“Mother!” I embraced her, flinching from the chill that glazed her skin. “What happened? The lanterns were not lit tonight.”

Her lips parted to whisper, “I received a note. It told me to come here.”

“I read it,” I admitted. “Who was it from?”

“There was no name. It was left on my table.”

“A trick. Why else would someone leave a note this way, to deliver it in such a furtive manner?” If only I had sensed the intruder coming through the wards, but my attention had been diverted at the emperor’s banquet.

“It was no trick. I saw your father. His hair was gray, he looked different … but I would recognize him anywhere.” She lifted her eyes to me, huge and dark. “Why would he run from me? Why would he hide?”

Something prickled along my spine. “It’s not possible. Father is dead.”

“I know what I saw.”

The tremor in her voice gave me pause. I stroked her back, trying to soothe away her anxiety, a reversal of the times she had comforted me before. I did not mention the emperor’s wrath or the accusations flung our way. The damage was done, and what mattered most was that she was unharmed.

“I will help you find him,” I told her.

Together, we combed the forest, the riverbank and hill—but there was no sign of life beyond the wild creatures who fled at our approach. When the golden shafts of dawn speared the night, I summoned a cloud to bring her home.

“I won’t leave. It was him.” Her words fell out in a cry.

“Mother, you must return,” I said.

“Your father—”

“I will continue the search,” I assured her. “You should leave. Rest. The Celestial Emperor might summon you at any moment.”

She paled at the mention of the emperor, climbing upon the cloud without further protest. “What should I say?”

I thought quickly. “Tell him you overslept. Don’t mention anything about coming to the Mortal Realm. His Celestial Majesty would not look kindly upon it. It is better he believes us incompetent than a challenge to his authority.”

She nodded as her cloud ascended, borne upon a gentle breeze—though her eyes remained fixed below until she vanished into the heavens.

Guilt pierced me for sending her away, yet I could move quicker alone. More than that, I wanted her back in the safety of our home, fearing this had been a ruse to distract her into forgetting her duties, to incite the emperor’s wrath … though I did not know why.