Zayn's POV
Nasya came crashing through the undergrowth, her hair wild, her face pale with terror. The moment she spotted us, her knees nearly gave out with relief.
"Mommy!" Joanna wriggled to be put down and ran to her mother on unsteady legs. Nasya dropped to her knees and gathered the girl close, her entire body trembling as she rained kisses over her daughter's dirty face.
"Thank God, oh thank God," she sobbed, clutching Joanna like she might vanish. Then her eyes found mine over Joanna's head, brimming with tears and something else I couldn't name. "Zayn, I - "
"Orion's already back at base with Maximus," I cut in, suddenly uncomfortable with the intensity of her gratitude. "He's running a fever but otherwise unharmed."
Nasya nodded, swallowing hard as she gathered Joanna closer. "Thank you," she whispered, the words thick with emotion. "I don't know what I would have - "
