“Okay, okay,” Luca said, cutting in gently. “Slow down. I need you to breathe. Just… take a second and talk to me like a calm, rational human. Like someone who’s going to be the queen one day.”
He said it with that signature Luca mockery in his voice—light, teasing, half-serious. And even though I didn’t want to, I smiled. Just a little.
“Please, Luca,” I whispered, letting the panic leak into my voice this time. “Just tell me. Is Asher okay?”
“Yes,” he said firmly. “Asher is fine. He’s going to be okay.”
I held my breath, waiting.
“There were some complications—something to do with his nervous system or whatever,” Luca went on. “I didn’t go to med school, so don’t quote me—but they had to put him under. He hasn’t woken up yet. But they’re expecting him to any day now.”
I finally let
