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Asifoncue,thebirdsflewstraightdownather,andastheydid,theytransformed.Nowinplaceoftheflockwasthewitchstandingbeforethem.MulanandthePhoenixsharedalook.Atthebird’sencouragingnod,Mulanpushedherselftoherfeet.Liftingherswordandsummoningthelittlestrengthshehadleft,shemetthewitch’spiercinggazewithoneofherown.

“Ifyou’reheretokillme,”shesaid,“Ipromisethatwon’tbeeasy.”

“Killyou?”Xianniangrepeated,hereyebrowsraisinginsurprise.Sheshookherhead.“No.Yourdisgraceisworsethandeath.”

ThewordswerelikeaslaptoMulan’sface.Shetightenedhergriponhersword,forcingherselftokeepherbreathingevenandherexpressioncalm.Shedidn’twanttogivethewitchthesatisfactionofseeingherpain.Butshefailed.

AsthewitchrecognizedMulan’sagony,herexpressionsoftened.“Iunderstand,”shesaid.Shepaused.Hereyesgrewthoughtful,asthoughshewerelostinamemory.“Iwasagirllikeyouwhenmypeopleturnedonme.”

Inherhand,Mulan’sswordtrembled.Therewasheartbreakinthewitch’swords.AndforthefirsttimesinceshehadencounteredXianniang,Mulansawhernotasawitch,butasawoman.ShehadbeenquicktoassumeXianniangwasaterriblepersonbecauseshehadalignedherselfwiththeShadowWarriors.ButMulanhadnotstoppedtowonderwhy.WhywouldsomeonewithsomuchpowersubmittoB??riKhan’sspmand?Buthereitwas:Xianniang’sownpeoplehadshunnedher.Lookingatthewitch,Mulanrealizedtheyhadmoreinspmonthanshecouldhaveeverknown.

AsifreadingMulan’sthoughts,thewitchwenton.Thepaininhervoicewasmirroredonherfaceasshespoke.“I’velivedalifeofexile.Nocountry.Novillage.Nofamily.”Pausing,XianniangmadesureMulanwaslookingatherassheadded,“Wearethesame.”

“We’renot,”Mulansaid,eventhoughtheexactthoughthadjustcrossedhermind.“Wecan’tbe.”