Jade rushed to Lucius's side, wrapping her small arms around him. Despite the pain, Lucius gladly accepted the gesture. It was warm. A sensation that he hadn't felt since his mother held him as a young boy. He felt an unfamiliar sensation at the corners of his eyes. It was a strange, uncomfortable pressure, followed by something wet running down his cheek.
Lucius slowly brought his hands up and returned Jade's embrace. The young noblewoman gasped in surprise, but leaned deeper into their hold.
"You've been unconscious for nearly a week Lucius. A few times you stopped breathing. Some nights you would scream… what happened? Are you going to be okay?" Jade's voice broke into a series of sobs. Each word was barely intelligible, but Lucius understood her easily.
"I don't know if I will be okay, but I know that for the moment I am fine. Some things have changed."
Jade pulled back, shock covering her face. "You're crying?"
