Thalia’s POV
I woke up feeling… good. Surprisingly good, considering everything that had happened. The dull ache in my back was still there, but it was bearable now. As I blinked my eyes open, I realized I was in Zev’s room. The soft, dark tones of the room were a stark contrast to the harsh reality of the night before.
The memory of the lashes sent a shiver through me, but then I remembered Zev—his protective fury, the way he held me, the tenderness in his touch as he cared for my wounds. It all felt surreal.
I shifted slightly, and that’s when I noticed it—his scent still lingered on the jacket he’d wrapped around me. The warmth of it had helped me sleep, and now I wasn’t sure I was ready to let go of it. My fingers absentmindedly brushed the fabric, trying to make sense of the confli
