Page 68 of A Forgery of Fate

“The drowning isn’t what will kill you. Don’t forget you’re at the bottom of the sea. Miss a dose of sangi, and the weight of these waters will come crushing down until you’re naught but bubbles and foam.”

Goose bumps bristled across my skin, and not just from the cold. “On second thought, I appreciate your punctuality, Mailoh.”

Mailoh huffed a laugh. “You’re funny, Lady Saigas. No wonder Lord Elang loves you so.”

“If he loved me, he’d find a way to make sangi taste better.”

“Cheer up, I brought cake. You might find it goes down easier with something sweet.”

I instantly perked as she lifted the lid of a bamboo steamer. “Thousand-layer cake,” said Mailoh. “It’s one of Kunkoi’s specialties. He doesn’t get to make it often since Lord Elang doesn’t like sweets, and, well, we don’t get many human visitors.”

“You don’t eat cake?”

“Our diet is mostly fish and algae,” said Mailoh. She gave a small smile. “Sometimes jellyfish, when we’re lucky. You’d better drink, you only have a few minutes left.”

I’d been skeptical that anything could wash away the foul taste of sangi, but this cake proved me wrong. The salted egg custard was sweet yet savory and coated my tongue in a sumptuous cream. I let out a happy sigh. “I might actually look forward to these morning rituals. Is Kunkoi looking to take on an apprentice?”

Mailoh looked scandalized. “You’re the lady of the castle—you’re not to cook.”

“It seems everyone in the castle has multiple roles. I can paint murals on the empty walls and make cakes. Noodles too. I’ve always wanted to be better at making noodles.” I winked at her. “I could make jellyfish noodles for you.”

“We’ll see,” said Mailoh, amusement brightening her round eyes. She sent my tray sailing away, and I set down my book, letting myself float off the mattress. “Now, for your tour. Where would you like to see first? Don’t say the kitchen. I will not abide the lady of the castle toiling away, especially on her very first day.”

I tucked a brush into my sleeve, in case I needed to take notes. “Show me all the secret passageways. I want to see the dungeons, the treasury, and especially where Elang hides all his expensive art.”

Mailoh chuckled. “You’ve been reading about Jinsang Palace. Our little castle is not quite so grand. There are no hidden passageways that I’m aware of, though Lord Elang does store his tea collection behind the most unsightly tapestry of the Floating Mountains. That’s the closest that I can think of to a secret room. And a treasury.”

I wrinkled my nose. “A treasury of dried leaves and tin cans?”

“Yes, mostly. It’s where Lord Elang keeps the valuables heacquires from his trips to land. Tea is his main conquest. Last I checked there were also a few old maps.”

“What about art?” I suggested. “There must be a gallery somewhere.”

“Lord Elang doesn’t collect art.”

“But in Gangsun, he had so many…”

Was it my imagination, or did Mailoh suddenly tense? “The only paintings he loves are yours, Lady Saigas,” she assured me. She wrapped a shawl around my shoulders. “You’ll have to fill our barren halls with your works.”

I frowned, but I let it go. She probably knew about my background as a forger. “Let’s start off with the barracks, then. Elang mentioned that side of the castle was off-limits.”

“As it should be! The entire wing is still damaged from the last storm. Don’t look so disappointed—you look as though youwantLord Elang to be keeping secrets from you.” With a laugh, Mailoh glanced up at the crimson stripes staining the afternoon. “Perhaps we can squeeze in a visit to the garden before the seas turn too rough. An old turtle like me is always worrying about the weather.”

“There’s a garden?” I couldn’t imagine anything growing in this wasteland.

“Yes, many! They used to be Yonsar’s great pride. But now…well, the courtyard is still lovely, and it has walls that are inlaid with gold. Perhaps Shani will know of other treasures.”

“Shani’s coming?”

“She’s always with you,” said Mailoh, reminding me of my ring.

I glanced down at the opal. Elang wanted me to trust the demon, but I barely trusted him.

When Mailoh wasn’t looking, I rotated the ring so the opal faced my palm.

I closed my fist and followed the turtle out.

From outside, the castle had appeared a hidden fortress, a warren of mysterious secrets and treasures. Inside, it reminded me more of a forlorn chest of drawers.

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