The moment I feel her warmth, something in my chest loosens.
I pull her against me, fitting around her like I was made for it.
She stirs. “Seraphina,” I say softly, like any wrong tone might shatter her.
“You feel too real,” she murmurs. “I can’t breathe without you.”
My lips brush her ear. “Then breathe with me, Dove.”
Yeah. Could’ve said that better.
She tenses, touching my arm.
“I’m sorry I took so long, baby,” I whisper. “I’m here.”
Her fingers find my ring.
“I don’t want this to be a dream.”
“Sera,” I say softly, like any wrong tone might shatter her.
Her eyes open—but they don’t find me.
Not really.
They pass over me like I’m a memory she hasn’t decided to believe in yet.
“I’m dreaming again,” she murmurs, as tears fall from her eyes.
It hits me so hard I can’t breathe for a second.
No.
Her hand lifts slowly, trembling in a way that makes something in me twist.
She touches my face.
Her fingertips trace my jaw.
“You always feel like this,” she whispers faintly. “Like you’re here… but not.”
My throat tightens.
I don’t move.
I can’t.
Her hand drifts down—pressing flat against my chest.
Her brows pull together slightly.
Confusion flickers through her expression like a crack in glass.
“…you’re warm. I can feel your…I can feel your heartbeat,” she whimpers.
Her breath stutters.
Her eyes widen like something inside her just recognized the truth and couldn’t survive it.
