Kael’s POV

I woke to the smell of crushed herbs and the faint scent of her.

Lola.

Even through pain, I could feel her presence, steady and fierce. Her fingers were laced with mine, her forehead resting against the edge of the bed.

She’d fallen asleep sitting upright.

Guilt gnawed at my insides like a slow poison. I had promised to protect her, yet again I was the one being saved.

Her eyes fluttered open as I stirred. “You’re awake.”

“I should be asking you that,” I rasped. “You look like you haven’t slept in days.”

“I haven’t,” she whispered. “You were out for two.”

Two days. My mind reeled....