I felt as if my blood were thickening, growing heavier with each beat of my fragile heart, threatening to shatter under the strain. My breathing came in ragged gasps as I locked eyes with Caspian, silently pleading for clarity.

“What... what am I turning into?” I whispered, my voice trembling with anxiety. “Caspian, what am I becoming?!” The question tore from my lips in a desperate cry.

“Thalassa, calm down,” he urged, springing to his feet and gripping my shoulders. “Look at me. ...