Don't fall asleep. Grandfather is coming back. He promised to come back. Stars glittered above in the night sky void of clouds. The moon was full and brilliant, shining a cold light. Lan Fan's little fire had diminished to embers. Both feet were numb and her fingers had taken on a bluish-white tone. She knew she should gather more wood, but her body was stiff. Instead, she held Fu's coat tightly around her small frame and stared into the sky. She wondered what it would be like to fall up into the heavens. Would it feel like floating? Would it be as cold as the lake? She thought of Prince Ling suspended under water, the look on his face before he slipped beneath the ice. It'd been more surprise than fear.

'Don't leave me!'

Don't fall asleep, Lan Fan fought to keep her eyes open, Just a little longer. Don't…

When the search party came for her Lan Fan was barely conscious, breaths coming slow and shallow, lips blue and cracked from the freezing temperatures. Deliriously Lan Fan mumbled as she was wrapped in a thick, scratchy blanket. She opened her eyes for a moment as she was loaded into a palanquin. It was lit by a single lantern, warm and draped in fine silk. Someone smelling of jasmine and honey cradled her, warming her frozen hands between their own.

"Sleep little one," a soft, lilting voice whispered in her ear. The world lost focus. Lan Fan finally gave into darkness.

When she woke from her fevered dreams she didn't recognize her surroundings, nor could she recall how much time had passed. Lan Fan was tucked into a gigantic, plush bed, and bundled under multiple blankets. A brazier crackled with fire across the room; on the table next to her a lantern glowed and cast flickering shadows against the wall. Incense had been burned recently. The air in the room was stifling and almost unbearably warm. A woman dressed in lavish robes sat next to her bed, attention focused on embroidery until the girl shifted beneath the covers. The woman's face was oval, her nose long and narrow, and she had a familiar quirk to her mouth.

"You had us worried, little one," Xue said as she pulled her stitch taunt, "You've slept for three days."

"My lady," Lan Fan's throat was dry and her voice was rough. Lady Yao set her embroidery aside, pouring Lan Fan a cup of water from the pitcher nearby. She helped Lan Fan sit up and encouraged her to take small sips before speaking again. The little bodyguard's words were tinged with dread. "Is Prince Ling all right?"

"Ling is in bed with a fever insisting that he'll die of boredom long before a cold will get the better of him," she said with the same sly smile as her son. Lan Fan sunk back into the pillows, momentarily relieved by Lady Yao's words.

"I'm sorry," Lan Fan whispered. She worried the edge of her sleeve between her fingers, then released the fabric when she realized the borrowed sleeping robe was likely more expensive than everything she owned combined.

"For what, little one? Saving my foolhardy son from his own stupidity?" Xue returned to her embroidery, finishing the last of the red blossoms she'd stitched on the corner of a handkerchief.

"But if I'd stopped him-" Lan Fan began.

"Had you not been there Ling might've still ventured into danger and drowned. You jumped in after him without concern for your own life. I doubt Ling could find a more worthy protector in all of Xing."

Lan Fan flushed crimson at Xue's words.

"You should rest. It appears your fever is back," a knowing smile played across her mouth. She left the handkerchief on the table, "I promised Ling I'd inform him the moment you woke. I'll have something brought for you to eat."

A servant brought her rice and a bowl of broth shortly thereafter. Till her first bite she hadn't realized quite how hungry she felt. She ate so quickly she nearly made herself sick. An alkahestrist came by Lan Fan's room, giving her a brief exam, and congratulated her on not losing any toes or fingers to frostbite. Another servant helped her to the baths to freshen up. She soaked in the hot water for nearly an hour, indulging in the warmth, before being ushered back to her room. Lan Fan was settling back into bed when Ling slid the door open, peeking inside. He smiled at her, a touch less sure of himself than usual, and slipped into her room. But for the atypical pink of his cheeks the young lord looked no worse for wear. Before he could stop her Lan Fan climbed out of bed, throwing herself onto the floor in a bow of perfect humility.

"You don't have to do that. Please, you're not well."

"My lord, I…" She couldn't continue as tears welled in her eyes and her throat tightened. As the prince crouched before the young apprentice guard she pressed her forehead hard against the floor. She wished it would swallow her up. When Ling's hands settled onto her trembling shoulders she lifted her head. His expression was solemn.

"Don't. I'm the one who should apologize. I've caused you all sorts of trouble," he took a deep breath and held her gaze, "I'm sorry. Will you forgive me, my lady?"

"Of course, but there is no need for you to apologize to one such as me. I'm no lady. Just a bodyguard. Not even that yet...," she replied.

"But you will be, won't you? My bodyguard?" his voice was hopeful. As if she'd consider saying no. She didn't trust herself to speak and nodded instead. The smile he gave her was genuine and it eased the tightness in her chest. Had she ever seen him smile like that before? "Good! Now that's settled you should get back in bed, Lady Bodyguard."

