The ceiling was too quiet. No council to deal with. No looming threats to think about. Just the low creak of a wooden chair and the soft rhythm of breath—one, calm, feminine breath.
The bed was warm, which meant someone had stayed.
He didn't move right away. Breathing hurt. Everything felt tight—chest, ribs, neck, like his body hadn't unclenched since the fight.
There was a chair beside him. Someone shifted in it. Quiet.
"You're awake," Lunaria said.
Her voice wasn't surprised or worried, just soft as if she already knew he'd wake up right about now.
Nikolai opened his eyes while gazing at the beauty beside him. She sat with both hands in her lap with a straight back and gently curling her lips into a faint smile.. She looked calm, unmoving and relieved.
"How long?" he asked.
"Half a day."
He went to sit up, but she reached forward and pressed two fingers to his sternum. Not hard, but firm enough to keep him where he was.
"Don't. You're still bleeding under the bandages."
