Rose’s POVThe pain didn’t last long.But the echo of it?That stayed.Like something had just… warned me.Not hurt me.Warned me.I was still in Kael’s arms when it faded, my fingers gripping his shirt without even realizing it.My breathing was uneven.Too fast.Too loud in my own ears.“Rose.”His voice was lower now.Careful.Like he didn’t want to trigger something again.“I’m okay,” I said.But it came out weak.Not convincing.Not even close.His hands didn’t leave me.Good.Because I didn’t think I could stand properly if he did.“It reacted,” I whispered.I didn’t even know why I said it out loud.Maybe because keeping it in felt worse.Kael’s jaw tightened.“To me.”Not a question.A statement.I nodded slowly.“Yeah.”My throat felt dry.“It didn’t like what you said.”A small silence passed between us.Heavy.Then—“That means it’s aware,” he said.Aware.The word settled in my chest like a stone.“I think it’s more than that,” I admitted quietly.Because awareness didn’t
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