Chapter 41

Syn's hand pressed into the soft warmth, his fingers sinking slightly before realization slammed into him like a cold wave. Purple hair spilled loose across his vision, a cascade of vibrant strands framing a flushed face—Vera, standing there, her cheeks glowing with a shy blush that clashed with the sterile medic room's stark light.

"Can you be a bit more gentle?" she murmured, her voice a soft, hesitant lilt, her eyes darting away as she bit her lip. "I'm still recovering."

Syn yanked his hand back as if burned, his breath catching in his throat, his pulse spiking with a jolt of shock. "Vera!" he exclaimed, his voice cracking as he scrambled upright, disentangling himself from Pako's unguarded hold with a frantic twist.