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“If you are a hunter, then I suppose that makes you a good archer?”

“If my father hadn’t trained me to believe it’s improper to beat you at these so-calledmanlysports, I would have overshadowed you our entire childhood. Instead of the crown prince’s betrothed, the people would know me as the goddess of archery, Fei.”

Siwang’s laugh was a deep rumble. One that crinkled his eyes and made everything shine a little bit brighter. “You honestly think you’re better than me?” He rose to his full height and took a step closer.

This time, I didn’t cower. I lifted my head high to meet the heat of his gaze. “I know I am.”

“Well,” he continued, “in that case, why don’t we engage in another friendly competition?”

I glanced at the target that was already set up. His silver-tipped bow was waiting on its stand. He had always intended for us to compete in archery.

A dizzying dread crept up on me. Was this a test? Did he suspect that I had magic? But if I backed out now, he would be even more suspicious. “Fine,” I murmured, “and the winner gets that bow.”

Siwang followed my eyes. “That bow is one of a pair; do you remember?”

“I do remember.”

“Do you regret abandoning the bow when you left the palace?” Siwang’s hand grazed mine, and my breath caught in my throat. We were no longer talking about the bow.

Siwang watched me, those dark eyes hauntingly beautiful as ever.

“Your Highness!” Caikun shouted as he approached us with furious steps.

I spun around and quickly slipped my headband back on.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Siwang frown and make an outward motion with his right hand, as if dismissing Caikun. But he must have noticed Caikun’s eyes brimming with tears, and he paused midmotion.

For a single heartbeat, the world was deafeningly silent. Then a sob broke from Caikun’s lips, and I knew.

The world would not be same from this moment forward.

“It’s the First Army….” Caikun’s voice cracked. “It’s my father. He and his men are trapped inside Changchun. He needs reinforcementsnow.”

38

I didn’t see Siwang the next day, or the day after that. I volunteered to return equipment to the armory after every lesson and walked past Beifeng’s stable at every opportunity in hopes of seeing him.

But it seemed that in life, the more you wanted something, the more it refused to be yours. How the tables had turned. As a child, I’d hated that Siwang was always around, trailing at my heels, bright-eyed like a puppy.

Now I was the one who wanted to see him, constantly.

How embarrassing.

Caikun, along with a handful of senior commanders and military advisors, was absent as well; these were the people who had Siwang’s ear, whose opinions were required to make big decisions in war.

Panic simmered in the camp like oil sizzling in a hot pan. I didn’t tell anyone what I’d overheard that day on the practice field. Still, they sensed the tension in the air, smelled the brewing storm, felt Death breathing down our necks.

I looked around at my friends and acquaintances and the otherfaces that had become familiar with every sunrise and sunset. Caikun had trained us to the best of his ability. However, four months would never be enough time to turn boys into men, or civilians into soldiers. We were not qualified to be the reinforcements the First Army needed.

Still, I wanted to go and help.

Four months ago in Duhuan, I had run in the face of danger. Now I wasn’t sure if I could do the same. Not when so many men had so bravely marched into battle to protect those they loved. If they could do it, then so could I.

My visions could be changed. The bloodshed of my visions was still preventable—if I tried hard enough, anything was possible.

An empress was the mother of the land, and mothers protected. Was this what the prophecy had suggested all along? That I must protect those I loved, fight for those who couldn’t fight for themselves?

By the time I gathered the courage to seek out Siwang, three days had passed.