***
I jolted awake, disoriented and groggy, only to find myself cradled in Ethan's arms. His worried expression softened as he noticed my awakening, and his arms gripped me tightly as he helped me up.
"Ava, thank the stars you're awake," he murmured, relief evident in his voice. “I was beginning to fear the worst, that maybe you’d been captured or worse.”
I tried to speak, but my throat felt dry and tight. Ethan offered me some water, which I gulped down immediately, relishing the feeling of relief that washed over me.
“I thought I’d lost you,” Ethan whispered, clutching my hand as though his life depended on it.
“I’m fine,” I said. “We didn’t want to wake you up this morning when we left.”
“This morning?” he asked confusedly. “Ava, you and Esme have been missing for three days."
