Chapter 98

SERAPHINA Five days. It has been five days since Kaelos transformed into someone I barely recognize. Five days since he returned from his meeting with Darius with empty eyes and a soul that seemed so deeply wounded. And five days I have watched the man I love slowly crumble before my eyes. I sat on the edge of our bed in the dark morning, staring at Kaelos's back as he faced the other way. He wasn't sleeping—I knew that from the tension in his shoulders, from his irregular breathing. But he was pretending to sleep, as he had done every night since that meeting. Distancing himself. Protecting me from something I didn't even know. But I wasn't a weak girl who needed protection from the truth. I had already died once, reincarnated with memories of a life full of suffering. I knew what it was like to carry a heavy burden alone. And I won't let Kaelos do the same. “Kaelos,” I whispered softly, touching his shoulder gently. He tensed under my touch, but didn't turn around. “I know you're not