RISSA
Consciousness crashedover me like a tidal wave, rolling me around in sheer exhaustion that wracked every muscle and joint. I felt like I'd just run a marathon, swam a thousand laps, and caught the flu all at once. The pounding in my head reverberated through my entire being.
Damn, the hangover from flexing my full power always hit like a cargo train. This was the worst it had ever been, but I’d never spent centuries separate from most of my powers either.
I blinked blearily at the blank white ceiling, debating whether to just let myself drift back into oblivion. The mattress felt like it was swallowing me whole, and sleep's seductive call nearly won out.
Nearly. With a small groan, I forced myself to stir, shifting under the covers to let the others know I was awake. Luce's large, calloused hand gripped mine, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on my skin. I snuck a glance at him, drinking in his brooding presence like a tonic.
"Hey," I managed to croak out, my words scraping against my dry throat. "How long was I out?"
"A few days," Bran replied from somewhere to my left. I tore my gaze away from Luce to see Bran, Hugh and Tanni all hovering nearby, their faces etched with varying degrees of concern and relief.
Wow, an audience watching me sleep. That wasn’t unnerving at all.
"You really had us worried there, Rissa," Tanni said, her brow furrowed.
I snorted. "Takes more than a little power surge to take me out. You should know that by now."
Hugh crossed his arms. "Still, that was one hell of a feat. Crazy, but I gotta admit, damn impressive."
I shrugged as much as my aching shoulders would allow. "Just doing what needed to be done. Comes with the territory of being an undercover goddess."
Tanni stepped closer, fidgeting with her sleeves. "We're just glad you're okay. It was touch and go for a bit there."
I waved away her concern, even as a small, traitorous part of me basked in the rare show of genuine care. "I'm fine, really. Nothing a little more rest won't fix."
Luce squeezed my hand, drawing my focus back to him like a magnet. "You really scared me. Don't make a habit of it, okay?"
I swallowed hard, my standard snarky retort dying on my tongue as I met his intense stare. "I'll do my best. No promises though. Trouble seems to find me whether I call him or not."
He cracked a small, wry smile at that. "Don't I know it."
I let my gaze wander, taking in the room properly for the first time. Definitely land-based, no gentle rocking or ocean sounds. The Repupair offices maybe? Hard to say for sure, but it hardly mattered.
What mattered was that we were all here, all in one piece. Miracles did happen after all.
Roma walked in, her smile brightening as she leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Well, well, look who decided to rejoin the land of the living. About time, sleeping beauty."
I snorted. "Hilarious. You should take that act on the road. Audiences everywhere would be in stitches."
"Nah, I'll leave the showbiz to you. Seems more your speed, what with the whole dramatic heroics and all."
I grumbled under my breath, pointedly ignoring her jab. The last thing I needed was everyone making a big fuss over what I'd done. The sooner I faded back into being Rey’s second in command, the better.
Bran cleared his throat, drawing attention away from our banter. "In all seriousness, what you did out there... it was incredible. We owe you a debt of gratitude."
I shifted uncomfortably, unused to such sincere praise from the usually stoic Bran. "Just doing what had to be done. No need to make a big deal out of it."
"It is a big deal, though," Tanni chimed in, her face earnest. "You saved countless lives, Rissa. That's not something to brush off lightly."
I sighed. Appreciation was a foreign sensation, one I wasn't entirely sure how to handle. "Look, can we maybe save the gushing for later? I'm still feeling a bit like roadkill over here."
Hugh read his phone, where he’d been texting. “Rey says, ‘Same old Halo. Deflecting compliments with sarcasm since the dawn of time.’"
"Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it." I shrugged, wincing slightly at the movement. "Besides, you all know me. Heartfelt emotions make me break out in hives."
Luce squeezed my hand again. "Fine, no more compliments, kitten."
