Gunnar
The ceiling of my bedchamber spun in slow, heavy circles, the chandelier's light stretching into long streaks of fire across the dark.
"Hold him still!"
Hands pressed my shoulders down, strong, broad hands that felt like paper against my skin. I surged up on instinct, a growl tearing out of my throat, and the movement sent a spike of raw agony straight through my sternum. My back arched off the mattress. My breath was cut out entirely.
"Crown Prince, please."
The Grand Physician's face swam into view, slick with sweat, his robes stained with spilled potions. Behind him the room was a chaos of white gowns and velvet cloaks, royal physicians, court mages from the eastern spire, holy healers pulled straight from the temple. The air smelled sickeningly sweet: crushed moon-lilies, b