"Yes, Master Ling."

The prince stayed by her bedside regaling her with tales of his last visit to the imperial palace. She drifted off while he listed off all the foods he tried at a recent festival.

Suyin arrived at the Yao estate the next afternoon escorted by two attendants. Fu waited for her at the stone steps leading up to the main house. In the past four years his daughter in law had done quite well for herself. Dressed in an indigo quju with lilac accents she was a vision. A lacquered comb gilded with pearls adorned her hair and her ears were pierced with gold studs. She was a far cry from the farmer's daughter his son had married beneath a cherry tree. Feng wouldn't recognize her, he thought. The old man narrowed his eyes at the sight of her entourage dressed in Zhang colors as they were. His raised hand brought four other Yao guards from the shadows, barring their passage and flanking them.

"What is the meaning of this? Let me see my daughter!"

"You may enter. Your escort will wait here," he declared and rested his hand on the hilt of his sword in warning. With irritation lacing her voice Suyin ordered her guard to remain outside. She hurried up the steps and inside with Fu to the guest wing.

"Was that necessary?"

"Were you not betrothed to Zhang scum I'd have no need for such caution. Feng would roll in his grave if he knew you'd sully yourself with a Zhang."

"Feng would wish for my said yourself he wouldn't want me to spend my whole life as a grieving widow."

"You're marrying into a rival clan." Fu stopped to face her.

"Liwei Zhang is an honorable man despite your prejudices. He wishes to adopt Lan Fan as his own daughter."

Fu grabbed her arm and drew her close.

"Do you think I would allow my granddaughter to become a Zhang?"

"It isn't your decision. We don't need you to take care of us any longer," Suyin pulled free of his grasp, "Lan Fan nearly froze to death! Letting you train her was a mistake from the beginning! I'm putting an end to it. Now where is my daughter?"

They both looked down the hall as a door slid open. Before them stood the prince with his hands tucked into his sleeves and head tilted in contemplation.

"Prince Ling, shouldn't you be in bed? Your mother will be concerned…" Following Fu's example Suyin bowed. Heart pounding in her chest, Suyin glanced at the boy through her lashes. So this was the prince her husband died to protect. That her daughter nearly died to protect.

"No need to worry my fever is gone; however, Lan Fans is not. Your carrying on will wake her. Take your arguing elsewhere," Ling gave them a thin smile that didn't reach his eyes, "Please."

"Pardon me, my lord, but I've come all this way from the capital to see Lan Fan…"

"And see her you shall! But I'm sure you've had a long journey and could use some tea, hm? As my guest I insist. Bye bye now." Dismissing them with a wave of his hand he stepped back into the room and shut the door firmly behind him.

From her perch on the bed Lan Fan gazed at him, worry and confusion lurking in her chestnut eyes. He gave her a conspiratorial wink, placing his finger to his lips while he listened for sounds of Fu and Suyin's retreating steps. When he was certain they'd gone he reclaimed his seat by her bed.

"Don't look so worried, Lan Fan. No one will make you go anywhere against your wishes. Now, let me tell you about the time I put stink bugs in my cousin's bed…"

"But you heard her. Mother is going to marry Liwei Zhang. I'll have to live with them."

"Ah, but you promised to be my bodyguard! My mother says you can always trust a Liu to keep their promises. A Zhang could never be my retainer; therefore, you must stay here and remain Lan Fan Liu. So you see the matter is settled. Unless… you want to leave?"

'Don't leave me!'

Hours later Suyin was brought to her daughter's room. Two years had passed since she last saw Lan Fan. Once her little girl would've dove into her arms, but now she merely bowed. Though only a few feet separated mother and child the distance between them was a chasm. The contours of Lan Fan's face hadn't changed much. Still, Suyin hardly recognized the girl before her. When did my little girl take on such an intensity?

"I've missed you so, Lan Fan. My how much you've grown," said Suyin. She closed the physical distance between them and drew her daughter into an embrace. Kneeling she tapped her finger lightly on the tip of her nose. "And so pretty, too. When I heard what had happened I came straight away. You must've been so frightened." Lan Fan nodded.

"Well, you don't have to be frightened any longer. I'm taking you home with me. You're going to love it in the capital." Suyin took Lan Fan's rough hands in her own and kissed her palms. "No more of this silly martial arts business. Your new father intends to spoil you with dresses and dolls, and I will teach you embroidery."

"Mother, I wasn't frightened for myself. I was afraid Prince Ling would die. That I couldn't save him. I promised to become his bodyguard."

"I only want what's best for you."

"I am a Liu. A Liu always keeps their promises," Lan Fan said and pulled her callused hands from Suyin's own soft, delicate ones.

"You're father would be proud," Suyin resigned.

"Are you?"

A kiss pressed to her forehead was Lan Fan's answer.