"Yes, baby!" she giggled, burying her face in his soft, orange hair. "Mama is back!"
"You didn't get eaten by the monkeys!" Yòu Lín cheered, nuzzling her cheek.
The commotion drew the rest of the tribe out of their huts. Mo Xiao and Mò Chéng emerged from the treeline, followed closely by the snake twins, Shé Yì and Shé Èr, who immediately slithered over to inspect her for injuries.
"Eeeeeeee! She's back!" Miao Miao, A-Li, and Xiao Hei tumbled over each other as they raced into the clearing. "The scaly lizard is back too!"
In a flash of light, Cāng Jì shifted back into his human form, adjusting his silks with a heavy sigh. "Well. That is that. My pulse-stabilizer is secure, and my dignity is.….recovering."
Elder Zhào Fēng, the silver wolf, stepped forward respectfully, leaning on his staff. "We are honored by your safe return, Your Radiance. Will you be returning to the Dragon Peaks immediately, or.….will you stay the night?"
Cāng Jì froze.
