Page 102 of The Mourning Throne
It was supposed to come out of Lex’s mouth. Not stay stuck, bouncing around his head.
Lex opened his mouth, but only a weird, choked sound followed. Everything was still shaking, too tight, ribcage fluttering like it was about to crack.
Morgan didn’t let him move. Didn’t soothe. He just held Lex’s wrists, pressed against the soaked fabric of his shirt.
“One more time.”
Lex shook his head.
His chest felt hollow, like something had caved in, and his teeth wouldn’t stop clicking against each other. But Morgan didn’t react. Not with anger, not with comfort—just with that unflinching certainty that made Lex’s stomach twist.
“Breathe in.”
I can’t do this.
“Hold it.”
The hand returned to the back of Lex’s head—this time firmer, more certain. No slow descent. No warning.
Morgan pushed him under.
The heat hit first, scalding across Lex’s scalp and down his spine. Then the sound disappeared—no more sloshing water, no breath, no Morgan’s voice. Just the low, eerie throb of blood behind his eyes.
He blinked. Once. Twice.
The world was quiet.
His body jerked automatically, searching for air. But Morgan’s grip was solid. Present. Alive. Lex couldfeelthe fingers at his neck like a collar, anchoring him in place. He wasn’t alone.
He started counting, mouthing the numbers inside the water. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.
Seven. Eight. Nine.
There was a pull—something deep in his chest, fighting now, telling him to panic. His limbs kicked once, jerky and slow. His lungs screamed.
Ten. Eleven. Twelve.
His hands hit Morgan’s forearm, but they didn’t shove. Didn’t beg. They just clung.
He stayed under. Hechoseto stay under.
And then—release.
Morgan yanked him back up into the air, gasping and sputtering and slamming back into sensation all at once. Lex coughed so hard he saw stars, water burning in his throat, his vision swimming.
The world felt toobright.
He sagged forward, but Morgan didn’t let go. Just caught him by the wrists and held them there, crossed against his chest like a makeshift harness.
“Again,” Morgan said, low and controlled.
Lex shook his head—violently this time. His voice cracked when he tried to say no. Nothing came out.
“You’re still thinking,” Morgan said.
Lex’s breath stuttered. His body tensed.
“I need you to trust me,” Morgan continued. “Let everything go quiet for once in your bratty life.”
