Seraphine's POV
Two hands grabbed under my shoulders, and suddenly the world turned back from water into air. I coughed—first nothing, then everything. Water slid down my throat, then gushed out, warm and bitter but freeing. Darius didn’t release me until my body found its own weight again. His face was close above mine, his voice steady:
“Seraphine. Look at me. Here. Exhale slowly. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
The sentences were short, controlled—meant to hold me in the world.
“Zoey!” Cassian’s voice cut sharply through the chamber. “Here. Now. Elias from the washroom!”
Their commands didn’t clash. They locked into place.
“I’m here.” Zoey was already kneeling beside me, pressing her kerchief to my mouth to draw out what water remained. “Breathe… yes, just like that.” Her fingers were
