463 A Coward's Way Out

A sharp gasp rang through the room as Daphne's lips parted. Air rushed into her lungs as though she had been thrown underwater and was finally allowed to resurface right at the brink of death. Everything felt odd and fuzzy― her fingers were tingling, her legs were numb, and her back felt sore and was aching all over.

She instantly reached for her head. It was throbbing beyond belief, the back of her eyes burning as though someone had splashed alcohol into her sockets and left it there.

Slowly, she pried her own eyes open. They felt as though they were stuck down by a layer of sap and she needed to expend great effort just to take a peek at her surroundings. The first thing that registered in her mind was that this was not her room in Xahan nor was it an infirmary. Yet, the decor was so familiar that it was just at the tip of her tongue.