He lowered his head to the edge of the bed, resting it there as though in surrender. "This isn't an order. It's a plea."
A soft sound stirred the heavy silence.
"What are you murmuring about?" came a faint voice...barely more than a breath.
Dimitri's head shot up instantly, disbelief washing over his face only to see Sorayah awake, her face pale, lips dry as tears rolled down her cheeks too.
"You're awake!" he gasped, overwhelmed with relief. Without a moment's hesitation, he leaned in and embraced her, pulling her gently yet desperately into his arms, as though afraid she might vanish. "You scared me."
"You're suffocating me, Your Highness," Sorayah murmured weakly, her tone dry but not unkind.
Startled, Dimitri immediately released her from his grasp, flustered. "I'm so sorry," he said, quickly helping her sit up against the pillows.
