“...” Naran stared at the girl, speechless. He realized, very quickly, that continuing this conversation with her was a terrible idea.0

He was not quick with words, never had been. And the young woman before him? She was cunning, sly, a spirit in human skin. The more he said, the deeper she would drag him in.0

So Naran drained the last of the direwolf milk, then reached out to hoist her up again.0

However, Meng Xingxian was faster, already straddling the back of a massive two-headed direwolf. She scooted forward, patted the space behind her, and smiled. “Come on up. This kind of beast is barely worthy of being your mount. Everything is falling into ruin around us…but we’ll only grow stronger. One day, when this land gives birth to a three-headed direwolf, that will be the mount you truly deserve.”0

“I’m not riding.” Naran growled.0

“You already are. I’m already carrying your child,” Meng Xingxian said,...1