“Hey, Torric. Thought you could use—” He stops mid-sentence, eyes locking on me. “Holy shit. You’re awake.”
His voice doesn’t change—still controlled—but his face shows his surprise, and settles on relief.
“Nevermind, Torric. It’s for her.”
Torric sits up straighter, eyes widening in mock betrayal. “Excuse me?”
Aspen ignores him entirely and sets the tray on the table beside me.
“Betrayal,” Torric mutters, crossing his arms dramatically. “In my hour of need.”
I almost laugh. This time I manage not to wince.
Aspen’s mouth twitches—barely, but it’s there—as he straightens and meets my gaze.
“How are you feeling?”
“Sore. Weak. Alive.”
“That’s better than the alternative.”
His ice-blue eyes flick toward Torric—assessing him, not speaking.
“The others?” I ask.
“Malrik and Finn are talking to the village leaders,” Aspen says. “Making sure we’re clear to stay as long as we need.”
“Revna?”
“Returned to the sanctuary after she escorted us here. She’ll check in again soon.”
I nod slowly, processing. Then: “Darian?”
Torric’s jaw tightens. “Still bound. Quiet.”
There’s something in the way he says it. Something I’m missing.
But before I can ask, my memory flickers.
“The creature?”
“Dead,” Torric confirms. “Revna made sure of it.”
Relief washes through me, followed immediately by exhaustion.
Aspen watches me carefully. “You should eat. Rest.”
“I will.”
He doesn’t look convinced, but he doesn’t push. Just nods once and steps toward the door.
“Aspen?”
He pauses, glancing back.
“Thank you.”
His expression softens—just a fraction. “Always,” he says, like it’s not a promise but a fact.
