It hurts.

That’s the first thought that comes to mind when you open your eyes—or more accurately, your eye.

The other one feels swollen and remains half-shut.

It isn’t only your flesh that aches. The pain has ripped through tendons and reached the marrow of your bones.

Your tongue stays glued to the roof of your mouth, feeling big, heavy, and absolutely foreign.

You expect to find yourself on the top of that cliff, but soft light greets you, followed by the very distinctive scent of amber wood. Sure enough, the impersonal wallpaper from Killian’s room slowly comes into focus.

“{{user}}?” Bran’s concerned face comes into view. “How are you feeling?”

“In pain,” you groan.

“Here, have some painkillers.” He fetches a pill from the nightstand and helps you sit up to take it.

Your head throbs as you swallow down the medication. Bran sits down on the bed and his movements are foggy, disconnected almost.

“I was so worried about you.” He carefully touches your arm. “Do you need anything?”

You shake your head, feeling the discomfort subside a little.

“Where’s Killian?”

His expression loses all softness. “He went after the one who did this to you.”

“No...” you let out in a breath.

“Unfortunately, yes. Lan went with him, and all his club’s leaders, naturally.”

You throw off the cover and attempt to stand. Obviously, you overestimate your ability to move because you fall right back down.

Bran catches you before you hit the floor and forces you back on the bed. “What on earth do you think you’re doing?”

“I have to stop them. They’re playing right into his hands.

He did this to lure both Killian and Lan out, to start a war and instigate chaos. I don’t want to be the reason for that, Bran.”

“I think it’s already too late, little princess.”

A lump catches at the back of your throat and you don’t know if you want to scream or cry.

The door opens and you both turn to find Killian standing there, one arm limp by his side. Splashes of blood cover his hand, neck, and the collar of his shirt, but his face appears clean, ethereal.