The journey to Sunland City was fast.
The carriage, drawn by four spirit horses, cut through the blizzard without slowing, unaffected by the biting cold that swallowed the forest paths as they left the Heavenly Realm and crossed back into the Beast Realm.
Ningyan slept through most of it.
Exhaustion clung to him ever since his beast soul awakened, dragging him under no matter how hard he tried to stay alert. He only stirred when the cold seeped through even the thick, fur-lined robes wrapped snugly around his body.
He rubbed his eyes and turned his head.
Yan Wuhen leaned by the window across from him, gazing out at the white-drowned landscape beyond the glass.
"Are we there yet?" Ningyan asked, his voice rough with sleep.
Wuhen closed the window and turned to him, his expression serious.
"We are." He leaned closer. "And you're not leaving my side, Yan'er. Not for a moment. We know Wuyin tried to poison me but whoever shot those arrows at you is still unknown."
