Page 159 of Savage Crown

As if she had been holding it for too long.

Too long for any normal human.

My blood turns to ice.

"Seraphina," I say, my voice rough, almost unwilling to ask the question clawing at the edges of my mind.

Her head tilts slightly, a small crease forming between her brows.

"Yes?"

I press a hand to her chest, right over her heart.

It beats far too slow.

Like she isn’t fully alive.

Like she is something else now.

Something in between.

She watches me carefully, then smiles—soft, small.

As if nothing is wrong.

As if everything isn’t wrong.

I shift, propping myself up on one elbow.

The shadows stretch across the cave walls, flickering over the treasure that still waits in the ruined chamber beyond us.

The gold is untouched.

The riches we nearly died for gleam in the dim light.

But it doesn’t matter.

She is different.

And I can’t shake the feeling that I did this to her.

She reaches for me, pressing a palm to my cheek.

Her fingers are cold.

Colder than before.

And yet, her touch is the same.

Her eyes search mine, something knowing and quiet in her expression.

"You’re afraid," she whispers.

I don’t deny it.

"You’re different," I murmur.

She doesn’t blink.

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