Outside the dream, Ming Yue's body convulsed again.
Qi Longwei stormed into the cabin, robes dishevelled, aura thunderous.
"You gave her what?" he roared at Louis.
"A spirit-forged alchemy vial," Louis said calmly. "Shi Feng administered it. Yan tried to stop it when the backlash began."
"And you let him?"
Yan stepped forward, quiet but firm. "She would have died without it. You weren't there."
Longwei's jaw clenched. He moved to Ming Yue's side—her body slick with sweat, aura pulsing erratically beneath her skin. The red stone necklace seared a glowing circle into her collarbone.
"Send for the Phoenix alchemists. Now." Qi Longwei roared.
"The dragons shall follow as well." Yan vouched.
"You have done enough. Please let our family heal."
"Please let us know if you require us." Yan's voice laced with endearment—and begging.
Qi Longwei frowned briefly, nodded and headed out to see the preparations.
…
She was carried on a floating jade pallet to the inner chamber of the Qi manor, where ancient warding runes flickered as Phoenix alchemists worked in quiet concentration. Steam curled from incense bowls filled with crushed moon herbs, phoenix feathers, and bloodroot.
"Her nerves are rejecting the awakening," said one. "They must be softened."
Qi Shen Fei entered, pale and trembling. He rolled up his sleeve without prompting.
"Use my blood," he said. "She's, my twin. If it hurts me—it'll balance hers."
Qian Fei cried softly in the corner.
Even the servants spoke less now.
Ming Yue floated.
Between Princess Yue's memories and her mortal surroundings.
She heard Longwei pacing. Qian Fei begging the heavens. Shen Fei gritting his teeth as the blood draw continued. Mei Lin sleepless. Zhang Jia whispering silent prayers at the phoenix alter.
And… these two men named Yan and Louis visiting her every now and then. Louis leaving her folded notes each visit.
She also saw Old Lu… slipping in and out of her chamber with scrolls hidden up his sleeves. He murmured something about, "They don't remember the fifth mark. But she does…"
Ming Yue tried to speak. Her lips didn't move.
She was burning.
And blooming.