Page 128 of Heart of Thorns

“It’ll be okay,” the girl repeats.

Her name doesn’t fucking matter. She’s not Briar.

Eventually, a nurse comes in. She asks the girl to move back and steps in close, checking my vitals. She hits a button on the bed and slowly raises me into a more inclined position.

“Briar?” I whisper.

The nurse shakes her head and grabs a cup of water. She puts the straw to my lips, and the cold water simultaneously hurts and soothes.

“How—”

“I cannot release information about another patient unless you’re related.” Her gaze softens. “I’m sorry. How are you feeling?”

“Like I was run over by a truck.”

“You’re due for another dose of pain meds. The doctor will be in shortly. And this is your significant other?” She motions to the girl. “She said you were engaged.”

My heart stops, and I shake my head hard. A wave of dizziness crashes over me.

“She’s definitely not. I don’t even know her name.”

The nurse pauses. “Do you know where you are?”

“Hospital. Assuming in Shadow Valley still.”

She dips her chin. “Name?”

“Cassius Remington Thorne. The Third.”

“And the date?”

I tell her.

“You were intubated for two days. It’s now Friday. But, yes, you’re correct on everything else.” She faces the crying girl. “Miss, I’m sorry, but you’re not authorized to be here. Please come with me.”

She shepherds her out, ignoring her pleas and cries. My gaze floats to the ceiling, and I focus on my breathing for a long few minutes.

The last thing I remember is the fire. Theheat. It hurt to breathe, it was like the very air was on fire. And the fear of dying alone with Ben fucking Patterson.

But then Rhys was there, shaking me awake. He cut me loose and half carried, half dragged me away from the burning ring, to a patch of floor that hadn’t been soaked in gas.

Then he went back for Ben.

Rhys better be okay.

And Briar?—

A tear slips down my cheek. Why wouldn’t Briar be here? She would’ve kicked out that girl, easy. No questions asked. She would’ve been holding my hand if she was okay, and I would’ve feltrelief.

That seems far away now. My chest tightens, and it gets more difficult to inhale. It’s like a mountain has landed on me, the pressure intensifying. There’s a distant beeping, and my hearing goes out with awhoosh.

Then everything else fades, too.

“…it’s the immune system’s response. Inflammation is severe, yes, but it’s also expected. The intubation tube keeps his airway open…”

My chest rises and falls at a steady pace, the power of inhaling and exhaling no longer belonging to me. Helplessness and worry twist through me, and I panic.

Something cool spreads through my arm, and the darkness in my mind reaches up and pulls me back into its depths.

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