Once they parked outside the hospital, Xiran slightly shook Aselia again, swiping the loose strands of her hair from her face. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"We are here," she finally opened her eyes and looked around in bewilderment. Her mind not registering what was happening. Xiran sensed that she was confused.

"We came to visit Yurian," he placed his palm on her cheek so she would calm down, her heartbeat was so erratic as she seemed lost.

"Oh!" was all she could mutter and he gave her time to collect her thoughts.

She gazed at the state of her clothes, her jeans were bloody and torn and the oversized white shirt Xiran had lent her fell to her knees. She was sure her hair was a mess, and although most of her injuries had been covered with bandages by Silver Wolf, she looked awful.

"You look fine," Xiran seemed to have read her mind, for her apprehensions were clear in her eyes. Xiran alighted the car and went to her side before opening the door.

"Come," he offered his hand and she took it, still feeling disoriented. Rivan took the lead and they found Frila waiting for them at the entrance. Her worried face brightened up seeing her Señor and Aselia.

"My gosh!" she squealed and hurried towards them. She saw them holding hands and deduced Aselia’s memories must have been restored.

"It’s so good to see you. You remember me right," she jubilantly asked, stopping only a foot away from her. Aselia’s heart clenched seeing Frila.

"I do. I am so sorry Frila, about Carios," she took Frila’s hands in her and squeezed gently. Her eyes tearing up. Remembering how hard it must have been for Frila to hold herself together when they met a couple of months ago. Not wanting to reveal anything or leave a clue. Now she understood why she was always texting Yurian.

The radiant smile on Frila’s face faded and was replaced by a wounded one, she hugged Aselia not being able to hold herself back anymore as both male vampires distanced themselves from the ladies and let them have this moment.

"I can’t tell you how sorry I am Frila, it’s all my fault," Aselia whimpered.

"No, no, please don’t think like that. We would always prefer dying to hand over a loved one. My Carios died a hero and I can’t be more proud of him," the pride in her voice told Aselia how brave Frila was.

"Thank you for not hating me, Frila," Aselia broke the hug and held onto Frila’s hands.

"I can never do that, you are like a sister I never had," Frila’s words finally put a small smile on Aselia’s face and Xiran’s heart fluttered seeing her like that.

"How is Yurian?" Aselia finally asked.

"Still in a coma. Come I will take you to him," Frila guided her inside, Xiran followed while Rivan stayed put to answer some more phone calls.

Aselia’s heart was thumping so loudly as if about to jump out of her chest. She wanted to get to Yurian as soon as possible. Frila opened the door and both of them slowly followed her inside.

Aselia’s eyes fell on the bed where Yurian lay with his eyes closed, so many tubes and monitors connected to him. Esma sat near him; her eyes fluttered to Aselia and she gasped.

"My Leia!" she rushed out of her seat with her arms open and Aselia found herself sprinting to her. They tightly embraced each other amidst sniffles and happy tears.

"Oh my beautiful girl, I was so so worried. Are you alright," Esma squealed and then stepped back to take a look at Aselia, worries lined her face seeing her state.

"I am totally fine. I am sorry for making you guys worried," Xiran stayed near the door and keenly observed the petite woman who seemed to have gotten so close to Aselia. Frila stood behind them wiping away happy tears at their reunion.

"You have nothing to apologise for. We are never letting you go again, my heart would have burst if something was to happen to you," Esma rubbed her arms, her eyes roaming on her bandaged neck and bruised face.

"How are you holding up? And how is Yurian?" Aselia diverted her attention to where he lay unconscious.

"Still unconscious, we are waiting for him to wake up," Esma replied with teary eyes.

Aselia shifted from her position and approached Yurian, she lovingly placed her hand in his hair before lowering herself and softly kissing his forehead.

"Your big sister is here now, wake up," she murmured before stroking his brown hair and everyone silently watched her as emotions ran high in the room. Silent tears flowed down her cheeks, remembering he hadn’t hesitated for a second on seeing the enemy. He shifted and fought till the last ounce of strength.

His skin was warm, which was a good sign and the wounds on his face were healing. She stayed close to him, not wanting to move.

"Where is Razian?" Aselia finally questioned, not finding him in the room.

"He went home, they finally cleared it. He needed to check on Rony too," Esma informed her, stepping closer and Aselia wondered who had been taking care of Rony.

"I am sorry about what happened. I can’t erase the past but we have ensured nothing like that is ever repeated," Xiran finally stepped closer and spoke to Esma for the first time, and her attention went to the tall vampire with silver hair.

"Yes, I heard that the vampire responsible has been killed. I just want my boy to wake up," Esma answered, observing how his eyes affectionately roamed Aselia. He offered Esma a polite smile and called:

"Leia! Can we talk for a moment?" The way he had said her name told Esma he was not a stranger to her.

"Can we do it later?" Aselia asked not wanting to budge from Yurian’s side, as she stroked his hair.

"It’s about him. Hear me out. I will wait outside," he nodded at Esma with respect and, opening the door, stepped outside.

Aselia sighed and threw one final look at Yurian before shifting from her position.

"Who is he, Leia?" Esma asked, concerned. She had never seen the man before and his hair was exactly like the man in Aselia’s painting.

"He is complicated. I will be right back," Aselia squeezed Esma’s shoulder and walked out. Frila pursed her lips at her answer, sensing trouble in paradise.

Xiran was leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets, waiting for her.

"What is it?" she asked, approaching him.

"I think I know how we can heal Yurian and I have a hunch that he will gain consciousness as well," Aselia’s eyes brightened like two bulbs at his words.

"How?"

Xiran hesitated for a second because he knew she would want to go all in.

"I think you don’t know but your blood has healing properties. Every time I drank your blood after injuries or when my father used his power on me. It would heal me," he was a bit apprehensive telling her this because she had already lost so much blood. But he didn’t want her to find out later and in case anything happened to Yurian, he knew she would never forgive him or herself.

Aselia was astonished and for a second she forgot to breathe. He had never told her this before, another thing he kept secret in the name of protecting her.

"Why did you never tell me this before?" she demanded, a hint of annoyance marred her features.

"The need never arose."

"Or you wanted to keep this confidential in the name of protection," she accused, her voice a bit raised.

"I don’t see anything wrong with that," he countered, his hands balling up in his pockets.

"Of course, you don’t. It wasn’t your secret to keep Xiran. It’s my blood. You know, I can’t, I just can’t. I will deal with you later," she started moving back towards the room when his hand reached out and he grabbed her arm, halting her.

"You can’t tell this to anyone. Empty the room when you give him your blood," his voice was authoritative.

"I trust the people in that room and let me do what I want," she jerked her arm free and walked away from him. He watched her go with a perturbed heart until she disappeared into the room. His hands found his face and he rubbed them on it in frustration.

The things he would do for her, the extent he had gone to and would always go baffled him at times. She stirred so many emotions in him that at times he didn’t know how to channel them properly and the need to protect her was so overwhelming that he feared he was scaring her away.

With a heavy heart, he straightened up and made his way to where Rivan was and slumped beside him in the sitting area, wearing a scowl on his face.

Rivan side glanced at him before asking:

"Did you fight with her again?"

"She is being difficult as usual, I was only reasonable."

"I am sure you were. Still suck it up if you want to win her back. I saw how pissed she is at you, it’s going to be a lot of work and a lot less ego my man. Buckle up," Rivan sympathised but Xiran didn’t miss the amusement in his voice and wanted to strangle him right then and there.