As Liwei raised his hand, the entire court bowed before him. He wanted them to hear what he said next, to extinguish all doubt. “Xingyin, daughter of the Moon Goddess and of the Sun Warrior, for your service to the realm in destroying the everlasting laurel and the traitor Wugang, ask your heart’s desire and it shall be granted.”

I rose and made my way to the front of the throne. Cupping my hands together, I bowed low before him. I would play my role; I would honor him this way so none could fault him. I had earned the right to ask this and I would do it with pride. “Your Celestial Majesty, the only thing I wish for is the Elixir of Immortality.”

Liwei nodded. “It shall be yours. One is almost ready—” His words cut off, unease flashing across his face.

A memory surfaced, penetrating my haze of emotion: Zhiyi showing me the peach, the joy in her face when she spoke of the elixir for her husband, the one Liwei had promised her. And what of my own pledge to her? But there was no urgency, she had an Immortal Peach, my mind whispered—for I did not want to wait.

I turned to the Keeper of Mortal Fates. “Is Wenzhi safe?” Honor dictated my action, but if it came at the cost of his life, I did not think I could do it. If there was just this one chance, I would not relinquish it, though it would stain my soul.

The Keeper nodded. “He is in good health, living in a place called Silver Cloud City. Even should he encounter danger in the realm below, even should he die—it will not affect his true self. Once he is restored to the skies, he will regain his immortal form, his memories and power.”

His words were intended as assurance, yet my hands clenched at the thought of someone hurting him. Mortal or not, they would pay. Yet I forced myself to calm, to think. Wenzhi was alive, he would be restored to all he had lost, he would return to me.

I searched Liwei’s face, catching the wavering light in his eyes. If I asked for the elixir, he would not refuse. His sister need never know of this; she lived in the world below. Silence ensued, my desires battling the better part of me, a voice within screaming at me to not be a fool, to grasp the happiness that lay within my reach—I had waited long enough. And yet, could I dishonor my promise when I owed her my father’s life? Could I burden Liwei with this decision? For it would grieve him to break his word. He had done so much for me, I could not take more.

As long as you are mine as I am yours, we have all the time in the world.