Page 146 of Daughter of the Serpent

Axel moved like a phantom through the trees, his steps a whisper despite the force behind them. His pace was merciless, his body wound tight with something barely restrained. He hadn’t slowed once since storming from the temple, hadn’t spared a word - only brief, burning glances to make sure she was still at his side.

Sylvie struggled to keep up, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her legs aching from the effort. Twigs snapped underfoot, branches clawing at her skin as she fought to match his relentless stride. Then, at last, beneath the dense cover of the trees, he stopped.

The moment he turned, she felt the weight of him - like a storm gathering, curling around the edges of the horizon. His chest heaved, his breath sharp and uneven. His eyes burned, dark and ominous.

“What happened, Sylvie?”

Her pulse pounded against her ribs.

“Haldor found me… he - ” She swallowed hard.

Axel took a step closer, his heat rolling over her like a wave of fire.

“He.What.” His voice was cut from iron, each syllable slow, measured - dangerous.

“He kissed me.” The words tumbled out, and then - before he could react - “To get me caught.”

Stillness.

A lethal quiet.

Axel’s breath halted as the information landed. His jaw locked so tight the muscle twitched. His hands curled into fists - knuckles paling.

“He did it to protect me,” she rushed out, desperation lacing her voice. But even to her own ears, the excuse sounded hollow. “He thought it would spare me from the trials.”

Axel exhaled sharply through his nose, his control razor - thin.

“Stop.”

She stilled.

“Stop defending him, Sylvie.”

The words were low, dark. Deadly.

“He didn’t protect you. He chose to betray you.” His voice dipped further, like a blade cutting swiftly between the ribs. “He handed you over to Rederick like a coward - put his own fear aboveyou.”

The words hit like a fist to the chest.

Sylvie parted her lips, scrambling for a response - something, anything - but nothing came.

She stilled.

“Sylvie!”

The voice shattered the moment.

No.

Not now.

Not here.

Sylvie squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself not to turn. Not to see him. The wound was too fresh, raw and unstitched. Just the sound of his voice made her chest tighten, made the air feel too thin.

“Sylvie, listen to me - ”

The voice was closer now, a step, then another.

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