Soldiers helped her mount. Then Prince Liang Jian swung up behind her with easy grace, his arms coming around her to grip the reins.
Soyeon's entire body went rigid.
She could feel every inch of him behind her. His chest against her back. His thighs bracketing hers. The heat of his body seeping through the layers of silk.
"Relax," he murmured near her ear. His breath tickled her neck. "If you're tense, you'll fall."
"I'm trying—"
"Try harder." His arms tightened slightly, pulling her back against him. "I'll keep a very close watch on you."
His voice was low and promising.
Soyeon swallowed hard.
Then they were off.
~
The ride took hours. By the time they stopped to make camp, Soyeon's legs were jelly and her entire body ached. But worse than the physical discomfort was the awareness that had tormented her the entire journey.
Every shift of his body. Every breath against her neck. The occasional rumble of his voice when he gave orders to his men.
It was torture.
They set up camp in a clearing surrounded by dense forest. Soldiers moved swiftly, erecting tents, starting fires. Someone brought Soyeon to a small tent near the center of camp.
"You'll wait here," Prince Liang Jian said. "Guards will be posted outside. Don't leave for any reason."
"Where are you going?"
"To eliminate the Xiongnu camp." He checked his weapons. "We'll return before dawn."
"Be careful." The words slipped out before she could stop them.
He paused, glancing back at her. His expression shifted, the hardness loosening into something calmer
"I will."
Then he was gone, melting into the darkness with his soldiers.
Soyeon sat in the tent, surrounded by guards, her heart pounding with worry she had no right to feel.
~
Time passed. An hour. Two. Three.
Soyeon tried to sleep but couldn't. Every sound made her jump. What if something happened to them?
Footsteps.
She tensed.
More footsteps. Running. The sound of steel on steel. Fighting.
"Argh!"
A guard's scream, cut short.
Soyeon felt her blood freeze. She rushed for the tent's opening, only to fall motionless the moment she reached it.
Bodies. The guards who had been posted outside lay crumpled on the ground, blood pooling beneath them in the firelight.
Three men stood in the clearing, dressed in dark clothes, swords drawn and dripping red.
One of them saw her, and his smile was cruel.
"Well, well. What do we have here?"
Soyeon stumbled backward, but they advanced.
"Stay right there, girl. We're not going to hurt you. Much." The leader laughed. "You'll serve well as Young Master's new concubine. He likes exotic things."
Young Master? Who were they talking about?
"No—" Soyeon turned to run.
One of them grabbed her arm, yanking her back. She screamed, fighting, kicking.
"Foolish wench."
A hand raised to strike her, and at that exact moment, the night exploded.
From the trees, a black horse tore into view, dark as a passing shadow. Upon its back rode Prince Liang Jian, his face carved in cold fury.
His sword flashed once, twice, three times.
The men didn't stand a chance.
Blood sprayed. Bodies fell. It was over in seconds, filling Soyeon with crippling terror.
Some of the blood splattered across Soyeon's face and robes.
She screamed, stumbling backward, her mind breaking.
Blood. So much blood. Dead men at her feet. The smell of iron and death.
"Su Yan—"
She ran blindly into the forest, panic drowning out rational thought.
"Su Yan, stop!"
Heavy footsteps behind her. She ran harder, branches tearing at her clothes, her lungs burning.
Arms caught her.
"No! Let me go! Let me go!"
"Su Yan, calm down—"
"No! No no no!" She fought like a wild animal, terror giving her strength.
"Su Yan!" He grabbed her shoulders, spinning her around. "Calm down!"
She looked up at him through tears. Prince Liang Jian. Blood spattered his face, darkened his armor, but his eyes.… his eyes shone with worry.
"I—I—" Soyeon couldn't form words. She was shaking so hard her teeth chattered.
"Are you hurt?" His hands moved over her, checking for injuries with surprising gentleness. "Did they touch you? Su Yan, answer me!"
"I'm—I'm fine. I just—there was so much blood—"
Hoofbeats. General Wei appeared through the trees, also bloodstained, his expression grim.
"Your Highness. The Xiongnu camp is eliminated. But there were traitors in our own force. Imperial soldiers working with the enemy. We've captured two alive for questioning."
"Good." Prince Liang Jian's voice was hard as stone. "Find out who sent them. I want names."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Soyeon was still shaking. The adrenaline was fading, leaving her hollow and cold. She couldn't stop seeing the bodies, the blood, the cruel smiles.
Without a word, Prince Liang Jian lifted her into his arms.
"Your Highness, I can walk!"
"No, you can't." He carried her back to his horse with easy strength. "We're returning to the palace. Now."
He settled her in front of him again, but this time she didn't resist when he pulled her close. She was too tired, too scared, too overwhelmed.
She felt his chin rest lightly on top of her head.
"You're safe," he murmured. "I won't let anyone hurt you. I promise."