The tips of my ears burned. I ignored his earlier question, asking, “Are you telling the truth about the wards?”

His eyes thinned in a familiar look of exasperation. “If you don’t believe me, by all means go ahead. You will be stopped before you get a foot through the gates.” He cocked his head to one side. “I think I prefer it that way, putting an end to your scheme. Attempted entry would be a far lighter offense than whatever you have planned.”

“I can’t be caught. I’m not allowed to leave the moon.” I clamped my mouth shut, regretting my words. If I was discovered defying the emperor’s edict, it would endanger us tenfold. And if I attempted to break the wards, that might sound an alarm, summoning a trail of suspicious soldiers upon my heels.

Wenzhi lowered himself into a mocking bow. “Perhaps I might be of service. I have some experience getting into places I’m not supposed to.”

I stared at him. “Why would you help me?”

“As I told you, I wish to make amends. I also prefer that you remain alive and not locked away in some Celestial prison. It would be much harder to extricate you then.” He added with emphasis, “You would owe me nothing. Think of this as recompense for my wrongs.”

“Nothing you do will ever make up for your wrongs,” I said scathingly.

“Part recompense, then,” he amended, even as an unreadable expression flashed across his face.

I did not like accepting favors from him, nor did I trust him enough to share my plan. Yet I would not risk discovery upon a point of pride; I would not gamble with our lives.

“Help me get into the palace, but you cannot follow me,” I told him.

“Will you tell me what you’re doing?”

I smiled brightly. “No.”

He released a sigh. “What do you want me to do?”

“Break the wards around the Western Gate.” Heat glazed my face at my hypocrisy. I had railed at him for such treachery before, and now I was enlisting his aid to do the same.

“Unless you possess an invading army, the palace wards can’t be tampered with from outside,” he told me.

I had not known this. My assignments in the Celestial Army had always taken me beyond the Jade Palace; I had never guarded its walls.

“Could you draw the guards away from the gate?” I asked. “A diversion to distract them?”

“I would prefer a harder task.” When I did not reply, he inclined his head. “As you wish.”

“Thank you.” Gratitude for him sat uneasily within me.

“If you are not out by sunrise, I will come for you.” His eyes shone silver bright.

“I don’t need your help to get out,” I said curtly.