The merfolk pressed on, eagerly now, as our soldiers scattered like windblown leaves. Wenzhi was shaking, I had never seen him look so distraught—so anxious, furious, and frustrated.
“Go,” I urged him. “You don’t need to stay with us. I’ll watch over Prince Yanming.”
He stilled, his eyes fixed upon the carnage. “What will you do?”
“I’ll stay in the tent. It will be safe there.”
Without waiting for his answer, I stalked away with Prince Yanming. Several soldiers waited inside the tent to escort him to safety. But when they tried to take him from me, he clutched me tighter.
“Aren’t you coming?” His voice shook.
I brushed his cheek with my knuckle. “Your Highness needs to leave now. Your brother is waiting for you. I’ll join you soon.”
“Do you promise?”
A heartbeat of hesitation before I nodded. I hated lying to him, but if the governor found this place deserted, he might leave before we could apprehend him. Every moment I bought with this farce increased our chance of capturing him.
My heart thudded as I watched Prince Yanming and the soldiers slip through the back of the tent, disappearing into the safety of the forest. Only then did a little of my tension ease. I sat down to wait, agitated at doing nothing while outside, blood soaked the sand. We had hoped to trap Governor Renyu, but he had caught us unaware by the ferocity of his attack and the sea monsters under his command.
Tossing off my sodden coat, I pulled out a bow and quiver, placing them on the table within reach. Part of me wanted to clap my palms over my ears to drown the clash of steel, the screams, and groans. How much longer could I bear this? When a loud cry pierced the air, I dashed to the entrance—stumbling to a stop as the silhouette of a limp form slumped against the tent walls.
The flap lifted. A figure loomed in the entrance. I took a step back, my body stiff with anxiety.
“You must be Lady Anmei.” Governor Renyu greeted me with a mockingly low bow. “Rumors of your charms were not exaggerated.”
His aura filled the air, pressing around me in the confined space; strong, to be sure, yet wavering as an inconstant tide. Was his grip on his power unsteady? I had no time to ponder as he entered, towering above me, the parts of his body I could see corded with muscle. His cold stare sent a shudder through me as did the cruel slant of his mouth and the blood sprayed across his cheek.
I darted for the bow on the table, but he swept it out of my reach and tossed it outside with a bark of laughter. “Do you know how to use it?”
I shook my head, shrinking away as my fingers inched toward the concealed dagger. If I had the bow, there would already be an arrow through his chest. But as he had the advantage for now, I would not drop my disguise. As long as he believed I was Lady Anmei, he might not harm me.
“Who are you?” I asked, trying to draw his attention from my hands.
“You have nothing to fear. All I want is the little prince. Help me and you will be well rewarded.” His gaze slid across the tent. “Where is he?”
His voice was rich, deep, melodious—the most beautiful one I had ever heard. My suspicion of him melted away, replaced by warm admiration. Governor Renyu appeared honorable and kind. Why had he been so viciously maligned? The disc around his neck gleamed brighter, like the eyes of a serpent aglow in the dark.
The image jarred me, my instincts prickling in warning. I blinked, tearing myself from the tantalizing promise of his words, forcing myself to listen to the screams outside. In a flash, it struck me—how he held such sway over the merfolk. There was magic in his voice which compelled others to believe him. Had it come from the shining pendant around his neck? Whatever it was, it had almost worked on me, even overcoming my hostility. Little wonder that the merfolk were so loyal to him, willing to risk themselves to protect him, to fight for him on the mere promise of his words and illusion of his honor. I had never encountered such power before, though. Was he a Demon? One of the dreaded Mind Talents?
I dared not let my fear show. He expected my admiration, my obedience. That I would yield to his will as a blade of grass to the wind. Widening my eyes to appear guileless, I gestured to the bed where Prince Yanming had napped earlier. The covers were bunched up over the top, giving the semblance of a small body beneath.
“He’s sleeping,” I said.
His mouth curved into a vicious smile. “Once the Eastern Sea is mine, I’ll dispose of the brat and we’ll rule together. The other kingdoms will fall to me, too, and you’ll be the Queen of the Four Seas.” He stretched out his hand, promising what he believed I wished to hear.