Page 45 of The Nightblood Prince

Five days later, I saw Beifeng back in his stall.

Midmorning that same day, right before our combat training, a slender man in a eunuch’s uniform pulled me aside.

He must have been a new addition to Siwang’s staff, because I didn’t recognize him and he didn’t seem to recognize me.

At least, if he did, he didn’t let it show.

I couldn’t help but wonder whether my disguise was good enough to bypass so many eyes.

Or did these men simply follow Siwang’s orders? “The prince wants to see you.”

An order, not a request. Was this who I was to Siwang now? Someone at his beck and call, summoned when he pleased and abandoned when he grew bored?

“I have to train.”

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 am still a 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, partially because I wanted to. When the headband slipped off, I felt like I could breathe again. The air felt different with myphoenix’s mark uncovered. I felt 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.

“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-called manly sports, 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 reinforcements now. ”