CLARA
The first thing I felt was cold. Not the soft chill of dawn, but a stabbing cold that pressed into my bones. My eyes flew open, and for a moment, I had no idea where I was. The chambers’ ceiling blurred above me, my head banging. My chest rose too fast, my breath jagged, like I'd been drowning.
I sat up quickly, clutching the sheets. My body trembled all over, and I couldn’t even say why. What…what had just happened?
The last thing I recalled was Rhys' words, his voice low and sharp. “Stay here. Don’t follow me.” His words had carried weight with an air of finality that I couldn't protest. But then–I recalled nothing else after that. It was as though a blank void swallowed the rest.
Had I fallen asleep? Passed out? My head throbbed, heavy like I had been struck.
“Rhys..” I wh
