Mira stood frozen beside the bed.
For a few long seconds, she simply stared at Kade's unmoving form, her mind blank, her heart pounding so loudly it felt like it might burst through her chest.
"…Why did you suddenly collapse?" she whispered, panic creeping into her voice.
He didn't respond.
Of course he didn't.
His chest rose and fell steadily, but his face had lost that sharp awareness from moments ago. His brows were relaxed now, lashes resting against his cheeks, looking far too peaceful for someone who had nearly died earlier—and who had just burned through the last of his strength on her.
Mira took an unsteady step closer and leaned down, pressing two fingers lightly against his neck.
A pulse.
Strong. Slow. Steady.
Only then did she finally breathe out.
Her legs felt weak as she straightened, one hand pressed to her chest.
Stella's voice chimed calmly in her head, as if nothing unusual had happened at all.
[Host! Don't panic too much.]
