34. Ivan

Kohl had been working overtime since Martha told us Cherish was returning. I slept for longer than I ever thought possible whilst he worked to repair my damaged flesh. Shifter healing can only do so much, I woke to find myself stiff, aching, and still covered in bandages.

I managed to get myself something to eat and have a wash before crashing out on the bed again, my back facing towards the ceiling. I was sound asleep when the crashing of Cherish bursting through the door woke me. She didn’t have to say a word, I knew it was her from the scent of berries that drifted across the air plus the way Kohl leapt to attention. He must have been exhausted from healing me, yet he was as active as a puppy in her presence.

“Ivan,” she whispered as I heard her footsteps patter along the wooden floor. The mattress sank as she lowered herself. I was swiftly confronted by the overwhelmingly gorgeous image of her blue eyes and blonde-framed oval face staring at me from the other pillow. My eyes sea