Chapter 48: Recovery

It’s the middle of the night when I’m awakened by movement and groaning. I prop myself up on my elbow, reaching over to the table beside me and flicking on the oil lamp. The lamp casts enough light to see around the room, and I look over to see Dominik, raising his arm and placing it over his eyes.

I smile, staring at him as he slowly awakens. For a moment, he lays there. Suddenly, he sits up, gasping and clutching his side. “Kaleigh!”

I shush him, placing one hand on his shoulder and the other against his side. “I’m right here,” I say, rubbing his back. “I’m right here. You’re okay.”

He looks over at me, wild eyes searching my face. It takes him a few seconds to recognize me and settle down. When he’s reassured that this is the waking world, he leans back against his pillow, groaning again.

“What has happened?” he asks. His hand remains pressed to his side. “It hurts.”

“A lot has happened,” I tell him. “For right now, you should rest.”