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This wasn’t a grand
adventure to an exotic land. Being a princess meant more than wearing silk and
having servants attend to her every need. It meant being caught in politics and
power struggles. Things she knew nothing about.
    She sipped at the tea. It was bitter, yet fortifying. “Is there
always such fighting among the tribes?”
    “There have always been disagreements.”
    She thought for a long time. “Khitan is a dangerous place.”
    His eyes darkened at the statement. “No more treacherous than
your imperial court.”
    At that moment, Dao felt like she didn’t know anything about
anything. Neither the dangers of Khitan, nor the imperial court. In her
innocence, she believed that it was an honor to be selected to be an alliance
bride. Her half sister had the good sense to flee.
    Kwan-Li was watching her carefully. “You regret coming
here.”
    It was too late for that now. “I won’t be writing any laments
about being married to the other side of heaven, if that’s what you’re
wondering.”
    Again, the half smile. “I did not think you would.”
    The poetry of the frontier was always filled with homesickness
and sorrow, but Dao hadn’t come all this way to wallow in misery. She was a
princess now.
    “What do I need to know about the Khitan court?” she asked.
    “There is conflict in any court,” he said roughly. “But the
princess will be protected at all times.”
    Was he trying to protect her by keeping her in ignorance? Her
half brother had been the same way. When the family had been on the brink of
ruin, he’d tried to take all the troubles onto his own shoulders, thinking to
shield them from worry. But the entire household had always known. She couldn’t
remain ignorant if she wanted to survive.
    “Tell me,” she insisted. “I’m to become the khagan’s wife,
after all. And you’ll no longer be with me.”
    Kwan-Li gave her a hard look. She stared back with a harder
look. She won.
    “The tribes of the south have lived among the Han, learned your
language, in many instances adopting your ways. Other clans have similarly
aligned themselves with the Uyghurs,” he continued. “For generations, the Khitan
have balanced themselves between these two enemies, trying to appease both
sides. The Tang court withdrew support when we became vassals of the Uyghurs,
but within the last few years our clan has once again paid tribute to the
Emperor to reestablish relations.”
    She thought of Kwan-Li who had been sent to the capital to be
educated. “Your clan would rather be allied with the Tang Emperor.”
    “I would rather we were our own masters.”
    There was so much pride and conviction behind that
statement.
    “You risked your life for the sake of this alliance today,” she
said.
    “No.” His gaze burned into her. “I did what I did for you.”
    It would have been the same had he known she wasn’t royalty.
She was certain. He called her princess and almost always did what she asked,
but she never thought of him as a servant.
    “I’m very grateful,” she said, feeling the words were
inadequate. “For all that you’ve done for me.”
    His only answer was a brief nod before he went to tend to the
pot that simmered over the fire. It wasn’t the first time she regretted how the
difference in their positions kept him at a distance.
    The rest of the brew was used to cook up a thick gruel of tea
leaves and millet. They ate the simple meal in silence while she was aware of
his every movement beside her. Kwan-Li was a constant puzzle; scholar and
warrior. He was at ease with the silence as they watched the sun melt into the
horizon. This land suited him with its harsh beauty.
    “The princess should rest,” he suggested finally. “I will
remain on guard.”
    She started toward the tent, but paused as Kwan-Li scattered
dirt over the fire.
    “It is unlikely we would be found out here, but the fire would
make us visible from afar in the darkness,” he explained.
    They were down to a single