Another distant roar split the night—ragged, furious, fractured by something fighting inside it.
He knew the entity felt her slipping.
“Mingxi…” she whispered.
“Stay with me,” he murmured, brushing a trembling curl from her cheek. “We’re almost there.”
The carriage swerved, wheels grinding over uneven stone.
A Guardian leaned down from the roof, shouting over the wind, “One turn! The portal is active. Go!”
Mingxi shielded Poppy with his body as the carriage shot toward the two towering iron pillars ahead, runes flaring bright gold against the dark.
Poppy blinked. “Mingxi… what is that light…?”
“My way home,” he whispered. “And yours now, qinyou.”
Her breath hitched—soft, faint, but real.
The carriage plunged through the portal.
Light swallowed them whole.
Chapter 32
They landed on moss.
Warm air rushed around them—a sharp contrast to England’s winter bite. The spectral horses slowed to a glowing halt, steam curling from their forms like silver fog.
Poppy stirred weakly.
“Mingxi…?”
“We crossed safely,” he murmured, shifting her in his arms.
Then the forest answered him. Branches rustled.
Three fox-spirit sentries descended from the trees, landing with fluid, predatory grace. They wore layered charcoal and crimson coats, foxfire blades at their belts. Their eyes—amber, bright as autumn embers—locked instantly onto the unconscious woman in Mingxi’s arms.
The leader stepped forward.
“Shen-gongzi,” he said, voice reverent and sharp. “You return wounded.”
“And carrying a human,” another murmured, eyes narrowing in wary respect.
Mingxi straightened, taking a moment to face the one who spoke.
Then, in his own tongue, he answered, “Ta shìwode qinyou.”
She is my dear one.
The sentries froze. Shock broke across their faces, followed by immediate, deeper bows—spines curved, heads lowered, blades sheathed in deference. She tried to lift her head, but Mingxi gathered her closer, protective.
“Qiànyuàn, qinyou. Forgive us, honored one,” the leader said to Poppy with a softer voice.
“She requires sanctuary,” he commanded. “Get a healer. Send them to???(Lián Chí Gé).”
One sentry sprinted toward the deeper forest, foxfire trailing in his wake.
