Of course. Mistress Azami, the proud, flint-eyed dog demon who’d been the first of their allies within the palace to make herself known to her. She’d told Wren she would do everything in her power to help her—and here was her final gift, delivering Lei safely to her at the cost of her own life.
It was Lei’s turn to squeeze Wren’s fingers. “I’m so sorry. She was an amazing woman. She did so much for all of us, put herself at risk every day. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her.”
There was a crack in her voice, and Wren knew it had to do with more than Mistress Azami. She asked quietly, “Chenna…?”
Lei shook her head.
Wren forced down her dismay, holding back the heat that rushed her eyes. She’d suspected as much, but some tiny part of her hoped Chenna had only gotten held back during the escape and their allies would hide her until they came to liberate the palace.
“I’m so sorry,” Wren said. “Chenna was wonderful—”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Lei interjected, and Wren nodded, understanding.
There were so many things she couldn’t bear the thought of discussing yet, either.
Though Wren remained alert for soldiers, they reached the edge of the forest without incident. The sun was rising, a dome of gold on the horizon across the arid plains that stretched beyond the ivory-green rows of bamboo.
Wren felt Lei tense at the sound of hooves.
“Our horses,” she said, and then the large forms of Eve and Panda emerged from the trees to their left, led by Khuen, Samira, and Merrin.
Wren introduced everyone. She could tell Blue, Zhen, and Zhin were uncomfortable in the presence of so many demons, and they looked dazed still, smeared in blood, their pretty robes torn. Wren hated to think what they’d been through to get that way.
“Any guards?” Lova asked the others.
“Not on the ground,” Khuen replied.
“A few of the Tsume are circling,” Samira said. Like most bird demons, her voice was scratchy, but it had a pretty, musical timbre to it. “Want us to take care of them?”
Wren shook her head. “It’ll only draw more attention. I’ll hide us.”
Lova’s eyes searched her. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” When Wren shot her a sharp look, she lifted her hands. “Just saying. The last time you used magic you almost mowed us down. I’d prefer to stay un-mowed, thank you.”
“What is she talking about?” Lei asked.
“I’m fine,” Wren said, cupping her shoulder.
“So we’re sticking to Ketai’s plan?” Nitta, too, was giving Wren a penetrating look. “You still want to join them before the attack?”
“We’ll need somewhere safe to stay, and to leave Aoki and the other girls.”
“Wh-what do you mean, leave?” Zhin asked, her thin voice tremulous. “What attack?”
“Come on, Zhin,” Blue said. “You can’t be so dense.”
As her sister opened her mouth to argue, Lova spoke over her. “We’ll explain once we reach the camp. I’d rather not hang about here too long. This place gives me the creeps.”
“Hang on,” Kenzo said. “You never told us why you’re here. It wasn’t part of the plan, and if my timings are correct, you’re a day early. Why aren’t you with the others?”
“We’ll explain later,” Wren said, giving him a pointed glance.
“Going to be a lot of that, is there?” Blue remarked archly.
“Catch on quick, don’t you, little one,” Lova returned.
Blue’s voice rose. “Excuse me—”
Lova moved fast, a hand clapping over Blue’s mouth at the sound of wingbeats. Moments later, a shadow flew overhead. The bird demon turned in a slow, watchful arc, before moving away.
They waited until they were certain it was gone before organizing the group into those who’d ride the horses to the camp and those to be flown by Merrin and Samira. The busyness diffused the tension, though as Wren helped Blue mount Eve, the girl was still glowering daggers at Lova where she was swinging onto Panda’s back. Once everyone was set, all that was left was Wren’s magic.
It was the hardest she’d ever had to work to cast. But she focused on the sensation of Lei’s arms around her waist and dragged it out, even as the effort made her vision swim and her head pound. She couldn’t let up now, no matter how exhausted she felt, how depleted she was from the battle at Marazi and the long ride she’d made to get here. Wren had a responsibility to give every ounce of her energy into being what Lei and the others needed her to be.
A warrior.
A leader.
A Xia.
A Hanno.
If there was one thing Wren did well, it was honor her duties. And now Lei was back by her side, an honor all of her own.
Wren’s resolve carried her through the effort of holding on to the enchantment as they crossed the plains. It underpinned her focus when they reached the war-camp where some Hanno clan members and shamans were waiting, having come ahead of the others to prepare for their arrival. It helped her grind out yet more magic so she could work healing daos into Aoki’s fragile body under Lei and the Paper Girls’ anxious gazes.
Lei was here, and Wren would never let her down ever again.
It was past nightfall, almost a full day after they’d arrived, by the time the camp had properly taken shape. The site hummed with an anticipatory atmosphere as orders were followed, dinner was cooked and dished out in banana-leaf bundles, and guards rotated lookout duty.
Having finally finished with her duties, Wren found Lei sitting with Nitta by a stack of boxes on the edge of the camp. They were looking out across the barren plains to the Hidden Palace. Even at this distance it was imposing, a black blot on the horizon nestled in a vast ring of green.
The night was clear, moonlight spilling down—the same light that gleamed off the horrid walls of the palace painted Lei’s skin so beautifully. Wren had to stop herself from grabbing her right there and kissing all the places the silver touched. Lei had washed and changed from her ruined clothes. She was dressed in a simple cotton baju set in Hanno blue.
“Dessert?” Wren offered, coming to sit by her.
Lei raised her eyebrows. “You have to ask?”
“That is one word,” Nitta said, reaching to grab one of the leaf-wrapped bundles Wren had brought, “that need never be followed by a question mark. Goes for anything edible, really. And naps.” She smiled with glee when she found little jewel-colored diamond-shaped sweets within the leaf. “Kuih! I haven’t had these in ages. Isn’t this your province’s specialty?” She directed the last part at Lei through a mouthful of the sweets.
“They are.” Lei smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Wren was still holding some out to her. “I asked for them to be prepared especially. Just in case.”
Just in case you were still alive.
Just in case you were here to try them.
Just in case I wasn’t too late.
The silence rang with the awful possibilities. Luckily Nitta was chomping away, her happy eating sounds softening the atmosphere. Wren was about to put down the banana-leaf parcels when Lei touched her wrist.
“Thank you,” she said.
“I love you,” Wren replied.
It came out as easily as breathing. Without thought, or even intention.