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."
