We stepped off the bridge, the cold stone under our feet a welcome relief from the swaying, creaking path we had just crossed. Han Yihong's fiery wings blazed behind us.
The air around us was still, thick with the scent of age and decay, but at least for the moment, the buzzing swarm of bugs seemed to have retreated into the darkness behind us. I glanced at Yihong, expecting him to dismiss his wings.
"You should keep them active," I said quickly, sensing his hesitation. "We're not out of danger yet."
His eyes fdarted towards me, dark and unreadable. "You want me to waste energy for no reason?"
"It's not a waste if it keeps the bugs away, is it?"
Yihong exhaled sharply through his nose, clearly not pleased with my suggestion. His fiery wings crackled with raw power, the heat from them causing the air to shimmer slightly. But he said nothing, just turned away and continued walking, his wings still blazing behind him.
