“I don’t know what to make of a gift like this,” she said, finally. “But thank you.”

“This,” he said, taking her hand and kissing it. “This is what to make of it.”

They walked away from the marquee, as far away as possible from its glaring artificial lights. He pulled her under the shadows of a tall maple. When he held her close, his heart was beating as rapidly as hers. This time he kissed her on the lips, and her arms tightened around his shoulders, felt his muscles tense in response.

Then she pulled away from him. “The front of my pinafore is wet,” she said in dismay. “And now so is your shirt.” Shao laughed and she looked at him, searching his face.

“There’s something different,” she said. “Have you stopped drinking?”

“I don’t know what it is,” he said. Even his voice was different. Joyous. “I do feel different. Perhaps I’m doing better at putting away grief over my mother and Sparrow.”

“You seem happier,” she said. More alive, she wanted to say.

“It’s as though a veil has been lifted from my mind and my heart,” Shao said. “My feelings aren’t muddled or muted anymore. Lian, I was confused before. But I can’t pretend you’re just a friend anymore.”

She closed her eyes, allowing her other senses to recognize him. The scent of his skin, its slightly salty taste. The lean strength of his arms. She moved her hand to his chest, felt the quickening beat of his heart, heard the soft impatience of his breath against her neck. And then his lips were against hers again.

If not for my presence here on Earth, he would’ve recognized his feelings long ago.

I can wait for him. I have the advantage of eternity. You only have this life. You will know when I am gone.

Lian rested her head on his shoulder, contented. Comforted.

“My mother will be wondering where I am,” she murmured, but without any conviction. In reply, Shao lifted her face to his and kissed her again, his lips lingering on hers before kissing her throat.

They stood quietly under the maple, arms around each other, until the auctioneer’s calls ceased and they could see people in evening dress emerge from the marquee. Taking his hand, Lian led Shao across the lawn toward the orphanage, to her family. Dr. Mao and her mother came out to stand on the veranda, the doctor carrying Duckling in his arms, the little girl now asleep.

It was a clear night, all threat of rain had passed. Lian’s eyes moved across the sky, searching until she found the Purple Forbidden Enclosure constellation and inside it, a cluster of stars, the Four Maids-in-Waiting.

She lifted her hand in greeting.

Author’s Notes