Shi Yaozu returned just before dawn, silent as ever, soaked in shadow and dust and smelling like a horse.
I was already awake. I hadn't slept more than an hour or so... Not well, anyway.
After Yan Luo left, I spent an hour watching the mist dance along the garden stones, wondering how many enemies I'd gained in the span of a week. How many more were still pretending to be allies.
I didn't look up as Yaozu entered my chambers. He didn't speak, didn't bow. Just stood in the corner like he always did—quiet and grim and perfectly still.
Until he finally muttered, "I should've been here."
I tilted my head. "You were gathering intel."
"There was a knife against your skin."
"It didn't get that far," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "A single assassin is nothing compared to an entire army."
