Seraphira woke with a jolt.
For a moment she didn't know where she was, her vision swarmed and all she could register was the suffocating heaviness in her limbs like her body had been stuffed with wet sand.
When her sight finally cleared, she found herself beneath the Tree of Life again.
The sacred roots glowed around her, and when the healer commanded it, it slowly withdrew from her skin.
Zuru, the healer, was not the only one around, both Lilarin and Rhara hovered around her with faces tight with worry.
"Your Majesty," Zuru whispered, her voice filled with relief as she supported Seraphira upright.
Seraphira tried to rise, but she was weak, hence Zuru supported her, guiding her toward the small resting bed that had been set up beside the enormous trunk.
But she refused immediately.
"No," Seraphira rasped, brushing Zuru's hand away. "Do not coddle me. Tell me what happened." Her eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me that bastard Baron drained my power again."
