The first thing I felt when I woke was warmth.
Not the warmth of sunlight.
Something softer.
Steadier.
A hand wrapped around mine.
I opened my eyes slowly.
The ceiling above me was unfamiliar for a moment.
Then memory returned.
The village.
The fire.
The shield.
The pain.
Kael.
I turned my head.
He was sitting beside the bed.
Still wearing the same clothes from the battle.
His hair was disheveled.
There was dried blood on his sleeve.
His eyes were closed.
But his hand was still holding mine.
He hadn't left.
I tried to move.
His eyes opened immediately.
"Lyra."
His voice was rough.
Like he hadn't slept.
I swallowed.
"How long?"
"Almost a day."
My eyes widened.
"A day?"
"You've been unconscious since yesterday."
I tried to sit up.
Pain shot through my body.
