Chapter 138

Emily’s POV

Beep.

That stupid sound again. I wanted to rip the machine off the wall. The noise kept dragging me upward through the heavy fog of sleep, no matter how badly I wanted to stay under.

Finally, I forced my eyes open.

Soft hospital lights blurred above me at first. Then, slowly, Nathan came into focus sitting right beside the bed.

“Emily.”

The sheer relief in his voice made my chest ache. He leaned closer, his hand sliding carefully into my hair. “How many times are you planning to scare me like this?”

I tried to smile, but it felt weak.

“Depends.” My voice sounded rough, scratchy. “How dramatic were you this time?”

Nathan looked deeply offended. “I was perfectly calm.”

“Liar.”

“Massive liar,” Nyx agreed sleepily inside my head.

Nathan let out a shaky breath before pressing his forehead against mine.

“You are never touching that dagger again until w