Page 31 of Crowned

“Malia?” A familiar voice, tinged with shock and relief, calls my name.

Tears prick at my eyes and I blink a few times and turn my head to see Bhodi standing at my bedside, his eyes wide with disbelief. Behind him, Cove and Reef are staring at me as if they’ve seen a ghost.

“What…what happened?” I manage to croak out, my throat dry and scratchy.

“You’re awake,” Bhodi breathes, his face breaking into a smile. “We didn’t think…You’ve been in a coma.”

“A coma?” I echo, the word feeling foreign and unreal. That isn’t right. I was on an island with Vance. We met the queen. Everything felt so real, but it all sounds so surreal now, that I wonder if I dreamed the whole thing.

“Yes,” Cove chimes in, stepping closer. “It’s been weeks. We thought we’d lost you.”

My mind races, trying to piece together the fragmented memories. The last thing I remember is Yemaya, the courtyard, and…Vance. “Where’s the professor?” I ask, looking around the room as if he might suddenly appear.

“He’s not here,” Reef answers, his voice steady but concerned.

“Where is he?” I insist, firmer this time, panic bleeding into my tone.

“He’s…His body…He’s in the morgue, Malia. When you’re well enough we can take you to see his body…if that’s what you want.”

Disbelief churns in my gut. This can’t be right. Vance isn’t dead.

“No.” Tears well in my eyes as I shake my head. “He’s not. He can’t be.”

“We’re sorry, Malia.”

I refuse to accept what they’re telling me. They can keep their apologies. I don’t want their condolences. I want Vance. My rock. He can’t be gone.

“Malia—”

I flinch away from Bhodi’s touch. “Don’t.”

I feel guilty but I don’t want any of them to touch me. I just want Vance. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Returning was meant to be agoodthing. The five of us should be reunited. It’s meant to be a happy occasion.

Instead, my heart is breaking all over again.

I didn’t die and fight my way back just to lose Vance.

I refuse.

I close my eyes for a moment, trying to process everything. Should I mention Yemaya and the prophecy? I don’t want to sound crazy…and she said there was a traitor.

My gut knows it’s not one of these three though. But is it even safe to talk here?

I struggle to sit up again, and this time Bhodi helps me, propping up the pillows behind me. “How long have I been out?” I ask, dreading the answer.

“About eight weeks,” Cove says softly, his eyes filled with concern. “We’ve been taking turns staying with you since we found out, hoping you’d wake up.”

I look at each of them in turn, feeling a swell of gratitude and determination. “I’ve missed you all so much.” It’s not their fault Vance is…absent. They deserve to know how much I’ve longed for them.

Immediately, they shower me with love and attention. Bhodi gently squeezes my hand, his eyes brimming with emotion. This time I don’t pull away. Bhodi’s touch was the first to ever bring me comfort and it works again now.

“We missed you too, Malia. More than you can imagine.”

Cove leans in and brushes a strand of hair from my face, his touch warm and comforting. “We were so worried about you. It’s such a relief to see you awake.”

Reef, normally so stoic, has a rare smile on his face. “We’re not letting you out of our sight again.”

Their affection and concern wrap around me like a warm blanket, easing some of the lingering fear. “Thank you,” I whisper, my heart swelling with love for them.

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