There were guards everywhere, heads bowed low as they passed through the inner chambers.
The moment Yan Wuhen released Ningyan's hand, Ningyan turned toward the bed.... Only to be pulled back.
"What are you—"
The spirit mate chain materialized between them, glowing a steady red-gold. Wuhen stared at it intently, jaw tight.
"Why didn't you tell me," he said quietly, "that you were meeting Lan Meishan to activate your core?"
"Like I said—" Ningyan took a step back.
The chain snapped taut.
Pain flared at his neck as he was yanked forward. Ningyan hissed and glared up at Wuhen.
"I didn't know it would take that long."
He didn't say that his core was still fragile. Still at risk of shattering.
Wuhen's frustration bled through his expression. "I was helping you build a foundation, and you chose not to tell me you were fixing your core. With Lan Meishan of all beasts."
"He's not a danger," Ningyan shot back. "He helped me."
