Chapter 20: She and Him - 1

Chapter 20: She and Him - 1

Cixi’s mouth flew open to gasp for air as if she had been dragged from underwater, her lungs burning and her throat raw. When she opened her eyes, her body was flat on the floor, her limbs were cold and heavy against the bare surface.

She sat up with a groaning force and touched her arms, her neck, her stomach. It was solid and not translucent. Her body was warm, not cold. She pressed both palms against her chest and felt her heart hammering behind her ribs. She was back in her body, feeling tangible and alive and not a ghost.

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