Weiwei touched the engraving.
"The dragon represents you. The phoenix represents me."
She took a breath before continuing.
"I cannot change the years we lost in the first—"
Weiwei stopped herself.
Mo Shian noticed but did not interrupt.
"I cannot change the pain I caused before," she corrected. "But I can decide what kind of wife I will be from now on."
Her finger traced the phoenix's wings.
"The phoenix is behind the dragon because I want you to know that I will stand beside you even when you cannot see me."
Mo Shian's eyes darkened with emotion.
"You don't have to remain behind me."
"I know."
Weiwei smiled.
"We will stand shoulder to shoulder. But a pendant has a front and a back, and I thought you would complain if I put the phoenix on top of the dragon."
"I would not complain."
"You would become jealous of a carving."
Mo Shian considered denying it but decided against lying.
"If the phoenix covered the dragon completely, I might question the design."
