Leo's breath caught in his throat the moment Amaya's glowing gold eyes landed on him—eyes that once sparkled with warmth, irritation, stubbornness… eyes that always softened when she looked at him.
Now they were cold.
Empty.
Ancient.
And worst of all—
They were unfamiliar.
"Amaya," Leo whispered again, voice breaking. "Look at me… please."
Her head tilted slightly, her expression unreadable—like someone trying to remember a language they had long forgotten. Her gaze slid down, tracing his face, his jawline, the faint scars across his neck.
Then she blinked.
Slowly.
Mechanically.
"Leo," she repeated, but the voice was wrong. Too smooth. Too calm. Too… distant. "Yes. This body recalls that name."
Leo's heart dropped.
This body.
Not I.
Not me.
Before he could speak, the First White Tiger stepped forward, fur bristling. "Golden Sovereign," he said in a tone that commanded mountains to bow, "release the girl and return to your dormant state. The vessel is not ready."
