There was a guard at her door, which I appreciated. Selene wasn’t royalty, but because she worked so closely with me she could easily be targeted by royal stalkers, news reporters, treasure hunters, and random nosy people. A nurse was taking notes when we walked in and motioned for us to be quiet. Selene was sleeping and I was shocked by how frail she looked lying in the hospital bed. It was painful to see and I turned around to hug Max, but bumped into David instead.

His arms didn’t hesitate as they wrapped around me, and the warmth of his chest seeped through his shirt to warm my cheek. With one hand he tucked my head under his chin and murmured reassuring words that I didn’t quite understand in his deep Southern American accent. It was sweet, though, to have him comfort me when he barely knew me.

But he was trying—trying to get to know me, even after I had hastily thrown myself at him. And I liked what I was learning about him.

Once I had myself under control I let go of David and turned to watch the nurse change the IV bag before checking Selene’s pulse.

“She’s doing really well,” the nurse told me in Lilarian.

“Will she wake?” I moved to touch her arm.

“Oh yes. She’s just tired. Her body needs rest.” The nurse smiled at me before bobbing a quick curtsy. “Your friend is in good hands here.”

“I have no doubts.” I turned back to Selene and sat down in the chair next to the bed. “There are a ton of flowers in here. I didn’t realize you had so many friends.” The joke was my sad attempt to keep from crying, even though it was true. There were so many flowers stuck around the cramped room, it felt more like a floral shop than a critical care unit.

“Stop frowning.” Selene’s voice was a weak croak. She rolled her head to the side and looked at me with half-lidded eyes.

“Hey there.” I smiled down at my longtime friend. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.”

“That is a matter of opinion.” She frowned. “I feel like I was hit by a wine truck.”

“A wine truck?”

“Drunk and hurt.” Her eyes fluttered shut for a minute. “Sorry. Still tired.”

“Sleep. I’ll be here.” I squeezed her hand.

I turned the television to something other than the news and sat for a while, holding my friend’s hand while she snored softly. It wasn’t until the third episode of a nature show came on that she stirred in her bed.

“Go eat.” Her voice took on a stern sound.

“What?” My eyebrows lifted.

“You don’t eat when you’re worried. Eat something.” Her head rolled to the side gently. “Real food.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I couldn’t help my chuckle. Even now when she was recovering from a near-death experience she was trying to take care of me. I leaned over and kissed her forehead but she didn’t stir. She was already sound asleep once again.

“Cath, I’m going to go. I have some engagements to take care of, but I believe Chadwick and David will be staying for a little while.” Max touched my shoulder. Leaning down he whispered in my ear, “Maybe your new friend is hungry too. Chadwick could stay and watch Selene while you eat.”

“Thanks.” I reached up and touched his hand. I had a feeling that Max was picking up even more slack now that this had happened with Selene.

“Be careful with Tabitha.” With that last sentence, he squeezed my shoulder and left the room.

“Want to find the cafeteria?” David asked.

“Sure.” It was well after lunch and I still hadn’t eaten. Selene was right, I lost all interest in food when I was worried or stressed, but I’d try to eat something.

Chadwick settled into my seat as I left with David. I realized this was the first time we had been alone since he had asked for our date. Well, if you didn’t count the bodyguards following a few steps behind or the fact that Tabitha was probably lurking somewhere just out of eyesight.

“So does this count as a date?”

“I’m not sure.” He scratched his chin again and I wondered if he realized he did that when he was thinking. “Not exactly an ideal place.”

“Nah. There’s food, flowers, and zombies everywhere.”

“Are zombies a qualification for a good date?” He chuckled.

“Well, I hear that scary movies give you a reason to fake being scared and cuddle close.” I batted my eyes at him and he laughed.

“I have a feeling that you would be the last person in the theater to be scared.”

“I said fake being scared,” I replied. “Of course I wouldn’t be scared. A good axe to the head of the zombie and you’re fine.”

“Wow. That’s a bit violent, Your Highness.” His shoulder bumped into mine and I realized he was as close to me as he could be without actually having his arm around my shoulders.

“Well, a good shovel would work too. Something with reach, but not too long. You don’t want to waste time swinging something longer than you are tall.” I mimed swinging a bat.

“You’ve done your fair share of research on this, I see.”

“I grew up with two older brothers. They thought it would be funny to scare their little sister with horror movies, but the joke was on them. I wasn’t the one up with nightmares.” I nodded my head.

“No, I bet you slept with an arsenal next to your bed.”

“A big polo stick. They never snuck into my room again.” I laughed, remembering them running and tripping over each other as I swung my weapon. Mother had been furious, but Father had simply winked at me.