Ava's POV
That tone, the bubbly lilt in her words—it hit me like a gut punch, knocking the wind right out of me.
"Hey, how's he holding up?" she questioned, stepping closer to Zane, her gaze bright with curiosity.
While she spoke, her eyes scanned the area around Zane's bed, a blend of interest and something elusive that I couldn't pin down just yet. I shot a quick look at the healer, hoping she'd pick up on it too, but her expression only grew more shadowed with worry.
"It's rough," she replied, shaking her head. "The sickness is pushing toward his heart. I'm worried it'll turn even uglier by daybreak."
I gawked at this intruder, stunned. Who did she think she was, strolling in like she owned the room? And why did her voice ring so familiar in my ears?
I turned to Liam, praying he'd
