Kyra P.O.V

The darkness was soothing. It cooled every inch of me, leaving icy kisses along the skin that once seared. My mind was no longer on fire; instead, it was a pool of water: calm and still. I was okay here, I was safe. 

I was alive. 

Sounds came out of the darkness -- warbled voices I couldn't quite discern. I paid them no heed, though. I just remained afloat the waters, allowing the cold to seep into my body, cooling my soul and my mind. It was a place where time didn't exist, and neither did I, really; I wanted to stay there forever. 

Suddenly, something whipped out from the darkness, striking my core and leaving a dull heat in its wake. And then came the pain. Oh, god, the pain. It seeped from my core and spread to my extremities, radiating off my skin in burning waves. The calm waters around me began to heat up, and before long it was boiling.

I whimpered as the heat tore through, sending unbearable waves of pain through every inch of me. The voices became clearer -- louder -- and suddenly I could discern them.

"Kyra..."

I knew that voice. It was so familiar, yet so foreign, but something pulled me towards it. I was clinging to an imaginary rope, pulling myself against the rapids as they slammed and crashed, dragging me under. My muscles screamed in agony, but I had to get to the voice; I had to get out of here--

My eyes snapped open, a gasp ripping through me. White light seared my retinas, and for a fleeting moment I thought I was dead. I started to panic; I couldn't die, not yet, I wasn't ready--

"Kyra?" The voice was next to me now. I craned my neck, my heart calming as I spied a pair of familiar green eyes amid the white. 

"Look at me, alright? You're okay."

I nodded, gawking towards the figure as my eyes struggled to adjust. I could soon make out his sharp features, his long red hair, and lean body. My lips quivered as pain and relief alike swelled within me.

"Zion?" I squeaked, my voice quiet even to my own ears. I couldn't see the male's expression as he launched forward, gathering me up in a hug. My body screamed in protest, but I didn't care; I was alive; I was here, with Zion, with someone I knew. Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my hot cheeks. I felt a wetness form on my chest. "You're okay," he repeated, more to himself than me. "You're okay..."

Zion's body shook, and despite myself, I became worried. "Lord Zion?" I rasped.

"Drop the damned lord," he stammered, and it took me a moment to realize the wetness on my chest was his tears. He held me as he shook with silent sobs. I simply closed my eyes and allowed myself to take in his heat, his comforting weight.

After a few moments, he pulled back, bloodshot eyes staring into mine. "We thought we'd lost you," he whispered, his voice quaking. I'd never seen him so upset before, and seeing this side of him felt almost illegal. He was a rock -- my rock, in many ways, and to see him breaking down like this...

He shook his head, covering his eyes with his hands. "Kyra, all the medics were so sure you wouldn't survive the Burnout. Your temperatures were through the roof and you were having seizures every hour. We really didn't think--"

He stopped himself. He was rambling, I knew that much, but my mind was mush and I couldn't process what he was saying. I just remained quiet as he wiped away the rest of the tears, giving me a weak smile.

"But you're here, and you're okay..."

I nodded, and it was only then that I was reminded of the searing pain in my body. I hissed, Zion jumping up immediately. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I assured him. It was only then when I realized I was in the infirmary. "Everything just hurts."

He helped me lay back down, grinning despite his blotched cheeks. "That's an easy fix -- I can get you some pain medication for that. Stay here."

Despite my pain and atrocious state, an amused smile broke out across my lips. Where else could I go in my state? Maybe Zion was more discombobulated than I originally thought.

As he turned to leave, a sudden thought occurred to me. "Wait," I started, going to sit up, but, remembering my pain, lay back down. "How are Azure and Raina? Are they okay?"

Zion nodded. "Yes, they're fine. They've come by to visit you, especially Azure -- well, more than you'd expect, anyway. But I guess it's what to expect after what happened -- there's something about fighting back-to-back that creates an unbreakable bond."

My eyes widened. Azure visited me? I didn't allow myself too long to ponder on what that could mean. "And Azriel?" I asked, swallowing. Pain flashed through Zion's eyes and my heart dropped. For a fleeting moment, I feared the worst.

"No, he's fine." 

I blew out a breath of relief, a manic laugh escaping my chest.

"He's been here almost all day every day," he continued quietly. My laughter stopped. "He went back up to his room about an hour ago because he hasn't slept in three days. He's been by your side this whole time."

He paused, and I saw his throat bob. "He really cares about you, Kyra. He said he would like to see you as soon as you wake up -- when you would wake up."

Maybe it was my disorientated mind, but I could've sworn there was a certain pain to Zion's voice -- a tone of regret. Before I could question him any more, he was out of the room, muttering something about how Azriel would be overjoyed to see me.