A prickle of warning slid over my skin as I smiled to conceal my concern. “Mother, who are our guests?”

“Meina and Meining are sisters from the Golden Desert. They wish to stay for a few weeks to observe the stars.” She gestured to the elderly immortal beside her. “Master Gang, a skilled musician, has come to seek inspiration for his latest composition. And this is …” She paused, her forehead creasing as she stared at the younger man. “I am afraid we were interrupted before I could learn your name.”

He bowed to us, holding out his clasped hands. “I’m honored to be in your company. My name is Haoran, and I’m a winemaker from the Phoenix Kingdom. My patron, Queen Fengjin, requested a new wine for which I require the finest osmanthus. It is said the most beautiful ones bloom in your forest, and I humbly ask your permission to harvest some of the flowers. I would be eternally grateful for your boundless generosity, that is famed throughout the realm.”

I recoiled inwardly from the obsequious flattery in his words, the way his eyes darted around the room. Something about him set me on edge like a tune played in the wrong rhythm—and it was not just that he was from the Phoenix Kingdom, the closest ally of the Celestial Kingdom and the home of Liwei’s former betrothed. A refusal hovered on the tip of my tongue, an urge rising to send him away. Not just Haoran; all of them. We were safe here, our peace hard-won.

As though sensing my unease, Haoran turned to my mother. “It would be no more than a few days. I brought a humble gift, several jars of my finest wine, one of which was unfortunately dropped outside,” he said with artful cunning.

“Master Haoran, you are most courteous but there is no need for any gift,” my mother replied graciously. “We welcome all of you. I hope you will excuse us for the simple way we live; we do not entertain in a grand manner.”

Master Haoran inclined his head again. “I am grateful.”

The others bowed in acknowledgment before they followed my mother from the room, leaving just Liwei and me in the hall. As I sank onto a chair, pressing a fist to my lips, Liwei took the seat beside me.

“What do you think of Master Haoran?” I asked.

“I would like to try his wines.”

I was in no mood to jest. “Perhaps I’m searching for trouble where there is none. Perhaps I’m used to it.”

Liwei leaned toward me, his face grave. “Trust your instincts; I do. Keep watch over them. If anything happens, send word to me at once.”