Thunder crashed violently across the castle skies. The sound dragged Aire slowly back toward consciousness.
Heavy pain reached her first before her consciousness.
Aire frowned weakly beneath the blankets. Her body felt distant from her own, and even breathing felt exhausting somehow.
Rain hammered against distant windows.
Another crack of thunder rolled through the tower.
"Aire."
The soft voice reached her gently this time.
Aire's lashes fluttered slowly before finally lifting.
Warm candlelight blurred above her vision at first. The room swayed faintly around her until shapes slowly settled into place.
Madam sat beside the bed. Relief crossed the older woman's face immediately when she saw Aire awake.
"There you are."
Aire swallowed weakly. Even that hurt. Her throat burned, and she couldn't tell what was going on.
Madam carefully adjusted the blanket higher around her shoulders. "You frightened everyone half to death."
