Page 73 of Autumn L.A.W

Sahara stopped just inside the doorway and took it all in. “Well,” she said. “This is nice.”

“Good morning to you too,” Cal replied from the bed. Both legs were encased in casts that ran from just below his knees to well past his ankles.

“How are you?” Ezra asked.

“I survived an ancient entity, three witches—one of them Rayna—and an orthopedic surgeon with attitude.”

Lioness beamed beside him, coffee in one hand, clipboard in the other. “And you didn’t argue with the surgeon.”

“Because the surgeon had X-rays.”

Ezra stepped in behind Sahara, surveying the setup with quiet interest. “Efficient,” he said.

“That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said about my apartment,” Cal replied.

Lioness gestured proudly. “I spent the morning ordering things. Mobility aids. Bathroom safety rails. Things with warning labels.”

Sahara squinted. “You like warning labels now?”

“They’re suggestions.”

Cal cleared his throat. “She also reorganized my kitchen.”

“All I did was expand the spices,” Lioness said defensively.

“You weaponized the spices. I like heat, but I don’t want to put out a blaze on my tongue.”

Sahara snorted despite herself.

She turned serious again, her gaze flicking to the casts. “Both legs.”

“Both,” Cal confirmed. “Broken above the ankles, below the knees. Apparently, I went for symmetry. Without Magda’s healing help, I might have had double amputations.”

Ezra nodded once. “Lucky.”

“Hey,” Cal said. “You try lying here and letting someone tell you you’re lucky.”

“You are,” Ezra replied mildly. “Today you get sarcasm instead of a hopeless prognosis.”

“Progress, I guess. I had hoped they could add a couple of inches to the metal rods they installed.”

“I don’t want you any taller,” Lioness said. “As it is, when you can stand, I’ll have to be on tiptoes, and you’ll have to bend over to kiss me. I like lying next to you, pillow to pillow. Much easier.”

Sahara folded her arms. “So, Lioness. You’ve stayed the night?”

Lioness nodded. “And learned several things.”

“Such as?”

“I am not qualified to be a nurse,” Lioness said promptly. “And hovering makes both of us anxious.”

Cal raised a hand. “In my defense⁠—”

“You tried to stand up.”

“Briefly.”

“With casts.”