Just as my head tilted up, I found Bella standing at the foot of my bed, her usual sharp demeanor replaced with something softer—relief, concern, and something else, maybe fear.
“How long?” I croaked, my throat rough and distorted as if I’d swallowed ash.
“Four days.” Bella hesitated and said.
‘Four days?’ I retorted inwardly at the same time as what she said settled in my chest, heavy and suffocating. I barely remembered anything after the battle ended, only the fragments of the moment, Maeral’s power unraveled, the darkness dissipating, and the overwhelming pain before everything went black.
I reached up, rubbing my temples, but the movement made my vision swirled, at the same time, Bella appeared by my side and pressed a firm hand on my shoulder.
“Easy,” she murmured, her voice un
