Chapter 48 Heartbeats and healing
Alyssa's POV
"What's happening?” I asked, as my hand glowed even brighter.
Zayne let out a small groan in pain but his eyes still remained shut. I closed my eyes as well, trying to focus on what was happening and not let all the questions and confusion distract me.
I wasn't sure how long it went on for…five minutes? Or more? My body didn't feel like my own anymore and it felt like it was going to give way anytime soon.
“Almost done." Nira said.
But my body had a different plan. One moment I was sitting down and the next, I was falling. But before I reached the ground, strong arms held me. "Are you okay, Luna?” He asked, and I opened my eyes.
"We're almost there,” Nira said weakly. I looked at Zayne and his wound was already closing and apart from the blood on his shirt, it was hard to believe that an injury used to be there.
If it was a dream, I didn't want to wake up.
With Xavier holding me firmly, I placed my hand on Zayne's chest one more time, warmth surged through me, stronger than I could imagine and it didn't take long before Nira’s tired voice told me it was done.
“Oh my gosh!" I heard Aria…or was Aileen, squealed, but their words faded as my vision blurred and that was the last thing I remembered as I felt myself slip into unconsciousness.
The next time I opened my eyes, I was lying in bed and my head wouldn't stop pounding. My body ached like I spent the entire night running a race. I tried to remember what really happened last night but nothing seemed to be coming apart from baking a cake with Lori.
I pushed myself upward, ignoring the pain that shot through my body when I did. “Nira, what happened last night?" I asked, but there was silence. And after about four trials of trying to get answers from her, I gave up.
Once I saw Zayne…Zayne!
And just like that, the image of him bleeding and gasping for air suddenly came rushing back. This time I didn't care about the pain and whatnot as I swung the door open, running as fast as my body would let me…which wasn't fast enough.
When I pushed the door to our room open, two pairs of eyes turned to look at me and almost immediately, they were by my side, worry evident on their faces. “Luna!" Tristan called, “you should still be in bed."
“Let me see him." I said, ignoring him. "Is he…” I couldn't bring myself to say the word.
“He’s alive, thanks to you Luna.” Xavier said. His clothes was still covered in blood that I guessed belong to Zayne. "I'm not sure how you did it, but thank fucking moon goddess you did.” He finished, the relief in his voice pushed me towards Zayne.
"Why hasn't he opened his eyes?”
"The doctor said any minute now.”
I sat beside him, taking his hand in mine, begging him to wake up…if not for anything else, for me.
“I'm sorry Luna," Xavier started, but my eyes didn't leave Zayne. “I should've protected him more, but he jumped in front of me before I knew what was happening."
That didn't make it any better, either way, one of them would be lying down here and fighting for his life. I'm not sure I preferred any. Xavier was like the brother I never had but always wanted.
Before I could bring myself to respond, to assure him that it was okay…kinda, Zayne let out a small gasp before his eyes fluttered opened and for someone who was close to death, they looked beautiful.
“Red?" He called softly.
I threw myself into his arms, wrapping my arms around him and he did the same. My eyes tearing up before I could stop it.
“You let her cry?" He asked, turning to the boys who didn't hide their joy.
“You nearly died, what did you think was going to happen?" I snapped before I could stop myself. “Sorry…I thought I was going to lose you.”
“I'm sorry." He murmured, pulling me in for another huge.
The door burst open and Aria and Aileen came running in. They both looked like they haven't slept in days but the relief was evident in their eyes.
Aileen threw her arms around him, "don't ever do that again.” She warned.
"I promise not to die.” He replied, "at least not yet…" I glared at him and he changed his mind. “I'm not dying."
The guys stayed for a while, talking as if everything that happened the previous day was only in my imagination and a part of me wished that it was.
“Can you get something for him to eat?" I asked, “something light."
Aria stood up immediately, “yes Luna."
“Red, I'm fine." Zayne said. “Can you send them out so we can be alone?"
I shot him a look in disbelief, it was either the poison affected his head or it affected mine by coming in contact with it. But the guys didn't wait to be told before excusing themselves, giving an excuse of having something to take care of.
“I missed you." He said, once we were alone, his hand caressing my face softly.
Aria returned with a plate of soup which I slowly fed to him, one spoon after the other and he didn't put up a fight. Once he was done, I stood up to clean the plate but I'd barely taken a step when his hand grabbed me.
“Come sit with me."
I swallowed hard, nodding gently as I placed the plate on the bedside table before climbing the bed beside him. I thought of several ways to bring up the conversation of his near death incident but I just stayed in his arms, resting my head against his chest.
“You need to sleep, rest well." I told him despite my own tiredness having slept for less than two hours.
He shook his head, “I'm fine, don’t worry." He assured me, “I hate it when you cry…I'm sorry.”
My chest tightened, I mean it wasn't his fault but considering how close I was to losing him, my feelings were all over the place. And I was still trying to understand what actually happened but now wasn't the best time…what it was, could wait until we were both well rested.
"We'll talk in the morning.”
He nodded, "I love you.”
"I love you too," I whispered, pressing my forehead against his. The words felt like a promise, steady and real, and for the first time in hours, everything around us seemed to pause.