I drifted through darkness, floating somewhere between dreams and reality. Scattered memories swirled around me—Kaelen's desperate face, Lyra's glowing hands, the sensation of golden warmth spreading through my veins. Most importantly, a tiny thread of connection tugging at my heart: my bond with Rhys.
When I finally opened my eyes, the harsh fluorescent lights made me wince. I blinked several times, the sterile hospital room slowly coming into focus. The first face I saw was Kaelen's—those green eyes watching me with such intensity it stole my breath.
"Seraphina," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.
I tried to speak, but my throat felt like sandpaper. Kaelen quickly reached for a cup of water with a straw and helped guide it to my lips. The cool liquid was heavenly.
"Rhys," I managed to croak after a few sips. "Is he—"
"He's perfect," Kaelen said, stroking my hair back from my face. "He's sleeping in the nursery. The nurses are watching him like hawks."
