I’ve never felt pain like this. My brain reels as I fight for consciousness.

“What do you mean she isn’t awake yet?” Asher demands on my right.

Someone sighs. “These wounds are tricky. It’s hard to tell when she’ll wake.”

A light pressure squeezes my hand, and I squeeze back desperate for comfort. “Izzy?” Val’s voice is hoarse but hopeful, betraying her worry and longing.

I attempt to speak but only manage a low moan. Blinking, I squint into the bright lights of the ship’s infirmary. Val sits at my bedside, clutching my arm as she would a life preserver. Her eyes are red and puffy, but she smiles wide when she catches my gaze. Asher leans against the wall behind her, his stare intense.

A nurse hands me a cup of water. “This will help with the dry mouth, sweetie.”

“Thank you.” I wince as the cold liquid hits my throat. “What happened?”

Val’s lip quivers. “You fell and hit your head. There was so much blood. I tried to stop it.” She stutters and glances at Asher. “We had to carry you home. You’ve been out since.”

I try to sit up, but the pounding in my skull keeps me firmly in place. “What about the mission?”

Asher pushes off the wall and takes the chair on my other side, placing his hand over mine. “Jesse located five survivors. Once they were extracted, it was the challenge of returning to the ship. Luckily, we made it before dusk. They’ve been in quarantine until this morning.”

“That’s good.” I swallow past the lump in my chest, and blinking away the tears threatening to spill down my cheeks. Shame floods me; I was careless in getting hurt, and I put everyone in danger because of it. “I am so sorry, guys.” I murmur, avoiding their concerned stares.

Val rubs my arm. “Nonsense. It could have happened to anyone.”

Asher brushes stray hair from my face, his gaze soft. “I’m glad you’re safe.”

The doctor comes over, grabs my chart and scribbles something inside. “You took one nasty fall out there. We are going to need to keep you under observation for a day or two.”

Asher scowls but stays quiet. Val rubs her neck. “The bunk’s been lonely without you.”

I start to laugh and gasp as my world begins to tilt.

“You okay, cupcake?” Asher searches my face.

I nod tentatively, every nerve in my body sore. “Yeah, bad headache.”

The doctor purses his lips. “That’s to be expected, but if the pain becomes too much, let me know.” He taps his watch and walks to the next patient. “Visiting hours are over at seven.”

Val rolls her eyes. “Like he hasn’t been telling us that for the last three days.”

Asher strokes soothing circles along my palm with his thumb. “I’d better go tell the others that Sleeping Beauty is awake. Jamie’s going to want to visit.”

When he stands, our eyes lock. He hesitates, a question lingering in his features. I wait patiently, but he shakes his head and leaves. I turn to Val, who has a knowing smirk on her lips. “What?”

“He carried you back. Wouldn’t allow anyone to touch you.” She wrinkles her nose. “Wasn’t supposed to say that, but I’m terrible at secrets. He has it bad for you.”

Heat warms my cheeks. “Why couldn’t you tell me?”

Val shrugs. “The fuck if I know. Asher gets strange around you. He needs to express his feelings. That’s not hard.”

“Says you.” I scoff, snuggling further down in my bed. “You are fearless.”

She shoots me a look, her eyebrows arched in disbelief. “As if. Besides, he has nothing to be afraid of. You clearly feel the same.”

“It’s more complicated than that.” I chew the inside of my cheek. Asher’s kept most people at a distance since his brother’s death.

Val’s shoulders sag, a heaviness in her eyes. “I just wish it weren’t. You know?” Her lips curve into a sad smile, and she pats my shoulder gently before standing. “I should allow you to rest. See you tomorrow, okay?”

I squeeze her fingers. “Definitely.”

“Oh, and one more thing.” She grabs her bag off the floor, slings it over her shoulder, and shoots me a glare. “Don’t scare me like that again, or I will kill you myself.”

I can’t help but giggle as she saunters out of the infirmary.

Editor: Lucy Cafiero