When Wang Xu finally opened his eyes, half of the day was gone. The environment was familiar, but the person was not. Was the princess in his chambers? He watched her closely, the sun carving her slender silhouette, fragile, but upright. She didn't seem to notice he was awake.
He attempted to move, but the wound hurt like fire, pulsating as if to remind the wolf that he was still there. He winced.
'You're awake,' the princess turned to him, kneeling beside him.
'And you're still here,' he managed to say, his voice low and rough.
'You're welcome,' she told him, 'you could have died last night. I couldn't let you have the satisfaction of deciding your fate.'
He stared up at the ceiling, 'I can see that last night's event taught you nothing.'
'It taught me a thing or two about taming a beast. You seem to have a deadly reaction to a plant,' she taunted.
'How authentic of you to notice,' his voice, laced with sarcasm, 'I thought I set every one of those poisons ablaze. I wonder where that bastard got it from,' he cursed under his breath.
'That bastard is my friend,' she warned, 'I'm sure he has relayed my message now. My father must be foaming at his mouth,' he saw something similar to the most wicked smile he had ever seen.
'What message?'
'I have decided to stay at your fortress. I have seen my father's cruel teeth, and I want nothing to do with them. The Wei kingdom has a crack and would sooner fall apart with or without your sword of vengeance. I want to be the one to build it up under my name, on my own terms.'
'Are you suggesting an alliance?'
I'm suggesting an arrangement. My father would have no other choice but to accept you.'
Her statement shocked him; he struggled to sit up. 'You expect me to hand you a kingdom.'
'It's a win-win. You walk away with your kingdom and your pride, and I take what's left of my fate of mine. What better deal can there be?'
'Your father may not yield to such cheap tactics.'
'You need not worry about that. I will have him wrapped around my finger sooner.'
'You speak like a general.'
'I was trained by one.'
'Well, we shall see if your words hold any weight when the blood starts to flow.'
They locked eyes, not of affection, but of two predators who have decided to hunt together, and what a ride it would be, the wolf thought, slightly intrigued by her vigour.
The door creaked open. Lady Yun walked in with a maid carrying a bowl of shredded herbs.
'Forgive me, my lord, I didn't know you had company,' she said, sitting beside the princess, 'you should be resting, the toxins are still in your body.'
'I have endured worse,' his tone was flat.
Lady Yin turned to the princess, 'You have done more than enough for his lordship. I suggest you rest easy; the household will take care of it from here.'
Wang Wei watched silently; he could cut the tension with a blade. He watched the unspoken hostility that seemed to be forming between the two women, but he said nothing, and that spoke volumes.
Wei Lan finally broke the silence. She bowed slightly, 'I will leave you to it then. Remember, an alliance is only stronger when both sides fulfill their end of the bargain,' she said and swept out of the room, quiet, composed, and in control of her exit.
When the princess was out of earshot, Lady Yin spoke, 'She's dangerous.'
Wang Xu's response was more of a whisper, 'So am I.'