The night sky above Shattered Glacier Valley burned with clashing walls of eight-colored fire, golden dragon-spear projections, and howling blizzards of sub-zero blue ice.
High atop the southern granite peak overlooking the mile-wide basin of cracked glacier ice, inside the warm, invisible cabin of the Jade Serpent flying carriage, the soft rhythmic slapping of bare flesh echoed in steady counterpoint to the thunderous explosions booming down in the canyon below.
Alaric stood directly behind the panoramic crystal windowpane, his tall, muscular frame gleaming in the amber glow of the fire-jade braziers.
Pinned on her hands and knees against the padded sill of the window in front of him was Consort Mei, Mei Aoxue, while right beside her knelt Consort Lan, Lan Caihe.
