The cold metal pressed against her skin. Not cutting, but there. A reminder of how easily he could end her life.
"Like I said, you're either very brave," he whispered, "or very stupid."
Though her heartbeat trembled like a startled drum, Soyeon steadied herself, lifting her chin to meet his eyes.
"I don't care."
His expression flickered. Confusion. Surprise.
"What?"
"I don't care if you kill me for speaking the truth." Her voice shook but held steady. "You're not just a bastard or a second choice. Nobody should be reduced to that. You're—" She swallowed against the knife. "You're worth something."
For a long moment, he just stared at her.
Then, slowly, he lowered the knife.
"You're even crazier than I thought," he said quietly.
He stepped back, sheathing the knife. The cold mask slipped back into place, perfectly still, though in his eyes a quiet change rippled through the darkness.
"Prepare yourself," he said. "You'll be accompanying me today."
"Accompanying you where?"
"There's a Xiongnu war camp twenty li north. They've been raiding supply caravans. I'm leading a strike force to eliminate them." His eyes held hers. "And I need my physician nearby."
"That's—" Soyeon's mind reeled. "That's a battle. That's dangerous."
"Nothing will happen to you. You'll stay at the rear camp with guards."
"But—"
"That wasn't a request." He turned to leave, then paused. "And Su Yan? Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being stupid enough to care."
He left before she could respond.
Soyeon sat frozen, her hand touching her throat where the knife had been, her heart still racing.
Teacher Wan rushed back in, her face white with terror. "Lady Su! Do you want to get killed? You cannot speak to His Highness that way! He could have—"
"I know." Soyeon's hands were shaking. "I'm sorry. I just—I couldn't stop myself."
"You must learn control!" The old woman grabbed her shoulders. "I know you're foreign, I know you don't understand our ways, but this is life and death! One wrong word to the wrong person and—" She made a cutting gesture across her throat.
"I understand. I'll be more careful."
"Will you?" Teacher Wan looked doubtful. But her expression softened. "Come. We need to prepare you for travel. His Highness doesn't make idle commands."
Two hours later, Soyeon stood in the main courtyard of the Cold Moon Palace, dressed in practical travel robe, still silk, still expensive, but less elaborate. Servants had packed supplies she didn't understand, medicines, bandages, strange herbs.
Horses were being prepared. Soldiers in black and silver armor assembled in formation. This was really happening. She was going to a war camp.
"Su Yan."
She turned.
Prince Zhao Yifeng approached, dressed in elaborate armor of red and gold, looking every inch the Crown Prince. Behind him, several paces back, walked a woman who made Soyeon's blood run cold.
The Empress Dowager.
She seemed to be in her sixties or seventies, carrying a stern kind of beauty, with keen eyes and a mouth set in a firm, unwavering line. Her robes were so encrusted with embroidery and jewels that she seemed to glitter. But it was her expression that made Soyeon want to run, cold, and filled with such venom when she looked at Soyeon that it felt physical.
The Empress Dowager's gaze raked over her, then dismissed her like an insect.
She swept past without a word, climbing into an elaborate palanquin.
"Don't mind her," Prince Zhao Yifeng said cheerfully, though his eyes were watchful. "She isn't fond of.…surprises."
"She hates me," Soyeon said.
"She hates everyone except me. And even that's conditional." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Must you go with my brother?"
"Your father commanded it."
"I could ask Father Emperor to reconsider. You would be safer in the Jade Phoenix Palace. Under my protection."
His voice was strangely filled with an emotion Soyeon tried to name. Was it possessiveness? Was it mere concern?
"His Highness the Second Prince needs a physician," Soyeon said carefully.
"My brother has survived worse without one." Prince Zhao Yifeng stepped closer, taking her hand. Before she could react, he lifted it to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
Soyeon's face went hot. "Your Highness!"
"For luck," he said with a wink. "Come back safely, Su Yan. I still intend to change your mind about my harem."
"Your Highness—"
"Yifeng." His voice dropped lower. "When we're alone, call me Yifeng."
"We're not alone—"
"Brother."
Prince Liang Jian's voice put an end it.
He stood beside his horse, dressed in black armor. His expression was thunderous.
"We're leaving. Stop flirting with my physician."
"Your physician?" A faint shift touched Prince Zhao Yifeng's smile, turning it keen beneath the calm. "I see we're getting bold."
"She's under my protection."
"And I'm concerned for her safety."
"Then trust me to keep her safe."
The two princes stared at each other. The air between them quivered faintly, as if touched by a wind no one could see.
Soyeon looked between them, her mind racing. Are they... fighting over me? No. No way. This is about politics. Territory. Not me. Right.
Prince Zhao Yifeng broke first, stepping back with a laugh. "Very well, brother. I trust you'll take excellent care of her." His eyes found Soyeon's. "Until we meet again."
He left, his retinue following.
Prince Liang Jian approached Soyeon, his face blank. "You'll ride with me."
"What? I can—"
"You can't ride. Don't lie." He gestured to his horse, a massive black stallion that looked like it could kill her with one kick. "Up."
"I can ride with one of the—"
"With me." His voice brooked no argument.