"You kissed me…" Selene murmured, still lying against the cool floor tiles.
Her voice trembled with equal parts wonder and mischief.
"And what did you do to me, huh?"
She teased, lifting both corners of her mouth into a genuine, radiant smile.
"Please don't tell me I was inside you, doing something perverted."
Her chuckle tinkled like broken glass—familiar. The same curve of her lips, the same spark in her eyes I'd seen in Helena's stolen memories, now alive in Selene herself.
"Idiot," I snapped, though I couldn't stop the tears that welled and streamed down my cheeks, tracking hot rivulets across my face.
"This is not right the time to joke around, you freak."
My voice cracked, betraying me. I buried my face in my hands and wept. These were not tears of defeat, but of triumph so profound it burned: joy, relief, gratitude, and the ache of every loss I'd endured to bring her back.
Is this what true love is? I thought, between ragged breaths.
