He plays her question faithfully, letting the energy flow through him and into the strings.

The melody that returns is again not one he knows, and the lyrics are not relayed in the ancient language -- but the feeling comes through clearly, the meaning flowing through the music and into his mind.

"She says that you may be unlovable monsters," Lan Wangji repeats, "but you are not alone, and that she will love you if you love her."