The moment Tian disappeared down the hallway, Umi scooped Hua Lang up against her chest and carried him toward the stairs.
"Come on, let's go somewhere more comfortable."
Hua Lang barely had time to blink before they were climbing, his hooves dangling over her forearm, her heartbeat thumping against his side. She was still humming under her breath, the same tuneless little sound she had been making all morning. It vibrated through her ribs and into his skin.
Her room turned out to be the one at the end of the corridor. The door swung open, and Umi stepped inside without ceremony, still carrying him, still humming.
Then she stopped.
Hua Lang looked up. He had never been in here before.
