The soft beeping of the heart monitor was the first sound Alea became aware of. Her eyes fluttered open, and the sterile white walls of the hospital room blurred into focus. A dull pain throbbed through her head, but it was nothing compared to the storm of emotions churning inside her.
She tried to move, but her body felt heavy, drained. Her hand instinctively reached for the side of the bed, and that's when she felt it—someone sitting next to her. A familiar presence.
Alea's gaze shifted, and she saw him—Levan. Her older brother, the one person who had always been there for her, even when the world seemed to be crumbling around them.
Levan's eyes were soft but tired as he watched her. He didn't say anything at first, simply taking in the sight of his sister, alive and awake. The relief on his face was clear, though he tried to mask it with his usual stoic demeanor.
"You're awake," Levan's voice was low, almost like a whisper, as if afraid to disturb the fragile moment. He reached out and gently took her hand in his.
"You're safe now, Alea. Nothing's going to hurt you anymore."
Alea blinked, still trying to process everything.
"Levan… what happened?
Where… where am I?"
"You're in the hospital," Levan explained softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "You were hurt, but you're going to be okay. Just rest, and we'll take care of the rest. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
Alea tried to speak, but her throat felt dry, her voice barely a whisper.
"I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"
Levan squeezed her hand, cutting her off.
"Don't apologize. You don't owe me an apology for anything. I'm just glad you're awake."
He paused for a moment, looking down at their joined hands before meeting her gaze once more.
"I promised Mom I would always protect you. And I failed you once before, Alea. I won't make that mistake again. I'll be here. Always. You're my responsibility, and I will make sure nothing comes between us again. Not Selia, not Varek… no one."
Alea's eyes filled with emotion. She could see the sincerity in his words, and in that moment, she knew her brother would do anything to keep her safe. For the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to truly relax.
"I'm not going anywhere," Levan continued, his voice steady but filled with love. "You're safe now, Alea. I'll make sure it stays that way."
Alea nodded, her eyes closing briefly as she let the warmth of his promise sink in. The fear, the pain, the confusion—it all faded just a little bit with the certainty that Levan was by her side.