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Siwang’s eyes darted between me and Luyao. “The two of you know each other?”

“We are from the same village.”

“The same village, huh?” Siwang’s voice suddenly went cold. Without waiting for my response, he grabbed my hand by force and hoisted me to my feet. The motion nearly sent my body crashing into his before I found my balance and stepped back. I tried to pull my hand from his.

His grip held tighter, just for a moment, before a smile broke out on those lips. He turned to Luyao. “Let’s fight.”

I scurried to the back of the crowd the moment Siwang let me go, and tried not to think about how the feel of his skin sent every nerve in my body exploding like fireworks.

32

Luyao was no match for Siwang. With a single swing of his fist, Siwang all but knocked Luyao out within the first breath of the match.

More men volunteered for the chance to fight, ravenous for the honor of beating the Crown Prince of Rong in combat. The same excitement I had seen ten thousand times before—in the emperor’s court and during the imperial hunt.

None had ever succeeded before, and none succeeded today, not even as exhaustion slowed Siwang’s stealthy feet.

The sun climbed higher into the sky. By the time sweat beaded on Siwang’s forehead, and the raised hands of brave challengers fell in masses, it was almost noon.

Half a smile at his lips, our beloved prince gazed at this battalion of astonished men, whose trust and respect he had just earned like conquered land. He straightened his back, as if ready to go for another round, though I noticed the way his chest rose and fell rapidly beneath his porcelain facade.

Then, almost in unison, the soldiers bowed for their prince and general.

His half smile blossomed into a full smile, pride gleaming like the golden sunlight he radiated.

Just like that, he’d won the hearts of thousands of men.

All in a morning’s work.

Siwang laughed. “I want to tell everyone that you can take the rest of the day off, but I’ve already borrowed enough time. If I stole more, your commanders might riot. Why don’t we take the rest of the morning off, at least?”

Siwang looked to the commanders, who stood in a line before the gathered crowd like guards, ready to step in if anyone posed a real threat.

They exchanged glances, then nodded in unison.

Again, the crowd cheered. Nobody seemed to notice that the morning was almost over, so he wasn’t giving us much of anything. Yet, the excitement was palpable.

“Thank you, for your time, and for showing me just how magnificent Rong’s soldiers are. Every single one of you is Rong’s pride. Don’t you ever forget that.”

I let out the breath I was holding when Siwang disappeared among his waiting guards and the crowd began to disperse.

Luyao met my eyes from across the courtyard. If he had not intervened, would Siwang have found me out? I wasn’t sure what would hurt more. For my identity as a girl to be found out and to be sentenced to death on the count of treason, or to be completely forgotten by Siwang in just one year?

“Luyao.” I called out his name. “Thank—”

A slender eunuch in dark blue robes caught my arms.

“The prince wishes to see you in his tent.”

Shit.“I…”

“Now.”

Siwang’s tent was north of the camp, far from the barracks, surrounded by smaller tents that housed his advisors and hand-selected warriors who went wherever he went, men whose entire lives were dedicated to keeping him safe.

In the distance, lunch was being served. Congee with beans, slender shreds of pork sparingly dispersed atop it like a dainty garnish, and sides of fermented cabbage for the soldiers to share. A lot of the recruits were from the north, where fermented vegetables were a must with every meal.

It wasn’t much, but it kept our bellies full, which was more than most had, especially those at the borders.