Page 62 of Zeke
Voices filtered through the fog.
"—readings are stable, but I want another neural scan in a few hours." Prince Isan's cultured tones. She'd seen him around the garrison, those scars covering his skin like he'd fought a woodchipper and lost.
"She's been out for twelve hours." That was Zeke, his voice cracking with exhaustion. "That's too long."
"Her body went through massive trauma. The abdominal injuries should've killed her instantly." Equipment beeped. She was in medical then. "If you hadn't managed that legion transfer?—"
Memory slammed into her… the monster feral's arm spikes punching through her stomach and the wet sound when it tore them free. Her muscles tensed, bracing for an agony that never came. Instead, the warm presence pulsed reassurance.
"How?" Zeke interrupted. "I didn't know that was possible. Never heard of anyone sharing their legion."
"Neither have I." Isan moved around the room. "But your legion separated itself and formed a protective barrier over her wounds, but more than that… it integrated with her systems. Not a full transfer, just a fragment. Enough to stabilize her during surgery. It actually guided me to where she needed healing most. I've never interacted with one that way before."
Fabric rustled and Zeke's heavier tread moved closer to her bed.
"The blood armor on her stomach... It's gone."
"Absorbed during healing. The legion fragment bonded with her nervous system, though I can't determine how deeply without more testing."
Silence stretched. When Zeke spoke again, his voice was raw. "Have I cursed her? Made her into something like me?"
The pain in those words yanked her from unconsciousness. Her eyes opened, focusing on the sterile ceiling, then finding Zeke. His yellow eyes were rimmed with exhaustion. Dried blood caked his hairline. The anguish on his face made her chest ache.
"Not cursed," she said, voice raspy. "Blessed."
Both men moved at once. Zeke's hand found hers, calloused fingers trembling as they wrapped around her smaller ones. His skin was fever-hot. Familiar. Isan appeared on her other side, medical scanner activating.
"Don't move." The prince's fingers danced over the controls. Rings of blue light erupted around the bed, making her skin tingle. "I need complete readings... Zeke, get out of the way. You're corrupting the scan field."
"I'm not letting go of her."
"Your bio-signature is overwhelming the sensors." Isan's face tightened. "Unless you want readings on your spleen instead of her liver?—"
"Isolate my readings to a separate channel," Zeke snarled over his shoulder.
Isan stared at him. "I'm already regretting teaching you how the medical equipment works."
But Zeke had dismissed him, his focus returning to her. Those yellow eyes searched her face with desperation.
"Hi," he said softly.
"Hi."
The word came out on a breath. Tender. Like coming home.
"You saved my life." His thumb traced circles on her wrist.
"And you saved mine."
"No." His features twisted. "The legion did. I just sat there useless while you were dying. Couldn't do anything except hold you and watch you slip away."
She lifted her free hand to cup his face, palm rasping against day-old stubble. His skin ran fever-hot, and she let that warmth seep into her bones.
"You fought a feral twice your size. Literally tore him apart with your bare hands when he hurt me." Her thumb brushed his cheekbone. "You could've run, saved yourself, but you didn't. The legion is part of you, Zeke. Which means you saved me."
He leaned into her touch, eyes closing briefly before opening to argue again. She pressed her finger against his lips.
"Shut up and don't argue with a recovering woman, okay?" The corner of her mouth lifted. "Just tell me you love me again and kiss me."
