Page 44 of A Forgery of Fate

“It has to be me,” I said. “Me, in exchange for three chests of jewels and anything you and Nomi can wish for.”

“Tru—”

“When I come back, we’ll have enough money to build a new life anywhere we want to go. We’ll get Mama out of Gangsun. We’ll look for Baba.”

It was rare that I brought up our old promise to find Baba, and Fal’s shoulders went soft. “It isn’t fair. You nearly died saving us from Yargui, and now this?”

I touched her cheek. “Don’t worry too much. I can see the future, remember? I’ll be fine.”

“Still. I’ve got a bad feeling.”

“What are you girls chattering about in that corner?” called Mama.

“We’re talking about what bad business this all is,” Fal responded promptly, exchanging a glare with Shani. “Tru can see the future. Why should she work alongside a disgraced and exiled prince? She could go to the Dragon King himself.”

Shani’s red eyes glowed with displeasure. “Go ahead. Round up the turtles and shout into the streets while you’re at it. Tell everyone about her visions. Your big mouths will get your sister turned into sea foam.”

“Calm down,” I told the demon. “Fal was only joking.”

“I hope so,” said Shani. “Because I warn you, if any detail of our little proposal leaks…” She made a fearsome hiss. “Ask your friend Puhkan how he’s faring. I promise he barely remembers his name.”

At my sisters’ stricken expressions, Shani cackled and spiraled back into the opal ring.

“No wonder everyone hates demons,” I muttered, twisting the band off my finger. I sealed it inside the lacquered contract box. “At this rate, I might despise Shani more than Elang.”

“There’s no need for such vitriol,” chided Mama. “The demon’s only doing his bidding. And didn’t you hear what she said about Puhkan? We ought to be grateful to her.”

“Grateful?” Fal exclaimed. “Did you not hear her threats to kill us?”

“A good servant looks after their lord’s safety.”

“More like their best interests,” my sister mumbled.

“Speaking of which,” said Mama, turning to me, “I don’t see what there is to dither about. Arranged marriages happen all the time; usually the bride and groom don’t even see each other’s faces! You’re lucky, Truyan, dragons are known to be devastatingly handsome. You might even find you want to stay married—”

“Not a chance,” I cut her off. “He’s a monster, inside andout.”

“He’s aprince—who’s generously offering you a fortune—in exchange for a brief trip to Ai’long.”

I was too tired to argue with her. “I’m going to bed.”

“You’re not going to paint? A vision might help to—”

“Maybe in the morning,” I interrupted again. The truth was, I didn’t need to paint. I’d already made my decision. I’d known since the moment Elang had promised to keep my family safe.

I found my room and lay down on an unfamiliar bed. The silk was cold against my skin. I missed the smell of fish in the air and the windowsill at my feet where I could perch my ankles.

In the darkness, I let myself cry. At first in relief that my family and I were alive. We’d come so terrifyingly close to losing everything, but at least for now, we were safe. Gaari hadn’t been so lucky. As I thought of him my emotions thickened into sorrow, and I whispered a prayer for my old friend.

It was a long time before the sleep spirits claimed me.

Chapter Twelve

The next morning, I found Elang in the garden, tending to those hideous inkblot flowers.

He kept working even as I drew near, nicking off dead blooms with his bare hands and tossing them into the pond.

“What are they called?” I asked in lieu of a morning greeting.

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