“We won’t be. I know the palace like the back of my hand, and I have no desire to rot in a Celestial prison for eternity. They do not look kindly upon thieves.” Tao grimaced. “Disguise yourself and conceal your face, as an added precaution. Guard my back, and I’ll do the rest. The time has never been better. With the recent changes in the army leadership, the palace defenses have been weakened. Fewer guards are on duty; the wards are not as strong as they once were.”

General Wu was undoubtedly a poor replacement for General Jianyun. “Have you told anyone else of your plan?” I asked, wary of discovery.

Tao cocked his head at me. “You’re the first person we’ve approached. We asked you because you want it as much as we do, and you’re competent with that bow, by blood if nothing else.”

I stared at the pair, sensing nothing but an urgency that matched my own. And if we were caught, all of us would suffer the consequences. The thought of stealing from the Celestial Emperor flooded me with trepidation. Yet beneath, coursed a more profound terror, that I might lose my father just when I had found him.

“Very well,” I agreed.

“Tomorrow night. We’ll meet within the grove of camphor trees, just south of the Imperial Treasury.” Tao exchanged a guarded look with his sister. “One more thing. You can’t tell anyone else about our plan, especially Prince Liwei.”

“Why not?”

Tao’s eyes flashed. “What if His Highness tried to stop you? What if he spoke to the Keeper of Mortal Fates about my sister? If you can’t promise us your discretion, we’ll take our chances elsewhere.”

My gut twisted as I nodded tersely. I did not want to lie to Liwei, even as I struggled with how to tell him the truth. Yet this was my best hope to help my father, and I would not fail him.

My worries consumed me throughout the journey back. As I stepped off the cloud, I found Liwei leaning against one of the mother-of-pearl columns that flanked the entrance. Waiting for me, undoubtedly.

His eyes slid over my garments, my fingers itching to smooth my robe, crumpled from those hours spent hunched in wait. A far cry from the embroidered silk dresses I had worn in the Jade Palace.

“I like what you’re wearing,” he said quietly. “It suits you.”

Warmth flared in me at his words. I tapped the silk cord around my wrist, which sprang free, writhing in the air. “It’s useful too. They have been enchanted to tie themselves.”