Ezra’s P.O.V
“I think I should stay the night.” I told Zoya right after dinner. “In case your fever returns or you run into some other problems.”
“Ezra…that’s really not necessary.” She looked up at me unsurely. “You’ve been here the whole time, since last night. I’m sure you have better things to do than to look after me. I’m a big girl.”
“Actually, I don’t. I’ve taken some much needed time off and you’re my top priority.” I reassured her. “Look, I’ll be right here, sleeping on the couch all night. In case something happens, just call me and let me help.”
“But-”
“I know you’re a big girl,” I stepped closer to her, placing a hand on her shoulders. “But I’m worried about you. After everything that happened, I just want to make sure that you’re okay.”
“Fine.” Zoya finally let out a big sigh, giving into my persistence. “If you say so. I’m…sorry that the couch isn’t going to be all that comfortable.”
“It’s good enough for me, trust me.”
As night descended, I settled into the cozy embrace of the living room, hoping for a peaceful rest, my tired body sinking into the softness of the couch.
Zoya had been wrong. The couch wasn’t uncomfortable. A tiny bit small considering how my feet were dangling over the side just a tiny bit, but overall, the couch was nice enough for me to have a good rest.
As I lay there, the weariness of the day weighed upon me, lulling me into a state of tranquility. The rhythmic ticking of the wall clock echoed in my ears, a gentle lullaby guiding me towards slumber.
The room itself exuded a sense of familiarity, every corner imbued with Zoya's essence, even though she had only been here for a relatively short amount of time.
My eyes grew heavy as I let my thoughts wander, reflecting upon the tumultuous events that had unfolded.
I replayed every interaction, every moment of vulnerability and uncertainty this morning. Telling Zoya about my father, about my past, it had seemed natural. I had only been able to get this familiar with Lily once we were mated and Lily had been my childhood friend, someone who had witnessed my trials and my perils since an early age.
But with Zoya, I was finding a kind of comfort that didn’t feel rushed or forced. It was natural. And it made me worried about her fitting so well into my world. She was human after all. How much pressure could she take? How much of my world could she really fit into?
In the silence of the cabin, my breathing slowed, and the world around me faded into a gentle blur.
Pushing aside all other thoughts, I finally welcomed the embrace of sleep, a respite from the relentless stream of thoughts and emotions.
As my eyelids grew heavier, my consciousness ebbed and flowed, teetering on the edge of dreams.
Fragments of visions danced before my closed eyes, fleeting images of an uncertain future, intermingled with the echoes of past memories. I saw my mother. My family. My love.
A gentle sigh escaped my lips, releasing the tension that had taken residence within me.
However, as I drifted closer to slumber, a piercing cry of agony shattered the silence, jolting me into alertness.
What’s happening?
I jolted up on the couch, my mind trying to process what was happening as I looked around the cabin for any signs of an attack or anything that seemed out of the ordinary. But everything was just as I had left it and nothing seemed to be wrong inside the cabin. Still, I didn’t lower my guard.
Panic coursed through my veins, and my heart pounded in my chest. I strained my ears until I recognized the source of the sound.
It was Zoya — I could recognize her voice even through the walls, even from afar. Concern for her well-being overwhelmed me, pushing me to my feet.
Without a second thought, I rushed to her door, my hand trembling as I knocked, desperation tinging each rap. "Zoya," I called out, my voice laced with worry. "Are you alright? Please, let me in."
Silence hung in the air, broken only by the sound of my own racing heartbeat and her labored breath. Frustration and fear intermingled within me as I strained to hear any response from the other side.
I couldn't bear the thought of her suffering alone, locked behind that door. What was happening to her? Why was she in pain?
Did she fall? Was she running a fever? Did Silas come back for her?
God, should I bust this door down? I could easily tear down this door with my strength but I was worried if she was descent or not. I needed to know if she was okay.
Seconds felt like an eternity, and just as I was about to consider forcing my way in, the door slowly creaked open.
Zoya's face appeared, pale and drenched in sweat, a clear sign of the torment she had endured. She was clutching her chest, her breath labored as she looked at me like she was about to pass out.
"Zoya, what's happening? How can I help you?" I implored, fear filling my gut as I took her into my arms. “Come on, you need to go back to bed.”
I wanted nothing more than to ease her suffering, to be the source of comfort she needed. It pained me to see her in pain. But at the same time, I felt utterly helpless.
Zoya clung to me, and I wrapped my arms around her tightly as I escorted her to the edge of the bed and set her down on it.
"Ezra, I don't know what's wrong. The pain...it's unbearable," she managed to say through clenched teeth.
My heart ached at the sight of her distress, my protective instincts kicking into high gear. "Stay right here, Zoya. I'll call for a doctor. They'll know what to do," I assured her. Even though I knew she was a doctor herself, I highly doubted that Zoya was in any way capable of a self diagnosis.
With urgency fueling my steps, I retrieved my phone from the living room and went to call for Cam, but my hands stopped right before I could press the call button.
Something didn’t feel right about this whole situation…
I couldn’t quite place my finger to it, but something about this felt familiar and yet, I had no clue as to what was going on.