Pain.
That was Rowan's first coherent thought.
Pain.
Her head hurt.
Her face hurt.
Her wrist hurt.
Her ribs hurt.
Even breathing felt unpleasant.
For several seconds she remained perfectly still.
Eyes closed.
Trying to remember why.
The woods.
The rogues.
Celestine.
Evelyn.
The scream.
The brand.
Gods.
The brand.
Rowan's eyes flew open.
The sudden movement immediately sent pain shooting through her skull.
She hissed.
White ceiling.
Stone walls.
The scent of herbs.
The infirmary.
Relief hit her first.
Then panic.
Evelyn.
Rowan tried to sit up.
Instantly regretting it as pain shot through her wrist.
A sharp breath escaped her.
"Easy."
The voice came immediately.
Too immediately.
Rowan froze.
Slowly turning her head.
Kael sat beside her bed.
His clothes h
