The first rays of sunlight filtered through the thick curtains, gently caressing Miria's face. She slowly blinked, disoriented, her body still heavy from the aftermath of her captivity. A soft warmth filled the room. She turned her head and her heart tightened.
Asher was there, slumped in an uncomfortable chair beside the bed, arms crossed, head tilted in sleep.
A tender smile spread across Miria's lips. She reached out and gently brushed his hair, caressing the dark strands with infinite delicacy. Asher jolted awake immediately, eyes wide and alert.
"Miria…" he murmured in a hoarse voice.
Without another word, he sprang to his feet and pulled her into a fierce embrace, pressing her against his chest as if afraid she might vanish again. His arms trembled slightly around her.
"You're alive… God, Miria, I thought I'd lost you. I was so scared… If you knew how many times I imagined the worst. I never could have survived losing you. Never."
His voice broke on the last words. Miria closed her eyes and buried her face in his neck, inhaling his familiar scent — the only thing that could truly calm her.
"I'm here, Asher. I'm okay. I was scared too… scared I'd never see you again, never feel your arms around me. But we're together now."
She pulled back slightly to look into his eyes.
"Where were you? The day I received that letter… the one saying it was over between us. I knew you hadn't written it. I felt it deep inside."
Asher let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand through his hair.
"It's true. I didn't write anything. I was kidnapped."
Miria frowned, a shadow crossing her face.
"Ray… of course."
"Yes. But the most important thing is that he realized his mistake. He helped us save you. He redeemed himself, in a way."
Miria remained silent for a moment, then murmured:
"If you say so… I hope you're right."
At that moment, the door burst open. Katrina entered with a tray in her hands and froze when she saw her daughter awake.
"Miria!"
The tray nearly slipped from her hands. She rushed forward and threw herself into her daughter's arms, holding her with desperate strength, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"My darling… my little girl… You're awake! You're better! Oh, thank the heavens…"
Katrina pulled back to examine her face, her hands trembling as they cupped her cheeks.
"Are you in pain anywhere? Tell me the truth."
Miria shook her head, an emotional smile on her lips.
"No, Mom. I'm fine."
"Then I'm relieved… truly relieved."
Katrina then turned to Asher, her eyes shining with gratitude.
"Thank you, Asher. Thank you for saving my daughter."
"It's nothing, Kate. For Miria, I'd do anything."
Katrina chuckled softly, but her expression suddenly darkened.
"Since you all arrived… I haven't seen Klaus. Well… I mean, I've seen everyone except him."
Asher replied gently:
"He must be in his room. Gale told me he was injured."
"What?! He's injured?!"
Katrina's voice rose sharply, betraying a much deeper concern than she intended. Asher nodded.
"Yes, but I'm sure it's nothing serious. Still… you never know. Could you go check on him to make sure he's really okay?"
Katrina pointed at herself, surprised.
"Me?"
"Yes, why not? He was your bodyguard. Time to switch roles, don't you think?"
Katrina hesitated, blushing slightly, then nodded.
"Alright… I'll go see how he is."
As she reached the door, she turned back.
"Miria, do you want me to bring you something to eat?"
Asher answered first with a small smile.
"I already asked Kira telepathically. She's bringing food for Miria."
Katrina took the hint, nodded, and left the room.
The moment the door closed, Miria let out a long, theatrical sigh:
"Aaaah, loooove is in the aiiir…"
Asher's eyes widened in shock.
"What?!"
Miria burst out laughing at his expression.
"What? You'd have to be blind not to see the sparks flying between
those two!"
Asher chuckled and shook his head.
"And here I thought I was the only one who'd noticed…"