Lion Head Mesa the serpent goddess

leshen's gaze hardened in hatred. qiao withstood the vengeful glare with patience.

many men -- and some women -- had looked upon her in such a way. some in their final moments.

but he was being spared. she hoped he knew it was not out of the generosity of her own heart -- they were beasts that each brought each other something. their relationship could be symbiotic, if given time.

she remained for some time after leshen snatched the bolus and made camp elsewhere. that last look burned in her memory -- the way he'd parted with a glare that would have withered her long ago, if she had not died already.