Then the dream-dragon instantly appeared along the White Cliffs of Dover. A beat later, it dove straight for the English Channel, and she screamed as the beast pulled up at the last second, skimming the water with its talons.
Daisy's voice filtered through once more. "Auntie Ivy? Are you okay?"
Then Zain's voice filled her ears. "Ivy, love, are you there? Can you open your eyes?"
Zain. She yearned to feel his arms around her, his heat and scent invading her senses.
But Ivy couldn't make her eyes work, let along move anything else.
Had she fallen into another bloody coma?
Someone touched her face. "Ivy." It was Zain again. "Come back to us, love. Please."
The gentle, begging tone of his voice didn't sit right with her. Zain was supposed to be strong and stubborn, and most definitely not pleading with her about something.
Maybe she was dying.
Rather than let the thought terrorize her, it only strengthened her resolve to open her eyes.
Concentrating, she imagined light invading her pupils, allowing her to see everyone and everything in the room.
After who knew how much time passed by, she managed to crack her eyes. And then a bit more, until light temporarily blinded her.
She blinked a few seconds before she clearly saw Zain, Daisy, and Freddie, all standing around her bed, looking down at her.
Zain was the first to speak. "There you are, my human. It's about bloody time you woke up."
She wanted to growl but barely managed a croak.
Smiling, Zain leaned down and whispered, "You can scold me soon enough, love." He gently kissed her cheek, the warmth of his lips on her skin giving her a rush of strength. "But for now, just try to keep your eyes open until the doctors arrive."
Daisy raised her hand. "I'll go get them!"
Zain said to her, "Take Freddie with you."
The pair raced out of the room, leaving her alone with Zain.
As she looked into his deep brown eyes, she struggled not to cry. She had no idea why she'd been out again, but now that she was awake, she was grateful she could be with her mate again. Maybe it was selfish, but she didn't want him to move on and be with anyone else since she'd barely had any time alone with him herself.
She hadn't even told him how she loved him yet.
After that, she'd be a little more magnanimous.
He stroked the hair away from her face as he said, "I'm here. I'll always be here."
Maybe some would think it was hyperbole, but she knew he'd been by her side as much as possible.
They continued staring into one another's eyes—Ivy trying to convey how much she wanted him to hold her and never let go—until a few people rushed into the room. Dr. Sid's brown eyes and pony-tailed head came into view first. "Move, Zain. I need to examine Ivy."
She expected Zain to growl, but he merely complied, moving so Dr. Sid and Emily could both be at her side.
Ivy wasn't sure if she should be worried about his complacency or not.
Dr. Sid spoke first, as she flashed a small light into Ivy's eyes. "Can you talk yet?"
It took a lot of effort for her to say, "No."
Sid smiled. "That was a word." Her face returned to its normal stern expression. "Since you're probably curious about what happened to you, I'll explain it all as Emily checks you over." As Sid recounted how someone had poisoned her, as well as the doctors trying the experimental cure, Ivy's jaw would've dropped open if she could've managed it.