ELARA POV
Everything hurt.
That was the first thing I noticed when I woke up—not where I was or how I got there, just the pain. It felt like someone had reached inside my chest and squeezed my heart until it almost stopped beating. My muscles ached like I'd climbed a mountain, and my head pounded with every breath.
I blinked at the ceiling above me. White stone. Carved with swirling patterns that looked like clouds. Where was I?
"You're awake." Mira's voice came from somewhere to my left. "Thank the stars."
I turned my head slowly. Even that hurt. Mira sat in a chair beside my bed, dark circles under her eyes like she hadn't slept in days. Her usual neat braid was messy, with pieces of hair sticking out everywhere.
"How long?" My voice came out scratchy and rough.
