He was afraid to touch her standing at the bedside and listening to her steady heartbeat.

"Thump! Thump,"

He felt a tiny hope creep into his agitated heart. She was alive and that was what mattered most right now. Her hands and arms were bandaged and he knew that the incident will not only leave marks on her skin but also her heart, mind and most disturbingly, her soul.

He wanted to stroke her hair and caress her cheek just to let her know he was there and she was safe now. But he restrained himself and just stood there watching her for a long time. A nurse brought him a chair to sit in when she came to check her vitals and give her more pain meds.

He sat down placing his head near her bandaged hand, the tip of his nose slightly touching her baby finger. He just wanted to feel her, even a tiny bit of her was sufficient.

Frila came to check up on them. She brought him food and some blood to drink, but he refused. The night matured into the morning but there was no sleep in his eyes. She didn’t stir the whole night and he didn’t take his eyes off her.

Rivan brought him a glass of blood in the morning and didn’t take no for an answer. He stood there until Xiran drank every last drop.

"Go, get fresh. I will stay here until you return." Rivan offered.

"I am not going anywhere until she wakes up." Rivan sighed at his expected answer.

"I am going to go catch up with some work. I will update you once you are in a better state of mind. Don’t overexert yourself." Rivan instructed him before leaving.

Dr Wanstine visited several times to check up on her as well and was satisfied with her condition.

"I am changing her meds now, hopefully, she will wake up soon." Dr Wanstine updated and Xiran nodded.

The morning transitioned into the afternoon and then evening but the only movements Aselia made were grimaces and twitches, showing she was in pain. Xiran would instantly call a nurse and would instruct to give her more pain meds. And the nurse would tell him that pain meds can only be administered at a specific time.

Every time she winced it clutched at his heart as if he was experiencing the same pain she has been going through. Sometimes he would pace the room, other times he would stand near her thinking of touching her and then pulling his hand away.

She grimaced again and he just couldn’t take it anymore so very carefully he touched her face, uninjured left side. Gradually, she calmed down and her expression became peaceful again. He sighed with relief and his heart was filled with warmth as he watched her sleep in a tranquil state.

The night came and Aselia stirred again. Xiran quickly got up and rushed to her side. Her eyes fluttered for a while and then she slowly opened her eyelids.

It took her a minute to get her bearings right. Her body and brain felt drugged and it was hard for her to keep her eyes open.

"Hey... you are awake." She heard his soft voice and her gaze instantly went to him. She tried to smile weakly at his expression which resonated as if someone had died.

"I am not dead yet, don’t look so glum." She slowly spoke to him. That made him scowl even more.

"I am sorry Aselia I couldn’t protect you." He placed his hand on her forehead and she felt a relief wash over her from his soothing voice and she felt calm and safe.

Dr Wanstine had arrived after learning Aselia was awake so Xiran stepped back to give her the space.

"How are you feeling?" Dr Wanstine smiled reassuringly at Aselia.

"Sleepy, tired and immobilised."

"What about pain?"

"A little all over, but it’s bearable."

"Considering the number of injuries your body underwent, it’s not surprising. But you are already on the road to recovery. You are already healing." Dr Wanstine was impressed by the progress.

"Yes, elves heal a bit faster than humans due to their different anatomy." Aselia tried to smile.

"But it will still take a lot of time for you to get back on your feet. So for now all you need is rest."

"Xiran, she needs her strength, so make sure she gets proper rest." Dr Wanstine instructed before leaving. Xiran nodded with a solemn expression, his lips making a thin line.

"So I met your family, although I wish it was under better circumstances." Xiran jerked his head toward her, the softness he held a while ago had evaporated and was replaced by revulsion.

"I wish you had never met them." His gaze was fixed on her, his face reflected hatred, not for her but his family.

"Thank you! for saving my life. I owe you." She smiles weakly.

"It shouldn’t have gone to this extent." His hands were clenched in tight fists and she could sense he was trying to restrain himself. She tried to get up and he instantly moved forward to restrain her from doing that.

"No, No, No, don’t move. You have fractured ribs and stomach wounds. So keep laying down for now." He gently laid her back on the bed.

"Uggh, no wonder it hurts when I move. Too bad seems like I can’t even eat. I am hungry." Xiran finally smiled at her words, of everything she went through her grievance was about not being able to eat.

"Just for a few days, until your intestines heal. Then you can eat, I promise I will bring you all the delicious meals of the world." He was cupping her face right now.

"Really?" Her eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Yes,"

"Well, I guess it will be worth the wait then." She smiled, he was in utter disbelief at the immense strength and positivity she was showing. Any other girl would have been wailing at what she went through. How was she this brave? Why wasn’t she venting out her anger on him?

"Aselia, sleep now. Don’t tire yourself, your body needs rest to heal. We will discuss everything once you are healed properly. I am not going anywhere."

She wanted to touch his hand which was resting on her face. But both her arms and hands were bandaged and she was sure her right hand was broken. So she just stared at him for a while with thankful eyes, until she began to feel drowsy again and shifted to the realm of dreams.