Helios's POV
I stood there, frozen in shock, as I took in the sight before me. Valerie was sitting up in bed, her eyes squeezed shut as if she was trying to block out the light. I couldn't believe it. She was awake.
I felt like I had been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me. I had been so focused on nursing her back to health, on willing her to wake up, that I hadn't even considered the possibility that she might actually do it.
And yet, here she was, sitting up and looking like she was trying to gather her bearings. I couldn't help but stare, my heart racing with excitement and relief.
"Valerie?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.
She slowly opened her eyes, wincing in pain as the light hit them. But as she looked around, her gaze landed on me, and a small smile played on her lips.
"Uhm" she whispered back, her voice hoarse from disuse.
