Chapter 44: Echoes in the Flame
The mountain trembled — just slightly, like a sigh held too long. But in the silence of the shrine courtyard, it felt deafening.
Murong Jing He stepped forward instinctively, shielding Mei Xiao with his body.
"Stay behind me," he ordered.
Mei arched a brow. "Did I miss a sign somewhere that said Damsel in Distress: Please Wait Here?"
He turned his head just enough to give her the look — a deadly mix of royal authority and worried husband. Honestly, it would've been kind of sweet if it wasn't so frustratingly attractive.
"…Fine," she muttered, "but if a monster eats you, I'm suing the heavens."
A faint smile ghosted across his lips.
Just then, an ember floated into the air from the shrine fire.
One.
Then two.
Then a hundred.
Mei Xiao blinked. The world around her blurred slightly. The courtyard faded—not disappearing, but shifting. Twisting. Time slowed.
"Jing He?" she called, but he didn't respond.
Everything was quiet.
Too quiet.
A figure appeared in front of her, rising from the embers—herself, but not quite. Dressed in golden armor, hair burning with streaks of flame, eyes like molten stars.
The woman—the Phoenix Queen—looked at her with a gaze that felt like both a blessing and a burden.
"You were not meant to awaken yet," she said softly. "But danger forces the flame to rise."
Mei Xiao swallowed. "What are you—what am I?"
"You are a shard," the Queen replied. "A piece of me. But also more. Your choices are your own."
Then the Queen's voice turned colder.
"But know this: the man you love—his bloodline is not what you think."
"What does that mean?"
Before she could answer, everything snapped back.
---
Jing He was shaking her gently. "Mei Lin. Wake up."
She gasped, stumbling back into her body like crashing into reality.
"What… what just happened?"
"You blacked out for a moment." He frowned. "Are you hurt?"
"No." She looked up at him. "But… I think I just met myself."
He blinked. "Come again?"
"Long story. Short version: flaming goddess version of me says your bloodline is shady."
Murong Jing He stared at her. "You… spoke to the Phoenix Queen?"
"I was the Phoenix Queen. Kind of. It's weird. I'm still processing."
His expression changed—but she couldn't read it. Was it surprise? Guilt?
Or something else?
"Murong Jing He," she asked slowly, "what do you know about your family's past?"
He turned his eyes to the horizon.
"…Enough to know it will destroy me. And maybe you too."
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