Aliena woke to the sound of breathing.
For one disoriented moment, she thought it was her own, too loud, too close, echoing strangely in her ears. Her lashes fluttered as she tried to move, only to be met with the heavy, sinking sensation of a body that had not yet agreed to cooperate.
The ceiling above her came into focus slowly.
Soft ivory stone. Delicate carvings of vines and crescent moons. Familiar.
Her room.
"Oh," she croaked.
The sound startled her enough that she coughed, throat dry as dust. The movement sent a dull ache through her skull, and she groaned, squeezing her eyes shut.
"Easy, my lady, easy!"
A pair of hands appeared almost instantly, warm and steady, helping her lift her head just enough for a cup to press against her lips.
"Drink," Dinna said firmly. "Slowly, unless you want to faint again and give me a heart attack."
