Lucien's POV
The sharp, sterile sting clung to my throat, forcing my eyes open. White ceiling. White silence. A hand raised rested at my side, steady, grounding. I turned and found Aster in the chair beside me, his gaze fixed, his face pale with exhaustion. When he noticed I was awake, he stood quickly, leaning closer, relief softening his features.
"You're awake," he whispered.
Confusion coiled in me. How had I reached here? The last thing I remembered was sitting in my office, lost in thought; wondering why Ash was taking so long after asking permission to attend the family meeting with Aster. And why Adrian had been so silent since our fight. That wasn't like him.
Then came the knock. Routine, I thought. The teacher on duty perhaps, reporting on the day's activities. I had given permission to enter without much thought.