"How do I call you?" Shuyin asked instead, changing tack. "What's your name? I can't just keep thinking of you as 'the jade-haired girl' in my head."
The girl straightened, pressing her fist to her heart in that formal gesture again.
"My name is Yu Shou, my Queen," she said, bowing her head respectfully.
"All right, all right..." Shuyin waved her hand quickly, uncomfortable with the formality. "Don't bow. And don't call me Queen. Not yet. Not until I understand what's actually happening here."
She gestured between them.
"Just call me Shuyin. It's better that way. Less... overwhelming."
Yu Shou hesitated, clearly torn between obedience and protocol, then nodded slowly. "As you wish... Shuyin."
The name came out careful, deliberate, as if she were handling something precious and breakable.
Lu Yuze, who'd been standing silently near the door this entire time, watching, processing, calculating, finally spoke.
