The Mist Islands lay bathed in a pale blue-green glow at dawn, and the sea breeze carried damp mist through the temporary camp. When Han Li woke, Zi Ling was still curled in his arms, her pale purple hair spilling over the crook of his elbow. The Star-Moon Hairpin sat askew in her hair, like a dream from last night that had yet to fade. He gently brushed the loose strands from her forehead, his fingertips touching her cool skin. A faint blush still lingered at the corners of her eyes.
"Awake?" Zi Ling's voice was husky with sleep. Her lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes, amusement shimmering within them. "You're lying on my hair."
Han Li hastily released it, only for her to burrow into his outer robe, leaving just her head exposed like a squirrel hiding away its pinecones. He chuckled and straightened her tousled hair. "I gave you my outer robe. Aren't you afraid of the cold?"
"Not with you here." She tilted her face up, brushing the tip of her nose against his chin. "Han Li, does what you said last night about going to Void Sky Hall together still count?"
Han Li's gaze steadied, and warmth washed through his chest. He reached out to stroke the Star-Moon Hairpin in her hair, rubbing its engraved stars with his fingertip. "Of course it does."
The corners of Zi Ling's eyes curved upward. She suddenly leaned in and pecked his lips. "Then it's settled. In Void Sky Hall, I'll lay the illusion formations, and you'll break formations. Neither of us gets to steal the other's credit."
"All right." Han Li agreed, his gaze settling on the formation flags at her waist. "I reinforced the formation patterns on your Star-Illusion Maze Formation flags."
They rose and tidied the