he might know something of use. Slowly at first, I told him of the laurel, my words flowing easier toward the end.

“Was the intruder trying to destroy the tree or harvest its seeds?” he asked.

The first possibility had not occurred to me, but I recalled Master Gang’s deliberate pause after each strike. This had been no frenzied attack intent on destruction. “He wanted the seeds. Fortunately, it seemed a laborious task, taking several blows to dislodge one. There was blood, his blood, staining his hands and the tree.”

“Why don’t you show me the laurel?” When I did not reply, he added, “I just want to help you. I swear this on my life.”

“You have sworn many things to me before.”

“I am not who I was then.”