Page 114 of His Realm

Quick nod from him.

Being as I was not a regular human, the coma I was in would be different from the ones I’d seen friends in over the years. I was not in a hospital, no machines were chirping away monitoring my bodily functions like heartbeat, breath, and brain activity, there was no catheter, thank heavens, and most importantly, no slow waking. Not for me. It was simply time and so I’d opened my eyes since my body was now ready for consciousness.

“Where am I?”

“Here, with me.”

I grinned at him. “Where is here?”

“Ophir, though not in that dreadful castle.”

“It is dreadful,” I agreed with him and then had to ask because it couldn’t wait a moment longer no matter how afraid of the answer I was. “Is Zev alive?”

“He is,” he said with a glowing warm smile that was truly beautiful.

“And Tiago?” I held my breath.

“He lives as well, my consort.”

It was like a heavy weight lifted from my chest and I could breathe.

“Eris and Sibel have left this plane,” he informed me. “But I feel them still, near me, and speak to them often.”

I nodded.

“Their funeral rites were lovely and the prince honored them with a place in the hypogeum, beside where your ashes will someday be consigned. He has designated one for all of us, myself included, so we will be together for all time.”

The tears came fast and he was there with a box of tissues.

“Thanks,” I said after I blew my nose.

“It’s to be expected. The rest of us already shed our tears. You’re catching up.”

Big breath in. “Point me to the bathroom. I need to go.”

“Yes. Let me help you walk. You haven’t been on your feet in over a month. Your muscles will protest this much movement, even though I moved them every day for you.”

“Thank you.” I lifted my arm for him. “Wait. A month?”

“Yes, Jason,” he replied softly, sighing when I put my arm around his shoulders. “You needed to heal your grievous injuries, and for many, many days, everyone sat vigil.”

I had to ask. “There had to have been a catheter at some point.”

“Which the doctor removed yesterday before she returned to the palace.”

“Why?”

He squinted at me. “I asked her to remove it as I had a feeling you were ready to wake but told no one else in case I was wrong.”

“You’re never wrong,” I reminded him.

“No, I am not,” he affirmed, smiling. “But really, let us move slowly. You will not be at all steady.”

He was right, walking was not easy, and I had to stop and flex my legs, then wait because my right foot was asleep, which Dae-Jung thought to massage and I told him to keep his hands to himself because I didn’t want to hit him. His scowl told me he disagreed, but he waited with me, both of us standing still in the middle of the room.

Once I could move again, we made it to the bathroom that belonged in a five-star hotel. It was huge, bigger than mine at home, which was saying something, and had all the bells and whistles, like a huge shower without doors because it wasn’t necessary, gorgeous exposed stone like it was built into the rock, and a beautifully carved wooden bench I would bet was sealed so the water or steam wouldn’t hurt it. I appreciated it being there because after I washed my hands, I needed to rest.

When I opened the door, I expected Dae-Jung, but Brenna was there.