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We stare at each other in silence—I could drown in the depths of his gaze, this dangerous sense of rightness at being with him again. But fury stirs, tangled with resentment, and when I push against him, he lets go.

His head slants back. “Are you still angry with me? After these weeks—”

“If you imagined my anger faded so easily, then you don’t know me at all.” I fold my arms across my chest, my expression stony. “Your ‘messenger’ interrupted an important gathering where an Elder was present. The firefly was recognized as one of your creatures, my family cast under suspicion.”

Jin’s eyes darken. As he whistles, the firefly darts toward us, landing on his knuckles. “You were careless, little one,” he chides the creature, though his tone is gentle. He bends as though listening to the firefly, then turns to me. “He apologizes. He was searching for you, and in his excitement forgot to dim his light.”

“You understand what he says?” I ask.

“I understand most creatures in Thorn Valley, an ability of my bloodline.” His brow creases. “Except for those corrupted by the decay. It’s been spreading beyond the plants, even reaching the animals, distorting their nature.”

I sit down in the boat, straightening my skirt, pretending not to care. “Is this why you summoned me?”

“How cold and unwilling you sound, Yining,” he drawls.

“Did you expect anything else?” I toss back. “I’m here to fulfill my obligation to you, nothing more. But if you risk my family again—our deal is ended.” My hands clench over my knees as I quell the impulse to stare at the striking planes of his face. “How can I be of service, Lord Jin-Yong?”

“Obligation? Service?” He sounds stung, the muscles along his arms straining as he thrusts the oars into the water. “You speak with such hostility. Aren’t you glad to see me? Don’t you trust me?”

Gone is the light in his eyes from when he first saw me. I’ve erected a wall between us to prevent him from using me as Dian warned—to avoid dividing my loyalties, being forced to choose. Now, I have more to lose.

“I trusted you until you forced a promise from me when I had little choice. You endanger my safety by making me come to you. What if the Elders catch me going to Thorn Valley? Would you care?”

“Of course I would,” he grinds out. “I spent weeks devising a way to bring you safely from the place you call home, one fortified like a prison. I endeavor to keep you safe. If anyone harms you—Elder or not—they will pay.”

My heart constricts, but I conceal it. “Do you care about me or what I can do for you? Are you even capable of setting aside self-interest?”

“My people’s well-being is not ‘self-interest.’ Whatever you think, I’m not the one using innocents as pawns.” His furious gaze pierces me. “You’ve changed since returning home, Yining. In these few weeks, you’ve inherited a good dose of Mist Island’s prejudices and their callousness for lives beyond their island.”

My face burns as I swallow my insults, pasting on a blank smile. Curses won’t aggravate Jin the way indifference will. “My time at home has been most illuminating. I’ve been warmly welcomed by my father, my people, even the Elders. I have made many friends,” I add with a flash of pettiness.

He drops the oars into the boat, leaning toward me. “Did you kiss all of them too? Or just the Prince of the Iron Mountains?”

My hand flies up to slap him, but he catches my wrist. His eyes blaze molten gold as rage throbs through me—heat igniting as his body slants to mine, the urge to push him away colliding with the yearning to yank him closer.

“Are you still jealous about that?” I tilt my head to his recklessly, wanting to force a crack in his façade, to break him first.

A wicked smile stretches across his lips. “Not a day goes by that I’m not tempted to thrust a knife into the prince’s heart for it.”

My throat goes dry. Instead of revulsion, a dark satisfaction clasps me. “You’ve lost your mind, Lord Jin-Yong.”

“Only with you.” He releases me abruptly, his gaze sliding from my face to my clothes. “You look well.”

“As do you,” I say grudgingly. The hue of his eyes seems richer, his skin tanned like he’s spent more time outdoors since returning home. Silver embroidery gleams from his black robe, fastened with a leather belt, more formal than his usual attire.

He picks up the oars once more. “I am glad you’ve been warmly welcomed home, Yining. You deserve no less.”

At the firefly loops around us, I ask, “Was there no other way for me to leave?”

“Not unless you’ve learned to summon the lotuses. The waters around your island are treacherous and closely guarded. A larger creature would be detected.”

The boat glides seamlessly as Jin rows without pause. His eyes narrow as he searches the night, his features glazed by moonlight. I thought him handsome the first time we met—and now, even more annoyingly so.

“Since you are a lord here, why not bring someone to help you row?” I’m seeking fault, my anger unquenched. My tone implying that I don’t enjoy being alone with him.

“Unlike you, I’m here because I want to be,” he replies.

“Why don’t you tell me what you need of me?”