Zavier returned with the bowl of porridge, placing it carefully on the small round table. Just as he was about to lift Selena from the bed to eat, her voice stopped him.

“It’s different,” she said softly, leaning back against the headboard.

Zavier froze mid-movement, momentarily stunned. It took him a moment to understand what she meant.

Selena’s gaze met his, her voice even quieter now, weighted with something indefinable. “You’re ...