Amara woke to a pounding headache, like her temples were being squeezed by claws. Everything looked blurry. Morning light streamed through her window—but the edges of the room looked wavy, as if the air itself was shifting.
She blinked hard and sat up, reaching for the glass of water Lucian had left on her bedside table. Her hand trembled, and she spilled half of it across the sheets. The cold drop on her skin should have been refreshing—but instead, it made her feel hotter, feverish.
Every breath burned her throat. Her stomach churned. She closed her eyes, trying to steady herself, but the room spun, and she fell back down, breath shallow and shaky.
Desperate for answers, she stumbled into the bathroom and flipped on the light. The mirror revealed a ghost of herself: cheeks flush with fever, pupils rimmed in red, and dark specks—like tiny ash particles—clinging to her skin. She brushed at them, but they smudged under her fingers, leaving black streaks.
Gathering the little strength she had, Amara made her way to the main hall. Every step felt like walking through quicksand. She caught sight of Lucian standing at the other end, back turned, speaking with a guard.
She called his name, voice cracking. He turned instantly, concern sharpening his features. "Amara?"
She swayed. "Something's wrong… I feel strange."
His stride was swift, silent. He gathered her into his arms, lifting her as though she weighed nothing. "Stay with me," he murmured, voice taut. "I'll fix this."
He carried her to the infirmary, where the healer met them.
The healer knelt, inspecting her skin and the dark residue. "Poison," she said softly. "A slow burn. Someone meant to weaken you… or worse."
Amara's heart lurched. "Theo."
Sorry Lucian, but he is the only person that harm me right now in the palace without getting caught.
Lucian's eyes went cold. He took her hand, voice low and fierce: "You will get well. And he will answer for this."
Amara closed her eyes, chest rising and falling as the healer administered a bitter antidote. Through the haze, she felt Lucian's presence unwavering at her side.