Zara’s POV
[…]
Atlas’ retreating steps echoed like a fading warning, and I finally exhaled. I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath until he was gone. The tension in the ward seemed to lift instantly, replaced by Zarek’s warm, steady presence.
He pulled a chair closer and sat at my bedside, leaning forward with a grin that softened the tightness in my chest. “gods, you scared me. I thought you’d sleep another week at least.”
I huffed a weak laugh, running my hand over my face. “I thought I had slept another week. How long was I out?”
“Two days,” he said, his grin dimming into something more careful. “They said your body needed time to recover. Dragon-fire takes its toll, apparently.”
The word dragon-fire made my stomach clench, but Zarek’s tone was gentle, not accusing. He leane
