“She let fear rule her actions,” Nisong said. “She saw me as a threat and sought to solidify her position. If she was caught, that’s no fault of mine.”

“And you had nothing to do with it?”

“I didn’t say that either.” She clenched her jaw. “You are the one who always tells me to use my mind to my advantage.” So many light manipulations, so many deeper ones, so many favors bought and paid for. She’d earned this.

Wailun lifted her hands. “I’m not here to scold you.”

A lifetime of hurt welled up within her. But Wailun had scolded her, many times. Always in front of their parents or their friends, or her friends. Foolish, plain Nisong, who showed up where she didn’t belong, who spoke up out of turn. When they were alone, she could be kind. When they weren’t, she treated her with disdain. All Nisong wanted was for someone to believe in her, to hold her in some sort of esteem. When she was alone with her sister, she felt that maybe Wailun did, only to have her hopes dashed over and over.

She’d closed off her heart to Wailun long ago. Sometimes, though, it felt as though all she’d done was close the shutters to a window behind which a storm raged. The water still seeped in and rotted the wood. “What are you here for then? To expose my crimes? To confront me? It couldn’t wait until tonight?”

Later, her family would send her off with a formal dinner. Her mother and father would praise her – yes, she was worth something to them now. She’d been both looking forward to and dreading the event. The praise would be empty. She wanted, more than anything, to leave this life behind and to start anew.

“I wanted to warn you. You’ve won a battle, but things won’t be better as the Emperor’s consort.”

It was Nisong’s turn to snort. “They couldn’t possibly be worse.”

Wailun only regarded her, her expression solemn. “I know what you’re capable of. I know that you’re more competent than others think you are. But Shiyen has lived his whole life knowing who he is and who he is meant to be. He has been taught and groomed and tested. He won’t see you as a consort; he will see you as an asset, but one less than what he should have received.”

Nisong lifted her chin and pressed her lips together. “I am not less. I will show him.”

Before she could react, Wailun glanced about and then enveloped her in a hug. “Just be careful.” She drew away and retreated up the stairs.