Somewhere in the haze, I leaned in.
He smelled warm—like sea breeze and sunlight on water.
My gloved hands fisted in his grass-stained shirt as I started to cry.
Ash lowered his head, like he could shelter me from the world.
His lips brushed my forehead—
a kiss soft and reverent, the kind only Ash could give.
I looked up at him.
Watched his face.
His awe. His fear. His devotion.
My power was drained.
I might only get one chance.
So I reached up—
and I kissed him.
Ash froze, eyes wide—
then melted, his whole expression softening into worship.
He kissed me back like he’d been waiting years, his lips hungry but careful, exploring me like I was something holy.
When I pulled away, breathless and suddenly terrified, he just stared—
stunned, smiling, glowing.
“Seph,” he whispered, like my name was a prayer.
A heavy body landed beside us with a thunderous thud.
Sy.
But I couldn’t hold on any longer.
My body folded in on itself.
Everything went black.
Chapter 39
Kieran
I knew something was wrong when I saw Lyra stumble out of the woods looking terrified.
Guards were already rushing in to the woods. An alarm sounded, sending everyone to their rooms.
And I couldn’t see Seph or Ash anywhere.
Wild stepped out, talking to Ivan in low tones. The next thing I saw was Rod, limping out with blood down his face, his leg clearly broken. The guards surrounded him but the first thing he did was point at Lyra.
