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The eunuch’s eyes went dark. He leaned a little closer, a sharp smile at his lips. “The prince wants to see you, Little Li. Whether you prefer to walk or be dragged there by your shiny locks, it’s the same to me. The prince does not enjoy waiting, and I do not enjoy seeing my prince upset.”

I sighed and bowed my head in submission. I was smart enough to choose my battles, and this was not a worthy battle.

“Come with me.”

I looked across the courtyard. The commanders had intensified our training after Caikun’s return. As if they were fighting against time to turn this group of misfit recruits into a company worthy of the battlefield. Every second felt precious as gold dust slipping through our fingers.

From the other side, Caikun watched me and the eunuch with an expression that could be described only as melancholy. I half expected him to come tell the eunuch that I couldn’t afford to miss practice.

He didn’t. Instead, he turned away and yelled for everyone to find their sparring partners.

The eunuch led me north of the camp, into a sectioned-off area of the forest, where a small courtyard hid between trees.

Siwang was there, waiting. “From what I remember, you used to beat up the heirs in our scholarly classes on a daily basis,” he mused as I approached.

“Only if they were rude to the girls, or chose to harass the servants.”

“You used to be a good fighter.”

I flinched. “I amstilla good fighter.”

“Not from what I’ve seen.” Siwang’s lips curled into something resembling a smile. “And not from what I’ve heard from Caikun.”

“Do you want a rematch?”

He shrugged; indifference smoothed over his features, but I caught that tiny spark in his eyes. “Take off the headband,” he ordered, voice stern as the Crown Prince and not Siwang.

I heeded his command. Partially because he had asked, partiallybecause I wanted to. When the headband slipped off, I felt like I could breathe again. The air felt different with myphoenix’s mark uncovered.Ifelt different.

Everything was brighter, sharper, as if I woke from a drowsy dream.

“Never take your eyes off your opponent,” Siwang said.

Like last time, he was the first to attack. Unlike last time, with my mark uncovered, I knew when he was going to lunge, and where.

I slipped through his grasp like a fish that didn’t want to be caught, then dodged his quick pivoting leg as it swept across the ground. An unexpected move that should have knocked me out had I not seen it coming.

Even without Fate’s guidance, I knew Siwang’s habits. All attack, no defense. Stealthy and strong, he liked to finish his opponents quickly, so he always went for the killer move.

I dodged his attacks until I finally felt an opportunity. I twisted and swung my leg high. The heel of my shoe slammed him square in the jaw and knocked him to the ground.

“You lost,” I announced.

“Where was this two months ago?” Siwang laughed. “I guess Caikun’s training is working.”

“I didn’t want to embarrass you in front of your men,” I lied. “I make a living hunting wild animals for rich merchants. If I wasn’t a good fighter before, then I have become a good fighter out of necessity.”

Siwang sneered. He didn’t move, didn’t bother getting up. He simply looked up at me from his spot on the ground. “Then how come Caikun says you’re as unremarkable as unremarkable comes? It’s as if you are a better fighter without your headband.”

My body went tight.He knows. He knows about the visions and the magic and—

Siwang laughed. “Keep the headband off if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“What if someone sees the phoenix’s mark and makes the connection between me and your betrothed? Girls are not allowed on military grounds, remember?”

“What are they going to do? You have me, Fei. I will protect you.” Siwang extended his hand.

“I can protect myself,” I murmured, then pulled him to his feet.