Aiden's eyes fluttered open to an unfamiliar ceiling, faint beams of morning light streaming through the curtained windows.
The faint scent of medicinal herbs lingered in the air, and the low hum of muffled chatter reached his ears. As his vision cleared, he noticed rows of neatly made beds lining the room. He tried to sit up, his muscles aching with every movement, and that's when he saw her.
Ivara was lying on the bed across from him, her face turned slightly to the side, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Relief washed over him.
They'd both made it through the duel, though the sharp pain coursing through his body was a stark reminder of the fight's intensity.
"You're awake."
The voice startled him, and he turned his head sharply, wincing at the sudden movement. A woman with dark skin and kind eyes stood beside his bed, holding a tray of vials and bandages. She wore a crisp white apron over a pale blue dress, her every movement calm and measured.
