Page 186 of Diamond Kisses

Despite being found at one and my father working in one every day, I’d never been able to get over the stench or the energy of the place. The energy of hope and loss, fear and prayer.

Henri held my hand as we followed Tess and Q.

We’d flown here.

By a private helicopter.

I knew Henri’s brother was loaded but until that moment when he shoved us into a helicopter with a sparrow logo on its tail and threw a headset at us, I hadn’t truly understood.

France had unravelled like a children’s story book as we flew to the roof of a hospital only to land and be immediately greeted by a doctor in a blinding white coat.

That doctor led our procession.

He hadn’t said a word, just nodded at Q and started walking.

Nerves popped in my stomach the longer we walked through a labyrinth of white, stark corridors. Nurses raised an eyebrow as we cut through their station then turned left and continued all the way to the end.

There, the doctor rested his hand on the doorknob and gave us a look. “I must apologise for the mix-up. We should’ve tried harder to confirm identities despite the patient being uncommunicative until this time. I’m not sure how such paperwork wasn’t thoroughly—”

“Just open the door,” Q barked. Stepping aside, he arched his chin at Tess to join him and added, “You two go in. We’ll stay out here.”

Nerves exploded into full-blown panic. “What’s going on?”

The doctor twisted the doorknob and pushed it open. “I think it’s best if you see for yourself, and then…we can chat.”

Sharing a worried look with me, Henri tugged me forward and we stepped into the hospital room.

Winter sunlight spilled inside, bouncing off pale green curtains wrapped around the bed at the end. Our boots squeaked on the linoleum as we made our way to the window.

Brushing aside the curtain, I made eye contact with the person sitting up in bed. An arm in a sling, and love in his gaze.

For a second, every part of my nervous system stopped working.

I couldn’t think or blink or speak.

I just stared.

At a ghost.

At a soulmate who’ddied.

A man who’d shielded me with his own life.

My fingers flew to the medallion-shaped scar on my sternum. Tears flowed quick and silent down my cheeks. I staggered forward. Henri almost fell over.

“I-Is this real?” I couldn’t trust my eyes until I touched him.

Until I knew for sure…

Hesitantly, fearfully, I stopped by the bedside and cupped the cheek of someone I never thought I’d see again.

His hand came up and covered mine.

His soft brown eyes gleamed with vitality and violent joy.

And then he tugged me closer and wrapped me in the biggest one-armed hug.

“Hi,jaanu…”

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