Her lips parted, breath catching.
He took her hands. “Poppy,” he whispered, “you are the one I want beside me. In Huoyáo Jìng. In the mortal realm. In danger. In safety. In whatever future we face.”
She trembled. “Mingxi…”
He lifted the moon-silk chain. The foxfire crystal pulsed softly alive, already sensing his intent.
“I want to bind my vow to yours,” he whispered. “Not because of prophecy. Not because of rituals nor fate. I want to stay by your side forever, because I love you.”
She cupped his face with trembling hands. “Mingxi,” she whispered, “I love you. I’ve been in love with you longer than I knew how to say.”
He made a sound—raw, audible, a little broken—and reached for her hand. “Penelope Sinclair,” he whispered, voice shaking, “will you marry me?”
She burst into tears and laughter all at once. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes… of course, yes.”
She pressed her forehead to his as he looped the moon-silk chain around her wrist. The foxfire crystal flared brilliantly, glowing with both their qi—silver and moonlight entwined. Mingxi’s breath stuttered. The crystal dimmed into a soft glow, settling over her pulse. He believed they were a perfect match. Her vow. His vow. Their bond.
He rose, cupping her cheeks as though she’d disappear otherwise. “You said yes,” he breathed.
“You asked,” she whispered back.
He kissed her—slow, reverent, shaking, and the grove answered in blooming foxfire. They walked back hand in hand, like two shy teenagers expecting privacy. Instead, the entire family was waiting at the door.
Minghua screamed first, “They’re engaged! I win! I win the bet!”
Mingjun sighed. “Damn it.”
Xu Yunlian burst into tears instantly.
Mingzhao nodded once and said, “About time.”
Lysandra launched herself bodily at Poppy. “I saw this in a dream… actually, I didn’t, but I’m claiming credit.”
Caelan’s distant voice echoed through a water gate behind her, “I heard screaming. What happened? Oh, my gods.”
Chaos erupted.
Warriors cheered.
Cubs danced.
Minghua threw flower petals from nowhere.
Lysandra tried to officiate the wedding on the spot.
Mingxi threatened to bite her.
Poppy threatened to help him.
Xu Yunlian hugged Poppy like she was already a daughter.
Mingzhao announced, “The wedding will be held in three days.”
Mingxi choked. “Father—”
“It is decided,” Mingzhao said calmly. “Three days from now is an auspicious date. The next will not come for another three months.”
Poppy hid her face in Mingxi’s chest, and he wrapped his arms around her protectively while family chaos swirled like a cyclone.
