Chapter 63

Lune’s eyelids fluttered, heavy as if weighed down by the fog of a distant nightmare. Blinking slowly, she took in the bright, sterile light overhead, the muted beeps, the soft shuffling of footsteps just beyond the door. As her gaze cleared, she felt a warmth surrounding her hand, strong and familiar. She looked down and saw Arlo’s hand wrapped firmly around hers, as if he hadn’t let go since she arrived.

A soft sigh escaped her lips, her voice barely a whisper. “I... made it.”

Arlo's head shot up, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of relief and amazement. The exhaustion etched in his face melted into a look of pure joy. “Lune… You’re awake. Are you... are you okay? How do you feel?” His voice was gentle but threaded with worry, his fingers brushing over hers with a reverence that made her heart ache.

She tried to smile, though every movement seemed to tug at an ache somewhere on her body. “I think so… Just a bit sore.” She let out a shaky laugh, her fingers tightening around his