Cold air burned my lungs as I gasped for breath. The world slammed back into me all at once — the smell of smoke, damp soil, blood, and Jax’s arms locked tightly around me. My body jerked as if my heart was trying to remember how to beat.
“Sage—” His voice cracked, rough with pain and disbelief. His hands were trembling as they cupped my face. “Sage, look at me. Please, look at me.”
I blinked, my eyes stinging. The ruins spun around me in a blur of broken stone and flickering moonlight. Jax’s face came into focus — pale, tear-streaked, desperate. His thumb brushed the side of my cheek like he was afraid I’d vanish again.
“I’m here.” I whispered, my voice hoarse.
He made a broken sound, half laugh, half sob, and crushed me against his chest. His heartbeat thundered against my ear. “You
