The air was warm and heavy, wrapping around Raelynn like a thick blanket. Slowly, her eyelids fluttered open, the weight behind them making it hard to fully wake up. Her body felt sore —heavier than before—like all the strength had been drained from her limbs. The dull ache lingered in her lower stomach, a distant reminder of the pain that had ripped through her earlier.
Her lashes flickered as she tried to adjust to the light, but the first thing she saw was Elion. He sat beside the bed, his broad shoulders tense, the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up to his elbows. His face was pale, worry carved into every sharp line of his features.
The second their eyes met, Elion's head snapped up. His irises widened, flickering with panic. He leaned forward so quickly that the chair creaked beneath him.
