The sky was bruised purple with the approach of dawn when the Cold Moon Palace came into view.
Soyeon had fallen asleep against Prince Liang Jian's chest sometime during the ride back, her body finally surrendering to exhaustion. She didn't feel the way his arm had tightened around her waist to keep her secure. Didn't hear the soft command he had given to his men to ride slower, quieter.
The rhythmic thunder of hooves slowed to a walk as they passed through the palace gates.
"Su Yan." His voice was low, almost gentle. "We're back."
She stirred, her eyes fluttering open. For a moment, she was disoriented, the warmth surrounding her, the solid chest at her back, the faint scent of cedar and steel.
Then memory crashed back. The attack. The blood. The bodies.
She jerked upright, and Prince Liang Jian's hands steadied her immediately.
"Easy," he murmured. "You're safe."
The courtyard of the Cold Moon Palace was lit with torches despite the early hour. And standing in the center, dressed in elaborate sleeping robes of red and gold, was Prince Zhao Yifeng.
His expression when he saw them made Soyeon's breath pause.
Gone was the playful, charming Crown Prince. His face was thunderous, his eyes sharp as daggers as they took in the scene, Soyeon cradled against his brother's chest, her robes stained with blood, her face pale and streaked with dried tears.
"What," he said, his voice deceptively soft, "is the meaning of this?"
Prince Liang Jian dismounted gracefully, then reached up to lift Soyeon down. His hands lingered at her waist a moment longer than necessary.
"Royal Brother," he said. "You're awake early."
"I received word there was an attack on your camp." Prince Zhao Yifeng strode forward, his eyes never leaving Soyeon. "Imagine my concern when I heard my brother's physician was involved." He stopped directly in front of them, and his hand shot out to grip Soyeon's chin, tilting her face toward the torchlight.
His eyes darkened at the sight of blood splattered across her cheek, her jaw.
"There is blood on her face." Each word was enunciated with barely controlled fury. "Blood. On her face, Second Brother."
"It's not her blood—" Prince Liang Jian started.
"That's supposed to comfort me?" Prince Zhao Yifeng's voice rose. "You took her to a military operation! You brought her into danger! And you couldn't even—" He stopped himself, jaw clenching. "You couldn't protect her."
The accusation hung in the air like a sword.
Prince Liang Jian's expression went cold. "She is unharmed."
"Unharmed?" Prince Zhao Yifeng gestured at Soyeon's bloodstained robes, her trembling hands. "Look at her! Does she look unharmed to you?"
"The situation was handled—"
"The situation should never have occurred!" The Crown Prince's composure was cracking. "She's a physician, not a soldier! She has no place on a battlefield! What were you thinking?"
"I was following Father Emperor's command," Prince Liang Jian said flatly. "She is my physician. She goes where I go."
"Then perhaps Father Emperor made a mistake."
The words fell like stones into water.
Silence rippled outward. Servants and guards who had gathered to watch tried to make themselves invisible. One did not question the Emperor's decrees. Not even Crown Princes.
Prince Zhao Yifeng seemed to realize what he had said. He took a breath, visibly reining himself in. When he spoke again, his voice was calmer, but no less firm.
"She will stay in the Jade Phoenix Palace tonight. My physicians will examine her. My servants will bathe her and tend to her properly." His eyes cut to his brother. "Since you clearly cannot take adequate care of her yourself."
"Royal Brother—"
"That wasn't a request."
Prince Liang Jian's jaw tightened. Soyeon could feel the tension radiating off him, barely leashed violence looking for an outlet. But he said nothing. Couldn't say anything, not with so many eyes watching.
"No."
Both princes' heads snapped toward her.
Soyeon's voice was small but steady. "No, thank you, Your Highness. I—I want to go back to the Cold Moon Palace."
The courtyard went deathly still.