shoulder, and Chien had the half mad hope that Bao would kiss him once more. But he pulled away instead. "Take care to prepare for your fight. The Empress will not fight fair."
Chien watched as he left, the guards outside of his room bowed to show their respect. Bao did not look back, his stride confident. He watched until Bao left his sight.
He had more reason than ever to succeed tonight. This was beyond destiny. With a sigh, he turned back and knelt beside his bed, pulling up the loosened board of wood. Bao had not said whether he returned Chien's feelings, but that was simply something further to look forward to. Once the throne had been set to rights and Mai punished, then he could ask.
The truth was, he didn't need to. Chien had never truly believed that Bao had betrayed him, but it was hard to forget that his mother had been betrayed by the sister-in-law she had trusted with her life. But Bao had broken his oath for him.
Chien lifted the box Bao had brought him as a gift, a small smile on his face. There was no way he could look at this gift and not understand Bao's feelings toward him. Not unless he was blind. He set the box to the side and reached for another box within the hiding space. This one was a beautiful box in dark wood, decorated along the edge with the faded writing of a protection charm.
His mother had given him this box before ordering him to hide. It was important that he keep this safe, never open this box. It had been years before he had understood why his mother had ordered such a thing. Then had come the question of when it would be the right time. When would he know? When would he be ready?
Because there was one other thing he feared even more than the thought that he might forgive his aunt's betrayal. The sword of his ancestors, the sword of the Dragon. He knew the power contained within this box. The protection charm was not to keep the sword safe, but rather to keep them safe from the sword itself. It had been a long time since an emperor had been forced to draw the Sword of Heaven. Chien lifted the box into his lap, fingers dancing along the edge where the box would open.
Was he worthy of this sword? What if he tried to grasp it and found that he was as bad as his aunt? For a moment he faltered. Then he tightened his fists, remembering his resolve. Mai would pay. Not only for what she had done to his mother. Not only for what she had done to his sister, but for the suffering she had inflicted day after day over the past thirteen years.
Opening the box felt a bit anticlimactic. There were no explosions or bright flashes of light. The Dao that lay against the lining was perfectly serviceable if a little ornate. The hilt was golden, but when Chien grasped it, it didn't have the soft give of gold. Instead, it was warm in his hand. Not burning, but in a pleasant way. He'd felt this presence before, in the grove.
And just that easily, it settled around him, accepting him, welcoming him. The sword was his. The throne was as well if he could claim it.
No, there would be no 'if's. Standing, he turned back to see Bao's gift sitting behind him. It was highly inappropriate. His aunt would hate the color, hate the insult it would represent to wear the style of Xing in her court. But now was hardly the time to begin caring what she would think.
And perhaps, for the first time, love did not feel so much a weakness.
The guards who escorted him to the Hall of Dragon's Claw did so with the somber manner of escorting a man to his death. And likely they believed that would be the case. They knew only the prince who appeared more child than man.
Chien's hands tightened around the hilt of his weapon, but he did not allow himself to falter, to look anything less than completely confident in his place and in his victory. This throne was his destiny, a destiny Mai had stolen from him, a destiny he would reclaim. Still, his hands shook slightly because this was the end. Talking was cheap, planning was nice, but in the end it would come down to his strength versus that of his aunt's.
The Empress sat upon her throne, her posture relaxed and a small smile upon her face. Of course she could be confident. She had no intention of playing fair. The first time she had abandoned her honor had likely been the most difficult. Each time since then would have become easier until the only way she could see victory was through betrayal and dishonorable acts.
She would bathe the Throne of a Thousand Swords in blood, and that could be allowed no longer.
"Nephew, I have taken the liberty of securing a weapon for you."
"That will not be necessary." Chien pulled the dao from his belt, watching the way her eyes widened as recognition dawned upon her face.
"Where did you get that sword?" A hush fell over the spectators as they too began to recognize the sword in his hand.
"It was given to me."
He watched her face grow mottled with rage, "It means nothing."
