Shui Yi gasped for air, her limbs aching, her vision swimming as she struggled to sit up. She rubbed her temples as she scanned her surroundings before her gaze landed on Ling Yue. "W-what happened?"
Her companion exhaled, expression unusually gentle as she tucked a loose strand of silver hair behind the mermaid's ear, briefly avoiding her gaze. "I didn't know mermaids could drown. Lucky for you, I came just in time."
The mermaid grimaced, her mind foggy as exhaustion embraced her. She slumped into Ling Yue's outstretched arms. The guardian stiffened, a flicker of unease crossing her face. She briefly hesitated before allowing the mermaid princess to lean against her, giving her an awkward pat.
Shui Yi's eyes wandered toward Long Fei, searching for his expression. But he remained exactly where he had been. He didn't bother to come for her? His figure seemed distant, unfathomable. Her chest tightened, but fatigue quickly dulled the sharp sting of disappointment. She swayed, her vision blurring again as her body succumbed to weariness. As darkness crept in, her breath came in shallow gasps. Her final glimpse was of his cold, impassive expression.
Ling Yue glanced down at the unconscious mermaid, her brow furrowing. "And... she's out." Relief washed over her as she no longer needed to keep up the facade.
***
Long Fei leaped from the crag on the opposite side of the river, like a falling leaf, landing beside them silently. He placed a hand on his guardian, who immediately handed Shui Yi over to him. His expression softened with concern as he gently leaned her against his shoulder, feeling the warmth of her body against his. He pressed two fingers lightly to her wrist. Her pulse was faint but not critical, a flicker of life enduring. Exhaling slowly, he channeled his qi into her, warmth radiating from his palm as he dried her. The golden glow of his qi wrapped around her like a gentle cocoon. There was no need to distance himself now. Not when she was unconscious.
Ling Yue shuffled aside, rummaged through her satchel, pulling out a small mortar and pestle. Her brows furrowed, eyes focused as she began grinding a mixture of herbs with vigor. The faint aroma of crushed medicinal herbs filled the air, mingling with the crisp scent of the night. She added another pinch of healing essence. The grinding sound was rhythmic, almost meditative, along with the trickle of the waterfall. "Shui Yi's outdone herself again," she murmured as she continued to prepare the herbs, shaking her head.
Long Fei didn't reply, his eyes remaining focused as he continued to tend to Shui Yi, the golden light from his hands weaving through her until her pale complexion began to regain color. After a moment, he read her pulse and asked, "The remedy?"
His guardian nodded, carefully scraping the powdered herbs from the stone into a small bowl. She summoned a water orb in her palm and swiftly whirled it with the herbs, eyes intent on the task. Once the concoction was complete, she said, "Maybe I should feed her."
He nodded, and a silent exchange passed between them. He leaned forward and gently tilted Shui Yi's head back, his thumb resting on her chin. Her lips parted slightly. Ling Yue waved her hands, and the concoction floated out of the bowl and into the mermaid's mouth. She stirred at the bitter taste, coughed, but was too weak to protest. He waited for the medicine to take effect, his fingers lightly brushing through her damp hair as if offering a silent comfort.
Once the bitter remedy had taken effect, he gently wrapped the unconscious mermaid's arms around his neck and carried her past the river, out of the valley, and up the rugged path to the shrine. He laid her down beside Ling Yue, who sat guard as she prepared more remedies for their journey ahead. Then he stepped away to gather wood, steadying himself as he reminded his heart to keep its distance.
The only sound in the shrine was the crackling of the hearth fire, casting flickering shadows on the walls. The distant stars outside the shrine, half-hidden by the creeping mist, offered little comfort to the growing sense of unease settling in the air. Long Fei leaned back against the wall, his gaze drifting to the open window, catching a sliver of the night sky. There was no immediate threat; only the eerie quiet that blanketed everything. In the distance, fireballs flickered, raining down again. Though they were far off, his chest still tightened.
He sat by Shui Yi, his presence a quiet anchor in the silence. Though unconscious, her breathing grew stronger, her head resting against the woven mat beneath her. He pressed her wrist, feeling the steady pulse beneath his fingers. A flicker of relief passed through him, and he nodded once to Ling Yue. His guardian puffed her chest, flicking her hair back with a flourish. Then her eyes widened as she also noticed the flicker of light in the distance. She gave him a knowing look and opened her mouth, about to speak. He placed a finger on his mouth, his eyes shifting toward the mermaid, and he shook his head. She nodded, pursed her lips, and continued grinding more medicine.
Minutes turned to hours, the fire slowly burned down to embers, and the air grew colder, adding to the growing sense of dread that seemed to hang over them. Long Fei's gaze drifted toward the distant horizon. He remained silent, his thoughts heavy. He had dreaded this moment. He had hoped he would have more time. Now he wondered how the King of Merfolk was faring against the Phoenix Empress and his brother.
The night sky darkened rapidly, the stars flickering weakly through the mist. A heavy silence blanketed the shrine, broken only by the distant rumble of thunder. The Realm seemed to be on the brink of a furious storm. With a sudden gust, the wind howled, and the first crack of lightning split the sky. Rain began to pelt the shrine, its relentless rhythm battering their sanctuary.