ELEVEN
As Mai lay on her pallet, listening to Yi's breathing on the other side of the tent, her blood buzzed like it contained a swarm of bees. She couldn't recall ever being this angry at anyone before.
For what had felt like a perfect moment that stretched for eternity, she had stood in the ring opposite Yi in her first fight against a real opponent. And her performance had been flawless. Not even her father could have found fault with her today. The world had stood still while only she and Yi moved in it, and she had moved faster than he did every time. A deadly dance indeed.
How dare that puffed-up rooster claim her victory was because of some dishonourable trick?
For the first time in her life, she'd tasted triumph, and a moment later he'd trodden it into the dust by suggesting
