My lips were dry. My throat, sandpaper. "Where…?" Where was Lucas? That was what I wanted to say but changed my mind.
"You're safe," Kieran said softly, his hand still hovering near my shoulder like he wasn't sure whether to steady me or hold on for himself. "You're in the healer's wing. You collapsed, you were um—screaming like something was tearing you apart. I was very very scared and worried."
I blinked slowly, trying to push past the haze in my mind. Everything felt... wrong. Off-kilter.
Kieran's eyes searched mine. "Athena," he said again, gentler this time. "What happened? Are you okay?"
I turned my head slightly. Two healers hovered at the doorway, uncertain, pretending not to listen but clearly clinging to every word.
"I want to speak to him alone, leave us immediately," I said, my voice hoarse.
They didn't argue. One gave a stiff bow. The other glanced at Kieran, then shuffled out quickly, closing the door behind them.
Silence pressed down.
