“Okay,” she said brightly. “Everyone breathe deeply and calm down.”
Mingjun sighed. “Minghua, do not whistle during council.”
“I whistle when needed.” She blew again for emphasis.
Caelan whispered to Poppy, “Is she always like this?”
Poppy whispered back, “In my experience, yes.”
Mingzhao pinched the bridge of his nose. “If no one is going to be rational, I will appoint someone who is.” His gaze landed on Caelan. “You will deliver the report.”
Caelan straightened. “Me?”
“You are neutral. Trained. Known to the Council.” Mingzhao’s voice brooked no negotiation. “And you are the only one here not currently unstable.”
Lysandra gasped. “Rude.”
“That was directed at him,” Caelan muttered, gesturing to Mingxi.
Mingxi glared. “My qi is fine.”
“It is so not fine,” Minghua stage-whispered.
Mingzhao produced a lacquered scroll case.
Caelan accepted it with a respectful bow. “I’ll leave as soon as we are done here.”
Poppy’s stomach flipped. “Be careful. Please.”
He gave her a small smile. “I’ll send word.”
Lysandra waved dramatically, tearful. “Think of me while you travel.”
He rolled his eyes. “I won’t.”
“Heartless.”
The elders began discussing reinforcement strategies, but their voices blurred into background murmurs. When Mingxi leaned closer, Poppy sensed his exhaustion and continued hurting, but he was still radiating warmth.
“You must stay close to me,” he murmured.
She lifted her eyes. “I wasn’t planning on leaving.”
His throat bobbed. “Good.”
As the meeting wound down, elders filed out. Warriors began reinforcing the outer wards. The hall slowly emptied until only the immediate family remained.
Lysandra gnawed on Caelan’s sleeve.
“Stop that,” he said, yanking his arm back.
“Mmm, no.”
“Lysandra!”
“I’m stressed!”
Poppy exhaled a shaky breath. The adrenaline that had been propping her up for hours finally began to drain.
