The light brushed against Poppy’s abdomen—not probing, not alarming—simply… acknowledging. Poppy inhaled softly, her hand drifting there instinctively.
Mingxi’s arms tightened around her, protective even in the calm. “Is it hurting you?”
“No,” she whispered. “It’s warm. Like…” She swallowed, emotion swelling thick in her throat. “Like a blessing.”
Mingxi looked at the moonwell as if seeing it with new eyes. “It recognizes our child.”
The surface rippled once—slow, serene—the way a great lake greets the moon.
Poppy leaned back against Mingxi’s chest, exhausted and glowing faintly. “We saved it,” she murmured.
“And it… it’s welcoming us back.”
“Yes,” Mingxi said softly, kissing her temple. “It’s welcoming our family.”
She closed her eyes, letting herself sink into his warmth as the moonwell’s light dimmed to a peaceful, steady glow. Behind them, the valley was quiet—peacefully quiet—for the first moment since the night of the first battle.
Yunlian exhaled shakily.
Caelan bowed in deep respect.
Lirrane wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and muttered, “About time.”
Poppy whispered, barely audible, “It’s healed.”
Mingxi held her closer.
Chapter 110
The portal flared open in a column of foxfire, and the entire ritual team stepped back into Huoyáo Jìng together—Poppy leaning into Mingxi, Yunlian steadying her elbow, and Caelan and Lirrane trailing behind and arguing about whose pulse was more blown out.
They barely made it three steps into the courtyard before the clan erupted with cheers and shouts. A wave of foxfire lanterns rose in spirals. Cubs barreled straight for Poppy’s knees until Mingxi growled warningly and they skidded to dramatic, giggling halts.
Mingzhao and Minghua reached Poppy and Mingxi first, both speaking at once until Yunlian lifted a hand and silenced the courtyard without saying a word.
“The moonwell?” Mingzhao asked softly.
“Healing,” Poppy said, exhausted but glowing faintly. “It’ll take time, but it’s safe.”
Relief rolled across the crowd like warm wind.
Lysandra flung her arms around Poppy with a squeal of triumph, nearly knocking Mingxi over in the process.
“I told you I wasn’t losing you to a magical sinkhole! Caelan owes me five silver!” she said.
“I never agreed to that,” Caelan muttered.
“You didn’t have to,” she replied cheerfully.
Yunlian kissed Poppy’s forehead, shaking with quiet pride. “My brave girl.”
Poppy started to smile, but the air shimmered sharply, slicing through the warmth.
A gold-rimmed paper crane spiraled down from nowhere, its wings flickering with unfamiliar star-qi. It landed on Poppy’s shoulder, unfolded, and spoke in a clipped, cold voice:
“By order of the Ashen Court: Penelope Sinclair and Lysandra Sinclair are hereby commanded to appear before the High Council within three days.”
The courtyard froze.
