Page 61 of A Forgery of Fate

You will regret that, Lord Elang,it spoke.

The sharks advanced, but Elang didn’t lower his claws. A crystalline sword materialized in his grasp. “And you will regret harming my bride.”

“Don’t,” I said, touching his arm. Still catching my breath, I turned to the remaining jellyfish. “I apologize on behalf of Lord Elang. I have nothing to hide. If there is more you need to see, then examine me further.”

“Let her alone,” Elang growled. “Her mind won’t answer your questions.” He lowered his sword. “Look into mine.”

To my astonishment, the jellyfish brushed past me. Just like that, I was forgotten. Even the sharks backed away and left me alone.

The jellyfish approached Elang, their tentacles swaying forward. They beset him, burying my view of everything but his face. That was all I needed to see, really. In unison, barbs pierced out of their suckers—and their heads pulsed a bright white light.

Elang’s brow folded, his fangs bared. He made no sound, not even a growl or a grunt, yet I knew he had to be in pain.

Again, the jellyfish pulsed. This time, Elang’s body jerked. The crease on his brow deepened, and his scales paled a shade.

“Stop it,” I cried, trying to weave through the jellyfish.“You’re hurting him.”

The sharks held me at bay, until there came one last pulse. This time Elang curled up in pain, and that was when the jellyfish decided it was enough.

The creatures retreated, retracting their arms as though they were ribbons.

“We have seen enough,” they said. “The marriage is genuine. The terms for Lord Elang’s homecoming have beenmet.”

I swam up to him, grabbing him by the arm.What did you say to them?I wanted to ask. But instead, I said, “Are you all right?”

To my relief, there were no puncture wounds on his skin or on his scales. His eyes were half-open, his brow still pinched, and his scales were turning blue again.

“Are you all right?” I repeated.

Elang’s claws closed at his sides, tight as flytraps. His eyes opened fully, and I could see the liquid yellow on his human half swirling back to its usual smolder, the dragon half’s cinder black. In a burst, he straightened.

“We’re finished here,” he told the jellyfish. “You may tell His Majesty that the test is met, I am returned home.”

You can tell him yourself.

An invisible current sent me reeling back, and as I regained my balance, the water churned, conjuring a colossal projection of a dragon.

King Nazayun.

“Welcome home, Elangui,” he rumbled. “And welcome to Ai’long, Truyan Saigas.”

At my side, Elang went tense. He bowed, and I had the sense to do the same.

“Your Eternal Majesty,” he said, “we are honored by your visit.”

“And you, Bride of the Westerly Seas?” the Dragon King asked. Even as a projection, his gaze was petrifying. “Have you come here of your own will?”

Collect yourself, Tru,I thought.Chin up, shoulders squared. Spine against an imaginary stalk of bamboo.

The act was on. I could pretend to be a dragon princess. I could pretend to be in love with Elang.

I reached for his hand, surprised I found it right away.

“Yes, I have.” I shook my sleeve aside so Nazayun could see the red string around my wrist. “Before the gods, our fates have been tied. It is I who will break his curse.”

It felt rather melodramatic to make such a declaration, so I punctuated my words by leaning on Elang’s shoulder.

I could feel his muscles tensing with discomfort, so I only leaned harder.

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