Lisa's POV
I sat on the edge of the infirmary bed, my hand still resting over my stomach even though the pain had dulled to a faint throb. The white walls around me felt both suffocating and strangely safe at the same time. Atlas had pulled a stool closer, leaning forward with that half-serious, half-playful look he always wore when he was determined to make me laugh. Kael leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, but his lips were curved in the faintest grin as Atlas launched into another ridiculous story.
“…and then he actually fell face-first into the mud, screaming like a banshee, while swearing it was part of his ‘grand plan.’” Atlas slapped his knee, laughing too loudly at his own story. “I swear, I thought my ribs would crack from laughing.”
Kael snorted. “You didn’t even he
