CHAPTER SIX HUNDRED AND SIX – GETTING BETTER

When Jasmine awoke, the quality of light filtering through the small window told her it was late afternoon. For a moment, disorientation gripped her. Then the events of the past days came rushing back, and she sat up with a jolt. "Sergei," she muttered, scrambling to her feet. She needn't have worried. As she entered the main room, she found Sergei awake and looking markedly better. Some color had returned to his cheeks, and he was propped up on pillows, sipping from a steaming mug. "Hey there, sleeping beauty," he said with a grin. "Thought you were going to sleep through to next week." Jasmine couldn't help but smile back, relief coursing through her. "How are you feeling?" "Like I've been trampled by a herd of reindeer, but better than yesterday. That old woman's got some serious healing mojo." As if summoned by their conversation, the healer appeared, carrying a tray of what looked like dried meat and hard bread. She set it down in front of Jasmine with a commanding gesture.