Lin Yue fell silent.
The anger drained from his face, leaving something far more dangerous—resignation
"Do as you wish," he said softly. "I just… can't treat him the way I treat you."
The words struck deeper than any shout.
Feng Lihan's chest tightened. He reached out slowly, as if afraid Lin Yue might disappear if he moved too fast. His hand settled at the back of Lin Yue's neck, steady and warm.
"I know," Feng Lihan murmured.
He lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to Lin Yue's forehead—not claiming, not demanding—only a promise.
"Nothing replaces you," he said quietly. "Nothing ever will."
Lin Yue closed his eyes for a moment, breathing him in, then stepped back. The distance hurt—but it was allowed.
Mo Shan was already awake when dawn broke.
The eastern ridge lay spread beneath him, shrouded in pale mist. He moved among the warriors with calm precision—adjusting patrol routes, reinforcing sigil lines carved into stone, testing the tension of bowstrings with practiced fingers. His presence carried weight now. Orders were followed without question.
He didn't notice Feng Lihan at first.
Only when the air subtly changed—pressure sharpening, heat threading through the cold—did Mo Shan straighten.
Feng Lihan stood several paces away, crimson wings folded tightly against his back, expression carved from stone.
Mo Shan dismissed the warriors with a short gesture. "Finish reinforcing the third array. Rotate after the sun clears the peak."
They left quickly.
Silence settled.
"You're working too hard," Feng Lihan said.
Mo Shan exhaled, wiping his hands against his gloves. "The clan can't afford weakness."
Their eyes met. Something unspoken hovered between them.
"You spoke to Lin Yue," Mo Shan said quietly. It wasn't a question.
Feng Lihan nodded once. "I did."
Mo Shan's jaw tightened—not with fear, but anticipation. "And?"
"He won't oppose it," Feng Lihan said. His voice was controlled, but the strain beneath it was unmistakable. "But he was honest."
Mo Shan waited.
"He said he can't treat you the way he treats me."
The words landed gently—but firmly.
Mo Shan closed his eyes for a moment. The mountain wind tugged at his hair, cool and grounding.
When he opened them again, there was no bitterness in his gaze.
"I expected that," he said.
Feng Lihan studied him sharply. "You're not disappointed?"
Mo Shan shook his head. "Disappointment would mean I believed I was owed something."
He turned back toward the ridge, checking the alignment of the warding stones as he spoke. "Lin Yue doesn't owe me love. Not now. Not ever."
but one day he feels my love for him.
Feng Lihan stepped closer. "You understand what this means."
"Yes." Mo Shan's hands paused. "It means I stand in your shadow."
"That's not—"
"It is," Mo Shan interrupted gently. He turned, golden eyes steady. "And I'm fine with it."
Feng Lihan frowned. "Why?"
Mo Shan was quiet for a long moment.
then said I love him you know...