Chapter 52

Elena's POV

He handed me a mug. "You okay?"

I took it, fingers curling around the ceramic. "Not really. But seeing you helps."

He studied me for a second, then opened his arms. I stepped into them without hesitation.

"I should've come sooner," I mumbled into his shoulder.

"I'm glad you came now," he said.

And for a few minutes, I just stayed there—eyes closed, breathing in the comfort I'd missed more than I realized.

I pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at him.

"How's the wound?" I asked, my voice quiet.

He gave a small shrug, like it was nothing, but I saw the flicker of pain in his eyes. "Healing. Slowly. The doctors say I'm stubborn, so that's either helping or making it worse."

I frowned. "You were stabbed, Cal. That's not something to brush off."

His smile was gentle. "I'm breathing, aren't I? Besides, you were the one who saved me—again."