(VAL POV):
When I woke up I became quickly aware of a pain in my rib every time I tried to breathe. I knew I was in the hospital without having to see it. I had ended up in this bed enough times to know it. I opened my eyes to the white ceiling and tried to assess the damage that was done.
My ribcage was burning with every breath. My muscle tendons felt ripped to shreds. I couldn't tell if my lung was punctured or just bruised but it hurt like hell.
After a moment I looked around the room and my eyes landed on Liana who was sleeping on the hospital guest couch across from me. I frowned a little, she was too far for me to smell the coconut over the smell of my blood. I relaxed into the bed more, knowing she was nearby. I hadn't seen her in days which meant I hadn't slept in days- even before my run in with the wooden spike.
The memory of it provoked an involuntary groan from me and Liana started to wake up from the sound. I remained quiet, hoping not to do or say anything which would cause her to leave.
When she saw me blinking back at her, she sighed in relief and sat upright.
"How are you feeling?"
I groaned and shook my head. With the state of my ribs being what it was, speaking was going to be something of a curse. She walked over to me and examined my face curiously. I remembered her touch when she caressed my face before I passed out and I itched for her to touch me again.
Her eyes were focused as she looked me over. Making sure I wasn't at the risk of dropping dead in front of her. Then she went to step away and I tugged at her shirt.
She furrowed her brows and stared down at me nervously.
"Whats wrong?"
"Don't leave."
My throat was croaking and dry. Speaking made the stitches across my abdomen stretch dangerously. Liana seemed to be mildly hurt by my words and she shook her head.
"I'll be right back. Your brother is freaking out, I'm sure he wants to know that you're awake."
As reasonable as she was being, watching her leave was the last thing in the world I wanted. I would have punctured my lung on the other side too if that's what it took to make her stay. I frowned until she touched my hand with hers gingerly.
"I promise, I'll be right back."
The music of her voice soothed me. I leaned into her touch hungrily but turned my head away from her so she could go without feeling too guilty for it. The more I came out of my sleep the more my pain started to distract me from my other concerns. I could faintly feel my chest wheezing with each breath. I was fairly sure my bottom two ribs had been broken. I wondered if Liam had explained what happened to anyone yet.
Just as I started to try and move to search for Liana again, Liam barged into the room and rushed over to my bedside. Liana followed behind him quietly. Lingering the way a doe in the forest might as she crept over to the edge of my bed, like she wasn't meant to be there.
"Oh my God you're okay."
Liam had been through the ringer, really, he looked awful. His mate Diana had surely been trying to make him eat and stop worrying but Liam was too much of a worrier not to. He worried way too much. I smiled at him and he shouted for the doctors to come in.
They pulled my gown back and examined my wounds and cleaned them again which burned. I watched Liana the whole time. When they rebandaged me I hissed from the pain- causing her to cover her mouth with her hands. When she caught me staring she looked away, cheeks turning pink.
The doctor spoke to me about my healing progression and how much longer I'd be in. He explained I actually broke three ribs and lost a quart of blood in the mix of it all and warned me I better not get out of bed or do anything for four days at minimum.
I wanted to thank him but speaking kind of made it feel like the stitches would rip so I stayed silent. He turned back to me and made me promise to drink eight cups of water a day. The doctor warned my brother I shouldn't leave the territory again for at least a month.
"Of course not, I understand."
Liam being serious was such a funny, disorienting thing to me but as we had grown older he had gotten so much more stoic. It was almost normal to me for him to act that way but truthfully, he was hardly old enough to be a man. I wondered what Rosaura would think if she could see him now.
When the doctor left Liam eyed Liana like he wanted to say something but didn't. He had been angry since we left her packlands. Not at her directly but his anger leaked over to her and I could sense it. Personally I couldn't have pretended to hate her if I wanted to, not even a little bit. From the moment I saw her I knew I could never hate her.
Liam told me to rest up and finally spoke to Liana, albeit rudely.
"Watch her, okay?"
Liana nodded, still avoiding my stare. Part of me was angry she would meet his eyes and not mine but I knew why. She seemed really uncomfortable to have seen me in this state. I was going to try to tell her to come closer when she interrupted me.
"I think your brother wants me dead."
I almost laughed but the pain in my ribs made me wince instead. Then I shook my head. When she realised I couldn't really speak she went quiet. After a moment of debating she dragged one of the guest chairs over to the edge of my bed and took a seat. With her nearby I felt myself relax further.
"You should sleep. You look exhausted."
I felt my eyelids get heavy and resolved to do whatever she asked, always.