The Night Ends with Fire

I needed to prove that I, as a woman, could be better than the rest of them. That I too could belong. That I too could be free.

My hunger roused me. In the depths of the sea, I drew upon my greed, my insatiable ambition. I cried out to my shadow self, my truest self, and reached for her through her iron imprisonment. I understood now why I was called a perversion. It was unnatural for a woman to have this kind of ambition, and yet I existed. My existence was my birthright, and it would be my justification.

I spat at his words. The idea that his victory meant nothing to him only further enraged me. Perhaps because it came at such great cost to my future. Perhaps because my own life meant everything to me.

The truth was, I could not bear to think of my future, as uncertain as it was. If it was wretched, I did not wish to know. And if it was sweet, how much more painful to have it stolen from me?

Because it was depravity, for a woman to desire more than her lot in life. To aspire to more than safety, protection. To aspire to power.

If you want to put a target on your back, make sure you're strong enough to carry the target first.

I'm not a good person, Meilin," he said. "But the difference between me and your little Anlai hero-I've never pretended otherwise.

She swallowed hard. 'They would never let a woman hold on to power.

I knew red was your color," he said. "Your beauty rivals the moon, fair Meilin.

His lip curled. “Your emotions are getting the better of you.” And now my temper blazed brilliant and searing, hot enough to match his. “Oh, so now that I’m a woman everything I say is due to my emotions?

They say a girl with an ill-fated mother is doomed to follow in her footsteps.

I tried to ignore the visceral discomfort that Rose at the dragon's words. For these were qualities I desired in myself. Xiuying was benevolent and tender-hearted. Sky was noble and kind. These were traits I tried to mimic, strengths I knew that Heroes of every Legend possessed. But who was I diluting? I was not the hero of this story.

Women and children are like garments, but brothers are like limbs. If you lose a piece of clothing, you can get another. But if you lose a limb, you'll always feel its lost.

I was not my mother nor my father. I was more than the inheritance they had left me.

Unexpectedly, tears pricked my eyes. I had cried many times for the mother I’d lost, stolen by death. But now I cried for the mother I’d never known—not the empty shell of a woman bound to my father, but the reckless, foolhardy girl she’d been before that, years ago. I cried for her. I cried for the inheritance she’d left me.

This was going to be me. I would flee Father only to fall under another master. And even if I were to bear him a healthy son and earn my status in this household, even if Master Zhu were to pass away, that son would one day grow up to be a man, and then he too would command me.

She too would one day speak with the matchmaker, and the same fate would fall upon her. The thought sent despair coiling in my gut. No wonder Anlai mothers tried so hard not to love their daughters. It was like exiling a piece of your own heart.

I understood now why I was called a perversion. It was unnatural for a woman to have this kind of ambition, and yet I existed. My existence was my birthright, and it would be my justification.

It is not justice," Sky spit out. "It is your undue privilege as prince, to not experience the consequences of your own actions." Lei smirked. "I'm sure you don't relate.

I recalled what Sky had taught me and ran at a zigzag, darting from left to right as I made for the river.

I nodded. Most children knew of the fabled dragon, phoenix, tiger, and tortoise, who controlled the four directions and winds.

You’re not missing out on much, I’ll tell you that,” he said. “Anlai is the most beautiful place in the world.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “With the most beautiful women.” Was he . . . flirting with me?

Thank you for coming all this way, Madame Shu,” said Xiuying, before pouring oolong tea for the matchmaker. Madame Shu’s eyes were shrewd, calculating. “It’s a busy season for weddings, and I won’t waste time on small talk. Let’s get to business,” she said, in a brusque tone I hadn’t heard many women use before. “The state of your home astounds even me. And I hear all the rumors.