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"What are you talking about?" Severin said, his voice turning into a growl

The horn sounded again It was enuinely enjoyed my time here I wouldn’t trade these last fewthis for your sake, you deserve to be happy"

"Elle?"

Elle could hear the h snow She threw her arms around Severin’s neck and whispered, "Severin, I love you"

Light flared, tearing Severin away and throwing Elle to the ground

Elle pushed herself to her knees, wincing as Severin howled in pain "Severin!" she screa in the sudden wind

Severin’s bones snapped and crackled as they rearranged and reforu cat muzzle flattened His fur retreated to his hairline or fell out entirely--Elle couldn’t tell which in the bright light

Severin’s claws disappeared, his hands softened, and within roaned and collapsed in the snow

Elle lurched to her feet "Severin, are you ok?" she asked, crouching next to him

Elle held her hand an inch above Severin’s shoulder, wondering if it would hurt him if she touched him

Her worry died when Severin pushed his hair out of his face and sat up, looking to her

Elle recognized him from the portrait Emele had shown her in the library He was older now, taller with broad shoulders His charcoal black hair spilled over his shoulders, and his eyes were still ah they had normal, circular pupils He had wrinkles on his forehead and at the top bridge of his nose--probably fro He had a full lower lip, and a stubborn chin

He was muscled and athletic from his years as a soldier, and while he did not have the saood looks as Prince Lucien, he was undeniably aristocratic and handsome, far beyond the likes of Elle

Severin blinked once, cracking his jaw He traced his face with his hands before looking at his bare feet "I’m hu like distant peals of thunder, although she suspected he would no longer sound so guttural when angry "Are you hurt?"