Lucas doubled over.
"—gh…!"
His breath hitched. His chest felt like it was being crushed from the inside, heat spreading rapidly from joint to joint. His fingers stiffened, trembling, as if they no longer belonged to him.
Liona froze instantly. "Lucas?!"
The plate nearly slipped from her hands. She quickly set it aside and rose from her chair.
Silvara moved faster.
"Lucas," she called sharply, already at the bedside in a single step. "What's happening?"
Lucas swallowed, but his throat felt dry and burning.
"…It hurts," he answered through clenched teeth. "Burn… inside." His breathing was broken. "…I can't breathe."
Every word came out with difficulty.
Silvara's expression changed at once.
Without hesitation, she turned. "Liona, stay here. Don't let him move."
Liona nodded quickly, her face pale. "Y—yes."
Silvara was already leaving. "I'm calling Healer Mae. Now."
The sound of her footsteps faded rapidly down the corridor.
