And I know he does.
The corner of his mouth curves, and his eyes somehow seem to shine brighter.
“I should go.”
“Mhmm,” I hum, unable to form actual words with so much contact.
I close my eyes.
“I will go.” His voice is firmer this time, and suddenly, I don’t feel him anymore.
I open my eyes, and Jax is gone, and I think—no, I know—that surviving the third trial will be the easy part.
It’s survivinghimthat might just tear me apart.
Chapter 23
Serafina
“Hold still,” Ishla demands as she tugs and pulls at my hair, weaving my long, dark strands into an intricate braid I wouldn’t dare try to replicate. Her fingers move with practiced precision, like she’s done this countless times before, and I wonder if, like me, Ishla had sisters.
“Is it almost done?” I ask, once again resisting the urge to lift my gaze toward the mirror.
She chuckles. “Patience, Serafina. You’re going to love it.” She continues to work my hair exactly how she wants it, and after a particularly aggressive tug, she stops.
“There,” she says, her voice awestricken. “It’s perfect.”
She takes a step back, and for a moment, I can’t bring myself to move. I keep my eyes lowered, afraid of what I might see.
Finally, I lift my head.
The sight steals my breath, and I gasp.
My hand rises to my cheek, needing to feel my skin to confirm that the girl in the mirror is truly me.
“I look—”
“Beautiful? Breathtaking? Like a gods-damned princess?” Ishla offers, crossing her arms with a smug smile, clearly pleased with her handiwork.
“Not like myself,” I say in return because it’s true. I’ve never worn makeup before.
The soft hues she’s chosen highlight my features in ways I never imagined possible. Subtle lines accentuate my eyes, making my dark irises seem somehow vibrant. My lashes appear longer, and my lips, now softly tinted, look fuller.
But it’s my hair that truly leaves me speechless. The braid is a masterpiece, and Ishla has outdone herself. Each side of my head matches the other, one thick braid with numerous smaller ones all meeting at the back and woven together, creating one long piece she’s thrown over my shoulder.
“You are stunning.”Nyxa’s words slip into my mind. When I finally process her comment, my jaw drops.
“You can see me?”I continue to study my reflection, and then I remember what Jax had once said when talking about Ajja.Oftentimes, I prefer viewing the world through his eyes.
I didn’t realize he meant itliterally.
“I can.”
“Can I do the same? See through your eyes?”
“You could.”Her voice trails off.“A lesson for another day. You have a busy night ahead of you.”
I smile at her words.
