Kora’s POV
The sunlight that broke through the clouds over the mountain looked almost unreal—like the world was trying to pretend nothing had happened. The storm was gone, but the silence it left behind was heavy. Every sound—every shift of snow beneath our boots—echoed too loud, too sharp.
We made our way down the ridge slowly. My body ached with every movement, the lingering warmth of the merged flame and frost pulsing in my veins like a second heartbeat. Edward walked beside me, his eyes flicking toward me every few seconds. He didn’t say it, but I could feel his worry.
I didn’t blame him. I wasn’t sure what I’d become either.
“Do you feel different?” he asked finally.
I took a deep breath, the cold air stinging my lungs. “Yes. And no.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one
