The moment the voice reached him, Evan was on alert.
He had just woken up and hadn't had time to properly assess his surroundings. He had assumed he was alone, clearly, he had been wrong.
That said, beyond being caught off guard, there was another reason why he immediately turned toward the source of the voice.
It sounded familiar.
There, seated on what appeared to be a simple chair made of of ice, was the same woman whose heart he had stolen. Literally.
He could feel the connection through that heart even now, which confirmed it beyond any doubt. This wasn't an illusion or a trick. It was her.
Seraphine, seeing his expression, let a small, mischievous smile cross her face.
"Oh, don't tell me you're disappointed. Were you expecting someone else?" she asked, her tone carrying something deliberately ambiguous.
At those words, Evan found himself momentarily without a response. Strangely, it had the effect of settling something in his chest, and he was able to think more clearly.
