Chapter 287: Healing

~ ZEV ~

The first instinct he had as he was rolling out of sleep was to reach for Sasha. But when his arm found only cold, empty furs, he grunted and rolled onto his back.

Before he'd even opened his eyes, he knew he was healing. The sharp burn in his side was gone. His body felt… moderate. And the overall pain was far less. He'd been so tired last night after the walk, he'd been afraid he'd done himself harm. But instead, as he opened his eyes and sat up, taking a deep breath of the forest air, only slightly damp from the cave, he felt like himself again. Almost.

The ache for Sasha was more painful than the ache in his side.

"Good morning," a deep voice growled from behind him. Zev turned, twisting his body to see. Even though his ribs complained, it was a little ache, not the grabbing pain he'd had the past few days.