The evening was clear and calm; not a single cloud would have dared to mar the Celestial Emperor’s celebration. Liwei and I landed by a mirrored lake, embraced by lilac-gray mountains and graceful cypresses. Gold-tipped lotuses bloomed upon the waters, illuminated by hundreds of floating candles, their light spilling across the waves like ribbons of flame. A crowd of immortals had already gathered within a large pavilion, its roof of malachite tiles gleaming beneath the starlit sky. Stone peonies encircled the base of each gilded column, so intricately carved and painted, they seemed to spring from the ground. Glowing lanterns were strung up between the trees from which clusters of bells cascaded, tinkling with the breeze.

My spirits lightened at the sight of the gaiety, having dreaded another stiff banquet in the Hall of Eastern Light, a place that brought back too many troubling recollections.

“What is this place?” I asked.

“Luminous Pearl Lake. When the moon is full, as it will be tonight, its reflection upon the waters is exquisite,” Liwei said.

I straightened the sash around my waist that held together my azure silk robe. As my fingers brushed the embroidered magnolias, they swayed like a breeze had swept through, raining silken petals that morphed from white to rose. It was beautiful, yet for this evening’s company I would have preferred my bow slung across my back.

When we entered the pavilion, the conversation dwindled to a hush. Guests turned to us before stepping aside, clearing a path to Their Celestial Majesties. They appeared as twin pillars of flame, seated upon carnelian thrones, draped in vermilion robes sewn with dragons and phoenixes encircled by rolling clouds.

Sweat broke out over my palms. I wanted to leave but forced myself onward. Before the thrones, I clasped my hands and lowered myself to the floor. As I bowed my head, the silver pins in my hair pinched where they pulled tight. Ping’er’s deft fingers had twisted my hair into intricate coils that lent me the illusion of belonging amid this dazzling crowd, at least for the night.

“Your Celestial Majesties, I wish you a joyous celebration.” My greeting paled in light of the other extravagant compliments offered, but anything more elaborate would have stuck in my throat.

A long silence followed before I lifted my head to the emperor. Strands of pearls clicked above those stony eyes, glinting with the embers of a simmering wrath. My skin prickled with an echo of the torment the emperor had inflicted upon me, his Sky-fire stabbing like a thousand tiny blades.

“Rise. You are welcome.” The emperor’s tone was gracious, his expression morphed into a mask of calm. Had I imagined that flash of rage? He acted as though we were meeting for the first time, as though I had never defied him and he had not tried to kill me for it. Perhaps it was better this way … if only I could believe it was true.