Kaiden stepped forward with a calm expression adorning his features. He extended his hand toward Alexandra, offering her the same steady presence he had shown countless times before.
The blond looked at it for a long moment. Her lips parted slightly as though she wanted to say something, but no words came. Slowly, almost reluctantly, she pulled away from Nyx's embrace and took a small step toward him.
Her hand rose, hovering in the air. She tried to reach for his.
But just before her fingers could close around his palm, her arm stopped. A tremor ran through her wrist. Her eyes widened, and horror flashed across her face, looking as if she was betraying herself.
"Huh?" The sound escaped her in a shocked gasp. She stared at her own trembling hand as if it belonged to someone else. "W-Why…?" Her voice broke, and panic laced each syllable. Tears started spilling before she could stop them. "Why can't I…?"
The moment stretched, raw and painful.
