My eyes snapped open, sharp and alert, no trace of sleep. I slid the medicine bowl toward Adrian. "The arrow was tipped with snake venom. Another half-hour, and you'd have been gone."
He grabbed my wrist, his voice low and intense. "Helena, why'd you save me?"
The medicine sloshed, leaving a dark stain on the silk bedding. I pried his fingers off one by one. "I saved you to repay the debt for the peach blossom dew you gave me."
His gaze lingered on my face, then he broke into a soft smile. "So you do remember."
I pulled my hand back and started packing my medicine kit. "You're fine now. I'll go."
"Hold on." Adrian reached under his pillow and pulled out a jade pendant, carved with a crane in flight, warm to the touch. "For saving my life."
I shook my head. "It's too valuable."
He pr
