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He gave a soft, amused hum at her retort, one ear flicking as though to acknowledge it.

Of course not, he said, a corner of his mouth lifting. Heaven itself would break before you would.

His gaze followed hers out across the dark water, watching the ripples chase each other toward the far shore. His expression was calm and thoughtful, the way it always was when his mind drifted between logic and superstition.

The spirit that could move us from the Dragon’s reach, he murmured, would not be one of mercy. If such a thing exists, I’d prefer it stay sleeping. His voice softened at the end, but I fear it’s awake. He shuffled his paws, a rare show of anxiety that he only allowed his mother, the woman who raised him as her own, though neither shared a shred of blood. I heard something worrisome from a local who’s now with me, He nodded his head behind himself, gesturing deeper into the ruins. There is something in this land, something terrible if he is to be believed. The frown pulled deeply at Shenlei’s lips and furrowed his brow in obvious concern. It made him run for days, mother to the point that he was half starved and had two paws in the ground when I found him. Whatever it is, it’s no benevolent spirit or the celestial dragon. He settled, bronze eyes turning to meet his own mother’s pale ones.

When she leaned into him, he didn’t move away. For a brief moment, his shoulder pressed back against hers, a subtle, grounding touch that spoke louder than any words he might have offered. Then, as she straightened, so did he, his eyes catching the faint glint of accusation when she turned them on him.

Mother, he said slowly, tone dipping into that deliberate, teasing drawl he only ever used with her. You wound me. Do you truly think I’d choose to sleep in this— he flicked a paw at the murky water, —masterpiece of filth?

A faint chuckle left him, low and quiet but undeniably there. No. There’s a clearing just beyond those stones. Higher ground, dry soil. It will do until I find something better. He paused, looking her over with the same half-serious authority that had cowed generals. You’ll rest there tonight with the others. I’ll keep watch. There was an island west of here that he spotted and thought looked like a suitable place to re-establish the dynasty, but first, he wanted to see who else showed up, and he’s glad he did, for had he not waited, he would have missed his mother. Perhaps, next, his wives, daughters, or the rest of his family would show up. He truly hoped they did.

There was no room for argument in his tone, though his eyes betrayed the faintest trace of humor, that glimmer of fond defiance he inherited from no one but himself.

After a heartbeat of silence, he added under his breath, almost wryly, Besides, if I let the Empress-that-never-was ruin her fur in a swamp, the ancestors would start haunting me by dawn.

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