"It means everything."
"I will not be held prisoner by the voices of invisible Old Gods that sit upon their pedestal and dictate what man should do. This Empire is mine. Not theirs. I earned it. I claimed it."
"You stole it."
"And you think to take it back? What makes you believe that you can do so? What makes you believe that you have the strength?"
"I could explain it, but words are meaningless. Years from now, only my actions will be remembered. You laid the parameters for this duel and I have agreed. Now," Chien flicked the sword, taking a moment to admire the balance of the weapon in his hand, "I would prefer to end this."
"Cocky little brat."
"I have waited thirteen years for this moment. Thirteen years of groveling, of watching while your disgusting sons lorded over this palace and watching as you ran this Empire into destruction. Thirteen years of watching my people turn to our enemies to save them from your rule. Thirteen years of vengeance burning inside of me. I have had thirteen years, my aunt, to contemplate the different ways I would enjoy seeing you die. And at last it will come to pass."
"Not yet my, dear nephew." She sat back in her throne, Chien's throne, and flicked her hand, "As the prince has spoken, the rules have been set forth. He has challenged his cousins for their position."
Tuan and Minh stood, and Chien realized just what she planned. "The both of them. At once."
"Better to get it over with quickly, do you not agree?"
To his surprise, it was Bao who stepped forward, "This is hardly fair, Empress."
"Quiet, General. The future of our Empire is at stake and you expect fair?"
"You would pit your trained sons against a child who has barely lifted a sword in his life." What was the Bao doing? "How would beating a single child like that show your strength to the Empire?"
"He has committed treason. I do not think he intends to stop with this attempt. What would you suggest, my General?"
"Banish him then. Or hold him under tighter guard. Make it clear how little a threat you find him."
"I wonder, General, why you plead so hard for his life."
"Because he is nothing to you, Empress, and you should show such through your actions."
The Empress seemed to honestly consider his words. "Many have considered your compassion to be your weakness, General, but I have always considered it your greatest strength. It is clear that you care for the people of this Empire. You care to ensure that my rule remains strong. Never before have I felt reason to doubt the oath you gave me when I made you general."
"I have never betrayed that oath, Empress."
"But you would now. I knew you spent time with my nephew, but I had assumed you were not a part of this plot as well. Treason carries a heavy price, Bao."
"Never once have I failed in my duty to you."
"Did you know of my nephew's plans to poison my sons before he did so?"
"I did not."
"But you did afterward." She shook her head when he did not respond. "Men are so often led by their baser instincts. There are many who could warm your bed, yet you choose the one that would have my head. I will give you one last chance for loyalty, Bao. Step aside now and you may avoid the sharp end of my sword in punishment."
> "I will not."
"Then you would break your oath? You would throw away your honor? For him?" The Empress was confused, as if she could not contemplate such a possibility.
Bao did not respond to her, but Chien could see the play of emotions across his face. The toll it took for Bao to break his oath. The Empress's expression darkened. "There is a heavy price for treason, Bao. You will discover this once I have dealt with your lover." She waved to her sons once more and they pulled their weapons.
When Bao went to pull his weapon as well, Chien stopped him with a hand on his arm. "What—"
"This is my fight." His hand tightened for a moment and he felt reluctant to let go. "Thank you. For standing with me."
"I did not betray you." But he had betrayed the Empress, and for all her wickedness, Chien could see that the betrayal weighed on him.
"I know." He'd known from the beginning, but rage had allowed him to sink into despair. He could see clearer now. If he had only not been such a fool before, he might have seen it sooner. They might have spent a few remaining hours together. "When this is all over, we will talk."
"When this is all over, you will be dead and I as well." There was no insult in Bao's voice, only the matter of fact tone of his beliefs.
"I will not allow that to happen." The sword in his hands pulsed with his conviction.
"You will not have a choice."
"Enough talk!" Chien released Bao and turned to face the Empress and her sons, his hand tightening around his weapon. "This