My eyelids were heavy. Darkness swallowed me, and when I woke, a warm, unfamiliar fragrance enveloped me.
Ruby’s palace.
Only then did I remember fainting in Vetle’s arms, losing consciousness.
This place shouldn’t belong to me. I struggled to sit up.
“Don’t move. Your wounds are serious.”
Ruby rushed to steady me, worry clouding her amber eyes.
I was used to cold stares and mockery; faced suddenly with gentleness, I didn’t know what to do.
She brought a bowl of medicine the Doctor had mixed, carefully lifting it to my lips.
I reached out on reflex. “I can do it myself—”
“You’re hurt. Let me take care of you. Don’t be stubborn, all right?”
In that moment, my eyes burned.
Ever since my “half-blood” identity was exposed, my whole family had left me.
Do I... still have a family?
