Fiona stepped to King’s bed and climbed up into it. Laying next to King, her wiry body dressed in pink sweatpants and a Powerpuff Girls T-shirt, Fiona looked more fragile than ever. But they all knew she was strong. She had proven that when she had faced down a one-hundred-foot-tall golem and saved all their lives.

“Remember, he can hear what we’re saying,” Fiona said. She turned to King’s face and said, “I love you, Dad.” She snuggled into him and felt a hand on her back, squeezing her tight.

She opened her eyes slowly as the realization of whose hand was holding her set in. George Pierce stood on the other side of the bed, his face smiling, his eyes wet. Then King’s other arm reached up and wrapped around her. She buried her face into his chest with a sob.

King was alive.

Her father was alive.

King opened his eyes. He saw Pierce first and grinned. “I heard what you said. Alexander won’t be happy if he finds out.”

Pierce shrugged. “What’s he gonna do?”

King surveyed the room, seeing Knight and Queen. Then he looked over at Bishop and eyed his mass of bandages. “No more regeneration?”

“No more regen,” Bishop said with a smile. “It’s gone.”

“And Rook?” King asked, looking at Queen.

“No word,” she said with a frown.

As he ran his fingers through Fiona’s hair, he asked her, “You’re okay?”

She just squeezed him in response.

“The docs gave her a clean bill of health this morning,” Knight said.

King’s eyes drifted around the room again, looking beyond the group. “Where are my parents? Do they know?”

“We haven’t been able to reach them,” Knight said.

As egocentric as it was, King knew his parents would be waiting by the phone for news. His mother always did when she knew he was deployed. And with them knowing exactly what he was up against and who he was fighting for, she would have—

A burst of panic made King feel queasy. He sat up straight. “Do I have any clothes?”

Fiona grinned. “I made them bring some. Just in case.” She pointed to the dresser across from the bed. On top sat his signature jeans and black Elvis T-shirt. He began to get out of bed.

“What are you doing?” Queen asked. “You just came out of a coma.”

King stood, steady, tall, and healthy. “Whatever he gave me has me back to normal. A little better than normal, actually, and I need to leave.”

King lifted his leg and unbuckled the liquid cast. After it fell to the floor, he wiggled his ankle. The apple seed was like a single dose of regeneration. He stood and bounced his weight on his legs. Never better.

“Where are you going?” Pierce asked.

“It’s likely there are other Ridley golems out there. If they know about my parents—”