Chapter 24 –
Aria’s POV
The steady beeping of a machine stirred me from the darkness.
My eyelids fluttered open, and harsh white lights overhead greeted me. My mouth felt dry. The sterile scent of antiseptic hung in the air, sharp and cold. For a moment, I couldn’t remember where I was. My eyes drifted to the machines beside the bed, the IV drip in my hand, the scratchy blanket over me.
A hospital?
My breath caught in my throat.
What am I doing here?
Last I remembered, I was in my room. I had felt dizzy. Disoriented. Then… nothing.
Panic began to rise in my chest.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Mara slipped inside, still dressed in yesterday’s clothes, her eyes swollen from lack of sleep.
“Queen Aria!” she gasped. “You’re awake!”
“Thank Goddess, I was so scared yesterday
