Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 274

Xena's POV

Consciousness crept back slowly, like swimming up from the bottom of a dark ocean. The first thing I noticed was the sterile smell-antiseptic, clean sheeti that unmistakable hospital scent that seemed to cling to everything. My mind felt foggy, wrapped in cotton, but gradually the fog began to lift. I was alive Somehow, impossibly, I was alive.

I struggled to open my eyes, the bright light stabbing through my skull like needles, Sunlight streamed through a window, painting golden squares across the white hospital room. As my vision cleared, I became aware of a weight beside my bed. Someone was there, slumped forward with their head resting on their arms.

With tremendous effort, I lifted my head slightly to get a better look.

Ryder.

My heart stopped for a moment before hammering against my ribs. He was asleep, his blond hair falling across his forehead, exhaustion etched into every line of his face. The sight of him here, real and breathing. My world, which had been nothing but pain and darkness, suddenly burst back into color.

it. I had survived. I was looking at the person I had missed more

wave, so pure and intense

gathered in my eyes, hot and uncontrollable, spilling down my cheeks onto the hospital pillow. I tried to

over again. That was it-the dam burst completely. I

shook as he gently wiped away my tears, his touch feather-light against my skin. "You did

a tender kiss to my forehead, and I felt some of the terror finally leave my

love you so much," I whispered

like he was afraid I might disappear. I melted into his embrace, feeling safe and whole for the first time since this nightmare began. His heartbeat was steady beneath my ear, real and

looks like I'm interrupting something," Logan's teasing voice came from

back, his arms reluctant to release me. At the sound of my brother's voice, the emotions I'd just managed to control came crashing back. Fresh tears pooled in my eyes as I looked

into a crybaby," Logan said,

I protested through my tears, which only made