Chapter 63. Learn From the Best

Sienna-Rose woke slowly, the world filtering back in piece by piece. The dull ache in her body reminded her of the purification ritual—of the torrent of magic that had drained her near to collapse. But the ache was not sharp, just a heavy sort of exhaustion that weighed gently on her limbs, like a thick wool blanket on a cold morning.

 

Light spilled softly through the sheer curtains, casting gentle golden shapes across the ceiling. Somewhere outside, she could hear birds chirping, and the rustling of leaves teased by a breeze. But none of it drew her attention more than the warm, small hand clasped tightly around hers.