Page 56 of A Forgery of Fate

I meant to disagree, but then he faced me, his yellow eye glinting even in the absence of direct light. The way it turned gold was unnerving, and despite my intention, I still flinched.

Proving his point.

“Can’t you take a potion like you give the merfolk?” I pressed.

“Potions have limited effect against my curse. Why do you ask?”

Why? I supposed because I’d worn masks of my own. Not literal ones—but wigs for my blue hair and powders to shade my complexion and eyes so I’d look more A’landan. It did wonders for changing how people saw me, and I hated it.

“No reason,” I lied. “Will you wear the mask in Ai’long?”

“Everyone in Ai’long knows what I look like,” said Elang.

“Listen,” he spoke again, changing the subject. “This will be the only time we have alone before we depart. Our entrance into the dragon realm is important. My subjects will be there to greet us, a few emissaries that the Dragon King has sent as well. They will be watching us.”

I nodded, understanding. “You want us to look fond of each other.”

“That’d be helpful.” He hesitated. “I warn you, my grandfather’s emissaries will be unfriendly.”

“More unfriendly than you?”

He glared. “If you value your life, say nothing about being a painter, and nothing about your visions.”

“Noted.” I crossed my arms. “I’ve been warned.”

He made a grunt. “One last thing. From this point forward, if I show you kindness or favor, it means nothing. If I give you a gift, or bestow upon you praise, it means nothing. Everything is for appearances only, and should you occupy a place in my thoughts, it is only to facilitate the mission we have agreed upon. I shall expect this to be the same fromyou.”

I thought of the way he’d smiled at me during our wedding, how his eyes had gone unaccountably soft and he’d held my arm during the procession afterward. I’d be delusional to think it’d been anything more than an act, but somehow it stung just the same. I tossed my veil behind my back. “Don’t worry, I’ll be counting down the days until this is over.”

“One month, in Ai’long’s time.”

“One month,” I echoed.

It occurred to me then that the success of our arrangementwas just as vital to him as it was to me. Elang had plenty at stake: servants who relied on him, the future of his kingdom, and—obviously—his own life.

Realizing this didn’t make me like him more or feel better about what we had to do, but at least we had an understanding. We were two people forced together. By fate, by ill luck, by choice, it didn’t matter.

The procession was over, and the carriage rounded back toward Elang’s manor.

We didn’t say a word to each other the rest of the ride.

Chapter Fifteen

It was still raining when the carriage trundled onto an unmarked path, past a copse of pine trees into a mossy part of Elang’s garden I’d never seen before. We stopped before a quay of tall reeds, where a pale yellow boat awaited. It was a narrow vessel, barely big enough for two, and it tilted under my weight as I boarded.

“Take this,” said Elang, giving me the umbrella again.

I didn’t argue. I’d been anxious all day for what was soon to come. The moment I’d leave everyone and everything I’d ever known behind—for the realm of dragons.

Some part of me had hoped that my family might be here for one last farewell, but the garden was empty. No merfolk, no turtles, no fish in the pond. Only Shani had come, keeping a vigilant distance from the boat.

I dipped under the umbrella as Elang rowed. Rain drummed the pond, making the water glitter. A splendorous sight, but I was more focused on what lay beneath.

It was impossible to gauge how deep the pond was, yet therecouldn’tbe an entire kingdom under Elang’s garden. Could there?

Then I saw it. A speck of violet light at the center of the pond, glowing with a burning intensity. I breathed, unable to contain my excitement. “Elang, is that…is that Ai’long?”

Elang set aside his oars. “It’s close,” he replied. “The light represents the edge of the mortal realm. Beyond is Ai’long.”

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