When he came to, his eyes widened instantly, darting left and right.
Nothing looked familiar.
A cold feeling sank in his stomach. The room was too clean, too bright. Too quiet.
But the moment the sharp ache pulsed through his abdomen, everything returned at once—the dragon Liam was supposed to defeat, its tail striking him, the ground vanishing beneath his feet, then darkness swallowing him whole.
His breathing hitched.
With trembling fingers, he reached for his stomach. Sweat slid down his temples, dripping to the floor.
Fear wrapped around him all over again.
He forced himself upright, only to feel the tight pull of bandages around his head. He hadn't even noticed them. He didn't care. He swung his legs off the bed, trying—desperately—to stand.
His body failed him immediately.
His knees collapsed, sending him crashing onto the floor. A harsh cry escaped his lips. Pain shot through every part of him, blurring his vision, numbing his hands.
But he still pushed forward.
