Chapter 119
The shift didn't feel different at first, and that was what unsettled Ariana the most. Her hand stayed pressed against Kael's chest, her fingers curled into his shirt as if she could keep him grounded by holding him there. His heartbeat was steady beneath her palm, but something about it felt too even, like it was being held in place instead of moving naturally.
She frowned slightly, her grip tightening as she focused on the rhythm. A second passed, then another, and the longer it stayed steady, the more it bothered her. "Kael," she said quietly, forcing her voice to stay calm. "Look at me."
He was already looking at her, and that was what made her chest tighten. There was no delay, no adjustment, no flicker of recognition settling into place. His gaze stayed fixed on hers, steady in a way that felt wrong, like he hadn't just come back, like he had never left.
