She couldn’t stop her cry of relief. But until she knew the extent of the damage done to his body, she needed to remain focused.
With skilled hands from her years in the infirmary, Gemma palpated and percussed and listened for any signs there was something seriously wrong. From a glance alone, she knew his arm was broken. And, like Imara, he would definitely need to follow concussion protocols—if he woke up at all. She couldn’t be certain he would. If the swelling on his brain was too much...
She stifled a sob.Don’t think like that.
“We’re coming down,” Colton yelled from above.
Gemma touched Christian’s chest, calling his name. She needed to try to rouse him, to see if he evencouldwake up and tell her he was okay.
Imara was the first one to kneel at her side. She said nothing, but her presence alone was a comfort.
Again, Gemma called Christian’s name, patting his chest a little firmer. She couldn’t do a sternal rub in case he had any internal bleeding, but she needed him to wake up.
Hawk knelt at Christian’s feet.
Gemma grabbed Christian’s good hand, removed his glove, and jabbed her fingernail into his thumb’s nail bed. He reflexively pulled his hand away from her, his eyes flitting open. She sat back on her feet and choked on her tears.
Amidst watery eyes, she watched Colton slide down the rope. Despite how standoffish he usually was, he’d come through when they needed him most, accomplishing feats she never would’ve known how to do. How could she repay him for getting her to Christian so quickly?
Christian cursed. “Watch out. That floor’s a little weak.”
The goofy grin that split his face almost made her want to smack him for not being more careful. But it was taking every ounce of energy in her body not to cry into his chest and envelope him in a hug. She had to be cautious until she knew the full extent of the damage the fall did to his body.
“Well, it seems like you found the perfect place for us to camp,” Hawk joked, rolling the shoulder of his injured arm with a wince.
“This was my plan all along.” Christian peeked at Hawk without lifting his head.
Imara snorted. “You’re an idiot.” Her tone was light and playful, and she left a few gentle taps against his good hand before rising from the ground.
Gemma frowned deeply as Imara and Hawk left to join Colton in setting up their shelters. Without medical equipment, there was no sure way to assess the damage Christian had undergone. What if he had a brain bleed or his back was broken?
She didn’t have a choice but to ask him to move and pray he would be fine.
She removed her helmet then his, grateful when no blood came away with it. That piece of equipment may have saved his life.
“Look at me,” she asked, her hands shaking.
Christian turned his head toward her; she tried not to puke.
“Can you feel everything?”
He winced. “Unfortunately.”
A wave of relief washed over her. He wasn’t paralyzed.
“Sit up for me.”
Christian groaned as he obeyed, and Gemma did a quick assessment: He could bend at the waist and move his legs. The arm that wasn’t broken seemed merely bruised. His eyes followed her finger. He claimed even his head and neck didn’t bother him, aside from a slight headache. To come away from a fall like that with just a broken arm...
She pushed hair off his forehead, finally allowing the sigh of relief to flow through her lips. Thank the stars he had.
“Sorry I scared you,” Christian said, his eyes sad.
Gemma planted a kiss on his cheek. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
His stare was intense as he watched her fashion a cast out of spidersilk wrap, the same kind the medical robots had used on her after the physical fitness test. Her cheeks warmed and an embarrassed smile rose on herface.
“Quit staring at me.”
