"Something's wrong," Deng Mi said, his voice hushed and tense.
Wei Ling threw one arm around the Crown Prince, trying to steady him.
"Your Highness! What is it? Say something!"
Zhao Yan's gaze was dazed.
Then he raised his hand.
Fingers trembled.
He touched his ear.
Warm.
Wet.
Still bleeding.
His mind flashed to the ambush—
—the arrow.
That single, whistling arrow that had grazed him.
No...! Not just a graze.
Zhao Yan's knees buckled. "I've been..." His voice rasped. "Poisoned."
Wei Ling and Deng Mi froze.
Zhao Yan's lips trembled.
"Take me... to the Third Province..."
And he collapsed.
"YOUR MAJESTY!!" Wei Ling shouted, falling with him.
Deng Mi was by their side in a heartbeat. "What's happening to him?!"
His skin was icy.
His breathing was shallow.
His lips... faintly blue.
"He's going into shock!" Wei Ling barked.
"No!" Deng Mi shouted. "This can't be happening! Not now!"
