Nora's POV
James pulls me close and leans down for a kiss. At the last moment, I twist my head away as another coughing fit hits me.
"Sorry," I rasp between the harsh coughs that tear at my throat.
"Don't apologize. Are you hurt?" James grasps my hands and helps me stand slowly. "You sound terrible."
"I breathed in too much smoke." The world tilts as I get to my feet, and I grip James's hands tighter to keep from collapsing. Without hesitation, he sweeps me into his arms. Usually I'd fight being carried like this, but I don't have the energy to argue. Besides, I'm not convinced my legs would hold me up anyway.
My head feels like it's floating and everything seems to spin around me. The smoke inhalation is bad enough, but whatever magical force I just unleashed has left me completely drained. I've never felt anything like it.
