Vol.4/Chapter 5: A Renewed Dilemma

I woke up to the scent of dried herbs and simmering broth, the warm sunlight pouring through the window like a familiar embrace. My body ached, but it was the good kind—the ache that spoke of progress. Of growth.

Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I sat up slowly, realizing I was back in my bed. The soft blanket draped over me was Samira’s doing—I could tell by the faint floral scent and the meticulous way it was tucked. Sure enough, there she was by the window, humming a gentle tune as she sorted through her vials, as if everything in the world was as it should be.

“You’re awake,” she said without turning. “About time.”

I grinned. “Did I sleep all day?”

“Almost. You pushed yourself too far again,” she chided softly, finally glancing over her shoulder, her gaze full of quiet love. “Your body dropped like a stone after training. Rakthu found you in the middle of the field and carried you all the way here. Scared a few of the guards—thought you were dead.”