[ Old World territories - We continue after a time leap ]
Autumn's eyes snapped open.
A sharp intake of breath scraped her throat.
Every inch of her body screamed in pain…her legs were heavy as stone, her back was like it had been flayed open, her head pounded in brutal, uneven waves.
She groaned, dragging both hands to her scalp, clutching at her hair as if she could squeeze the ache out.
The walls around her were damp, rough, and streaked with shadows.
Then came sudden footsteps. Urgent.
"Princess!" Orion's voice cut through the ringing in her ears.
She looked up, dazed, to see him rushing towards her with a battered stone cup in hand.
"Here," he said, dropping to one knee beside her. His usually sharp voice was softer now, trembling. "Here, drink up."
She took it without thinking.The rim felt cold against her cracked lips. The water was metallic, tasting faintly of stone, but it slid down her throat like salvation.
