The Bellmother's wound began freezing while Jiang was still learning how to breathe again.
Frost climbed from the torn lower river in a white line. It crossed exposed amber tissue without following any vein, paused when the distant red lantern dimmed, and moved again with its next pulse.
Living flesh tried to close above it.
The two edges met beneath Jiang's root.
He pushed himself upright.
His bitten leg folded before his intent had reached the rest of his body. One knee struck wet bark. The failed wing opened for balance and sent pain through the shoulder hard enough to blur the wound below.
Aylin caught herself before catching him.
"May I cover your side?"
Cold air entered the bare gap along his flank. Jiang wanted the red lantern, the diver, and the season seed before any of them moved beyond reach. Wanting did not put oil back in his feathers.
He touched her offered wrist with the unbroken side of his beak.
